Course Structure

Total number of units = 15
• 11 core units
• 4 elective units

Pathways

This qualification reflects the role of workers in the community and/or residential setting who follow an individualised plan to provide person-centred support to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason. Work involves using discretion and judgement in relation to individual support as well as taking responsibility for own outputs. Workers have a range of factual, technical and procedural knowledge, as well as some theoretical knowledge of the concepts and practices required to provide person-centred support.
This qualification provides a pathway to work as a Aged, Disability or other Support Worker in a variety of Aged, Disability, Home or Community Care work environments.
Employment opportunities:
• Welfare Support Worker
• Community mental health practitioner
• Mental health support worker
• Community support worker - mental health
• Mental health recovery worker.
Related Occupations
• Welfare Support Worker

Entry Requirements

Although there are no specific formal entry requirements to enter the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health qualification, learners entering this course at VIA must meet the following entry requirements:
Age Requirements
VIA recommends that all learners should be over 18 years of age at the commencement of course.
Pre-Training Review
Prior to enrolling a potential learner, a VIA enrolment officer will conduct a Pre-Training Review interview, which aims to identify the learner’s training needs and the suitability of this course to meet their needs, through questions on previous education or training, relevance of the course to the learner’s desired job outcome, relevant experience. The interview also aims to identify any support the learner may need to successfully undertake the course and possible RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) or Credit Transfer opportunities which may reduce the amount of training required.
Through the Pre-Training Review interview, the learner will demonstrate that they have necessary skills and personal attributes to successfully undertake the course and that the course selected is the most suitable to meet their needs.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN)
Prospective learners are also required to complete the VIA Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment, administered by a VIA enrolment officer to help identify any support the learner may require to successfully undertake the course.
Learners undertaking this course must possess sound Numeracy skills as it requires them to do calculations, including the ability to estimate weights for safe manual handling; interpret charts; engage with individualised plans; interpret and measure medicine dosages, measure effectiveness responses and to complete work within appropriate timeframes. If the VIA enrolment officer has concerns that the learner does not meet the Language, Literacy or Numeracy levels required, the learner will be referred to a VIA Trainer/Assessor for identification of support strategies that VIA may implement, prior to enrolling the learner in the course. Strategies may include but are not limited to; bridging English language courses, one-on-one mentoring, additional time to complete assessments. These support strategies will be documented on the learner’s training plan for implementation by the learner’s VIA Trainer/Assessor. Any reasonable adjustments to training delivery or assessment, will be documented on the learner’s Assessment Cover Sheet. Physical requirements Learners are expected to have physical abilities and manual handling required to perform tasks as those undertaken by an Welfare Support worker in the workplace while undergoing training. Workers in these roles work physically close to other people and will spend a large amount of time on their feet. As part of this course learners are expected to handle chemical products and treatments and they will be exposed to disease or infections; prospective learners must consider any personal barriers before enrolling in this course. In line with its access and equity policy, VIA will identify any such barriers presented by learners during Pre-Training Review before enrolment and will identify and provide required support and reasonable adjustment where possible. Materials and Equipment Required Although VIA will provide access to computers with required resources during classroom hours (Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4.30pm), however to work on assignments, undertake research and complete tasks for self-study, all leaners are expected to have access to a laptop or computer with the Windows 7 operating system or higher and internet access at their own cost. Learners must maintain an active email address for communication and be contactable by phone (mobile or landline) and by mail (postal address) for the duration of their course. All leaners are expected to have access to MS office application such as Microsoft Word, an email platform at their own cost. Work Placement Requirements
To achieve the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 80 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency. Victorian International Academy will work with the learner to schedule a suitable work placement but prior to undertaking this placement, students will be required to arrange at their own cost:
• current National Police Records Check (VIA learners can apply for a discounted CVF fee, $18.40 as at May 2020)
• current Influenza (Flu) vaccine (from 1 May 2020 this is a legal requirement)
Students will also be required to dress in a professional manner for classes with non-slip, closed toe shoes for practical activities and may be required to wear a uniform as guided by their work placement host employer.
Computer literacy requirements
All learners enrolling into VIA programs must have basic computer skills. VIA courses may require learners to make reports, analyse graphs and data. Learners those who do not possess basic computing skills may be referred to take basic computer skills course e.g. Learn Local basic computing, or International Computer Driving License (ICDL) which can be taken at any centre or learners can choose to take course with other institutes at additional cost.

Information Session and Pre-Training Review Interview

The information session forms part of the Pre-Training Review process and will often be held at the site where training is to occur attended by a VIA Authorised Delegate. The information provided at this session includes but is not limited to:

• Statement of Fees and charges and refund policy explained,
• Fees for National Police Records Check and Influenza vaccination costs
• Commonwealth and State government funding entitlements, eligibility requirements and impact of future entitlements,
• Student Handbook provided (either physical or electronic copy),
• Policies and procedures are discussed, including dress and grooming requirements, attendance, and progress requirements,
• Program start dates,
• Course location,
• Duration of program,
• Training and assessment plan and schedule, including unit delivery order proposed unit start and end dates,
• Practical training sessions and assessment requirements,
• Code of Conduct and Complaints and Appeals process,
• Student support services,
• Pre training review interview,
• Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment,
• RPL/Credit Transfer assessment and requirements

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment and Assistance

VIA will ensure the following is met:

• The pre-training review will be conducted prior to enrolment and an LLN test will be conducted prior to course commencement; this is to ensure that prospective students are placed into an appropriate course and to identify any LLN deficiencies or areas needing support.
• In the event that a Trainer and Assessor identifies student LLN difficulties, they will implement appropriate strategies to assist them with their learning and;
• students are provided with advice and support services in the provision of LLN assistance services
• LLN requirements of the training package identified and course materials and assessment tools are developed with them in mind by qualified Trainers and Assessors
• relevant employees are provided with the necessary training to ensure they have the skills required to manage with LLN issues as they arise
• the confidentiality of students who require additional support services and appropriate strategies are in accordance with our Privacy Policy