Accreditation Placement in Community Services
Welcome to our Accreditation Placement Hub*
Discover what you need to know to host a placement student studying Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015).
*Please note that this course has accredited and non-accredited placement options.
How does the placement work?
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Step 1
Discuss availability
Our Placement Coordinator contacts your organisation by email or phone to check your availability to support our students.
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Step 2
Find suitable candidates
Our Placement Coordinator advertises to students, gathers and sends applications to your organisation.
Your organisation may conduct interviews and offer placement to successful candidates.
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Step 3
Confirm changes
If required, our Placement Coordinator confirms changes (e.g. student allocation, dates, duration) or cancellations by email.
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Step 4
Send documentation
Our Placement Coordinator emails you the practical placement agreement (schedule 1 and 2) prior to the placement.
Please ensure all staff involved read this document. Contact our Placement Coordinator if you have any questions.
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Step 5
Prepare student
We ensure our students understand the placement assessment tasks, as well as the industry expectations and requirements.
Expected key learning outcomes
- To reflect on and improve own professional practice
- To learn professional care and communication with clients
- To analyse impacts of sociological factors on clients in community work and services
- To confirm client developmental status
Contact hours
| Placement type | Age group | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Community Services (accredited) - Placement 1 | Any age group | 10 weeks / 200 hours |
| Diploma of Community Services (accredited) - Placement 2 | Any age group | 10 weeks / 200 hours |
| Diploma of Community Services (non accredited) | Any age group | 4 weeks / 100 hours |
Requirements for partners
Responsibilities include:
- appointing a representative (with qualification equal to the student's course or higher in a similar field) to supervise the student for the placement duration
- providing opportunities for the student to meet the learning objectives of their placement experience
- providing an appropriate orientation for the student such as:
- your organisation’s policies and procedures
- occupational health and safety practices (e.g. accident and emergency procedures)
- information on break times
- names and roles of key personnel
- allowing visits by Swinburne to monitor and assess the student's progress
- providing the student with constructive feedback
- verifying the student’s attainment of skills
- meeting with the student and supervisor (teacher) from Swinburne for mid-way and final placement review meetings.
If a student has not notified you of their absence and has not attended placement in the first two days, please advise the supervisor from Swinburne.
Requirements for students
Security
- Working with Children Check (WWCC)
- Police Check
Relevant documents
Our Placement Coordinator will email the Practical Placement Host Information document and the practical placement agreement. Please note the documents are subject to change.
Student placement manual
This is the student’s guide for learning goals, assessment tasks, timesheets and other relevant checklists. The student will bring a copy of this document and can share a digital copy.
Practical placement agreement
Swinburne will send the overarching practical placement agreement directly to your organisation via email. This will cover all students attending your organisation for the current year. Please read over the agreement and return to the Placement Coordinator at your earliest convenience. This agreement is in-principal and does not commit your organisation to take on a set number of students per year.
We will also arrange for an agreement to be signed between the student and Swinburne, so all parties are agreeing to the same standards.
Without the practical placement agreement, a student who incurs an injury whilst on a placement may not be entitled to compensation under the Department of Education and Training's (DET) insurance policy.
The practical placement agreement is essential and is designed to:
- activate the DET insurance and be a safeguard if a problem occurs during the placement
- formalise the arrangements and conditions between the placement host and the training organisation, defining the placement so that all parties involved understand their responsibilities and rights; and
- be kept permanently in case any legal or insurance proceedings arise – Swinburne will keep a secure copy on file for seven years.
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"Swinburne’s students are – without exception – passionate and committed to both learning new skills and assisting our clients with their needs."
Hope City Mission
Frequently asked questions
Any missed day must be made up. It is the responsibility of the student to negotiate a time with the organisation.
Yes, all we ask is that the student has the full support of a supervisor for the placement duration and the supervisor completes the documentation required for the placement. We must also ensure that the duties of the employed role are suitable for placement.
A supervisor with a diploma-level qualification or above in a similar field can mentor the student.
Swinburne University of Technology’s public liability insurance policy covers Swinburne for any claims made against it related to personal injury to other parties or damage to the property of others.
During the placement, our students are regarded as an extension of Swinburne and the policy protects them against such claims that may arise from activities associated with the placement.
Our students are always reminded to contact the organisation before their shift if they are unwell and unable to attend the placement.
If you have not heard from the student after their shift has commenced, please contact the Placement Coordinator and we will follow up with the student.
Have a question?
If you would like to support this placement or require further information, please email vecommunityplacements@swinburne.edu.au.