Certificate IV in Social Housing

Challenger TAFE offers the Certificate IV in Social Housing at the WA Centre for Leadership and Community Development (CLCD) at 58 Duncraig Road, Applecross.

Course Information

Pre-enrolment

Workers covered by the Certificate IV in Social Housing

Those who are engaged in delivering social housing services.

The course is also appropriate for policy workers in the non-government sector.

Occupations may include:

  • Aboriginal Housing Officer

  • Aboriginal Tenancy Officer

  • Client Services Officer

  • Community Development Officer

  • Community Housing Officer

  • Executive Officer (Small Organisation)

  • Housing Manager (reporting to Executive Officer)

  • Housing Manager (small-medium size organisation-reports directly to Board of Directors)

  • Housing Officer

  • Housing Worker-Intensive Tenancy Officer

  • Indigenous Community Development Officer

  • Indigenous Housing Manager - small to medium size organisation

  • Indigenous Housing Officer

  • Policy Officer

  • Program Officer

  • Property Officer

  • Senior Client Services Officer

  • Supported Housing Officer

  • Tenancy Officer

Qualification details

Workers at Certificate IV level are required to have an understanding of Indigenous culture and history and be able to work with local communities in the provision of services.

About the course

Certificate IV in Social Housing is a Nationally Accredited course. The qualification is recognised throughout Australia. Those who wish to enrol in the Certificate IV in Social Housing course will initially attend an information and enrolment session. When a person selects the units they wish to enrol in, time is spent with a Trainer and Assessor to establish ‘gap training needs.’ That is, the units in which a person would like to be trained. This 'gap' training is held on site once a week at The Centre for Leadership at 58 Duncraig Road in Applecross. Enrolees will be given a timetable which outlines when each unit is delivered.

After identifying the number of attendance days to cover the units a person needs training in, an assessment is made of the student’s skills and competency in the workplace for the units they feel confident about. The assessor, student and the student's supervisor arrange workplace tasks and projects to enable the student to achieve competency in areas where extra work is needed. Competency means being able to undertake the work described. Assessors and trainers are available to answer any questions as the course progresses.

Assessment

What is an assessment?

Workplace assessment refers to the method of determining a student’s ability to undertake certain work based on supporting learning and recognising people’s skills and knowledge, as well as identifying areas in which they may need further training. Assessment is the gathering of evidence to show that a person can perform to the standard expected in the workplace. The evidence shows a person has the knowledge and skills to carry out the requirements of a particular role.

Who does the assessment?

The assessment is carried out by a qualified Workplace Assessor at a time and place agreed with the person to be assessed.

How can a person help with an assessment?

Much can be gained by becoming actively involved in the assessment. It is not about whether a person is a good worker but an assessment of competence to meet a set of national standards. It is not the person being assessed but rather how the person's skills and knowledge fit the job.

Working in social housing means working with people, many of whom are vulnerable. The skills and knowledge required to be effective in working with people, especially those who are vulnerable, are vast and complex. These skills are not acquired without experience and ongoing learning. Assessment is a way of finding out more about a person and how that person can become more effective in their work.

The student can assist the assessor with assessments by:

  • being open, honest and as realistic as possible with the assessor

  • working cooperatively with the assessor and staying in close contact

  • providing the assessor with information of competence such as examples of work and stories or cases

  • keeping notes or a diary of work experiences

  • arranging suitable times to be assessed and keeping appointments with the assessor

  • seeking assistance from third parties or people who know a student's work and who are prepared to provide information to the assessor about these skills (eg a manager, work colleagues or clients)

What if a person is assessed as 'Not Yet Competent'?

If a person is assessed as 'Not Yet Competent' in an area, it simply means that some gaps have been identified and some further learning is required to help fill those gaps. There is no such thing as a pass or a fail in workplace assessment.