CHC08 Community Services Training Package CHCORG303A Participate in the work environment Learner guide Version 1 Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit Meadowbank Product Code: 3041
Acknowledgments The TAFE NSW Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank would like to acknowledge the support and assistance of the following people in the production of this learner resource guide: Writer: Jenny Jesson Teacher, Child and Family Services TAFE NSW Contributors: Cath Quinlan Michelle Jennings Maree Aldwinckle Teachers, Child and Family Services TAFE NSW Reviewer: Roslyn Hodgson Teacher, Children and Family Services TAFE NSW Project Manager: Gail Horwood A/Education Programs Manager TAFE NSW Enquiries Enquiries about this and other publications can be made to: Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank Meadowbank TAFE Level 3, Building J, See Street, MEADOWBANK NSW 2114 Tel: 02-9942 3200 Fax: 02-9942 3257 The State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Training, TAFE NSW, Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank, 2009. Copyright of this material is reserved to TAFE NSW Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank. Reproduction or transmittal in whole or in part, other than for the purposes of private study or research, and subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, is prohibited without the written authority of, TAFE NSW. Training and Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank. ISBN 978-1-74236-066-9 Developed by Training & Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank TAFE NSW 2009
Table of contents INTRODUCTION... 8 1. General introduction... 8 2. Using this learner guide... 8 3. Prior Knowledge and Experience... 10 4. Unit of competency overview... 10 5. Assessment... 14 SECTION 1 WORKING EFFECTIVELY IN THE COMMUNITY SERVICES INDUSTRY... 16 Working in the Children s Services Profession... 16 What is the Community Services Industry?... 16 What is the Community Services industry like for workers?... 18 Types of Child Care Services... 19 What do Children s Services workers do?... 20 Job descriptions... 25 How do I prioritise my responsibilities?... 34 Working according to set Awards and Conditions... 37 What is the Industrial Relations System and how does it work?... 38 The new Fair Work system... 39 Award Conditions and Pay... 41 On the Fair Work Online Website they refer to the following:... 45 Work practices to be wary of or what s not okay?... 45 Undue influence or pressure & coercion... 45 What role do unions play?... 46 SECTION 2 ESTABLISHING YOUR CAREER AND DEVELOPING YOUR WORK PERFORMANCE... 48 How do I develop my work performance?... 48 SECTION 3 WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHERS... 58 Developed by Training & Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank TAFE NSW 2009
Working in a team... 58 Your role and responsibilities and that of the team... 61 Effective communication and information sharing... 62 Conflict resolution and problem solving... 65 Respecting other workers... 67 SECTION 4 CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF AN ORGANISATION 76 Element and performance criteria:... 76 Policies and practices in community service organisations... 76 Expressing concerns and making suggestions... 79 Participating in meetings... 82 ANSWERS TO ACTIVITIES... 84 GLOSSARY... 87 RESOURCES... 93 Essential resources... 93 Other resources... 93 Journals... 96 Organisations and web sites... 96 REFERENCES... 97 RESOURCE EVALUATION FORM... 98 Developed by Training & Education Support Industry Skills Unit, Meadowbank TAFE NSW 2009
Section 1 Working effectively in the community services industry Element and performance criteria: 1. Contribute to the effective operation of the workgroup 1.1 Identify own job responsibilities and their contribution to service delivery 1.2 Work within defined job role and responsibilities 1.3 Seek assistance and direction and obtain as required 1.4 Work in a manner that complements that of others according to policies and rules of workplace practice 1.5 Complete activities to standard expected in workplace 1.6 Carry out set tasks in a positive and courteous manner 1.7 Identify resources needed to carry out own work duties 1.8 Deal with shortages of resources according to organisation practices 1.9 Keep work area well organised and safe in accordance with relevant standards/policies Working in the Children s Services Profession What is the Community Services Industry? The name, Community Services Industry, is a relatively recent one. Traditionally, work in this industry may have been referred to as the helping professions, human services, community work, or working with people. It is sometimes referred to as the community services sector or simply community services. The Australian National Training Authority says that the Community Services Industry focuses on providing a wide range of services to support the comfort and well-being of people. The main activities of the industry, according to the Industry Training Council of Western Australia are: Provision of a diverse and complex range of services to support individuals, families and communities experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, social, family or economic difficulties. Promotion of individual and community well-being to protect the quality of life. Page 16 of 101
If the Community Services Industry includes a diverse and complex range of services the main role of which is to support and empower, then what kinds of specific community service organisations do you think are included in this industry? They might include: Youth Agencies Welfare Agencies Child Protection Organisation s Community Centres COMMUNITY SERVICES CHILDRENS SERVICES Community Centres Disability Services Crisis Care In fact, there are 121 different occupations in the Community Services Industry! In the closely related Health Industry, there are approximately 200 different occupations. These two industries have employees working in every region of Australia. Page 17 of 101
What is the Community Services industry like for workers? Here are some other interesting facts about the community services industry: More than 70% of workers are women (over all industries this figure is 43%). Over 46% of workers are volunteers. 2% of workers are identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (over all industries this figure is 1%). 10% of workers are identified as being from a Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) (over all industries, this figure is 17%). 10% of workers fall in the 15 to 24 year age group; 50% in the 25 to 44 year age group; and 40% over 45 years of age. 46% of workers have no post school qualifications. Of the approximately 8,000 businesses and organisations in the national industry, about 5,900 are not-for-profit ; about 2,000 are for profit and 423 are government bodies. It is a very fast growing industry (growing 39% between 1987 and 1998). It is a very large provider of part-time jobs and contract work. It has a high proportion of very small agencies and services offering employment. It has a high dependence on government funding and subsidies. Remember that the Children s Services profession is a part of these figures! By understanding the profession in which you have chosen to work, you will have a clearer ability to decide what skills and qualities are particularly important to develop if you are effectively. to work Page 18 of 101
Types of Child Care Services There are different types of child care services. In different states they may have different names. The main types in New South Wales are: PRESCHOOL OUT-OF-SCHOOL- HOURS CARE Before school, After School and Vacation care Care for 5-12 years Care available 1-5 days Primarily aimed at working or studying parents Meals provided Funded by Federal government Open shorter hours, usually similar to school Care for 3-5 years Care usually available 1-2 days Primarily aimed to suit nonworking or part-time working parents No meals provided Funded by State government FAMILY DAY CARE Care provided in a private home 1 carer can have up to 5 children under 6 years and 2 school-age children, including their own Care available 1-5 days Sometimes care available evenings, overnight, weekends Primarily aimed to suit working and studying parents Meals provided Funded by Federal government Page 19 of 101