Topic outline

  • General

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  • Intro to the Community Services

    • The following series of short presentations will give you an overview of what Community Services is and what is covered in the Bachelor of Community Services. There are slides, videos and questions linked to the topic so you can self-check your understanding of the Community Services 

      Click on the tabs to move between topics.

      Instructions: Select each tab to access the lectures, questions related to the lectures and links to resources. 

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      • What is the purpose of Community Services? 

      This first lecture discusses 'What is Community Services?' Review slide pack 1, watch the You Tube video on


      Slides: 

      To review the PowerPoint slides download Slide Pack 1 - What is Community Services?


      What is Community Services? 

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      What is the purpose of Community Services? 

      • Working in the community services sector, you’ll be providing a wide range of services, supports and programs to assist vulnerable people.  
      •  Your work will make a huge difference in many lives. Community service sector employers include local and state governments, and private or community organisations, including not-for-profits
      What areas does Community Services cover?

      The community services sector provides both short term and ongoing support and programs across a range of areas including: 

      • healthcare 
      • housing and homelessness 
      • children and family services 
      • family violence and sexual assault 
      • food relief 
      • counselling 
      • job seeking 
      • legal aid 
      • education and training. 
       Who benefits from Community Services Work?

      Your skills, expertise and passion will make a real difference and help change lives. Your work will directly benefit: 

       

      • children and their families 
      • older people 
      • people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background 
      • asylum seekers and refugees 
      • people with a disability 
      • people living in rural or remote areas 
      • people who have experienced a natural disaster. 
        What type of role can I expect to work in?  

      The roles in the sector are many and varied. They span and intersect across areas that include child protection, family violence and sexual assault, disability, housing, children and families. The roles cover a wide breadth of rewarding and dynamic work from entry level and above, including: 

      • crisis care response 
      • respite and support care 
      • advocacy 
      • casework 
      • counselling 
      • program and policy development 
      • administration and management 
      • finance, IT and human resources. 
      • Reasons to Study Community Services

      This second lecture is on studying Community Services at Box Hill Institute. Review Slide Pack 2 and then watch the following video on youtube  and then answer the following questions.

      Slides:

      To review the PowerPoint slides download Slide Pack 2 Studying with Box Hill Institute

       

      You want to make a real impact on people’s lives. How? 

      Working in this field gives you the opportunity to have a profound impact on the quality of people’s lives and make a real difference; your help, support, and advocacy can help your clients grow and set them on the path for a brighter future. 

      Knowing someone is living a fuller, more purposeful and happy life because of your influence is incredibly rewarding! 
      You enjoy variety and being kept on your toes. How? 
      • The welfare and support of people are central to a community service role which brings with it a huge variety of day-to-day activities that require a positive, patient and supportive attitude. Some examples include: 
      • Health and wellbeing – from helping your clients to make healthy choices about food and exercise to assisting them with dressing, washing, and personal care.  
      • Daily living skills – You’ll be on hand to support some clients with daily living activities such as shopping for groceries, paying the bills, and maintaining a clean, healthy living space.  
      • Advocacy – When working with elderly or disabled clients who are vulnerable to exploitation, it’s your role to advocate for their rights and ensure they’re treated with respect and dignity.  
      • Administration – Community service roles come with high levels of administrative work to maintain client records, so keeping on top of reporting will be a daily or weekly activity.  
      • Thinking on your feet in times of crisis – You’ll also be called on in times of crisis to conduct face-to-face or over the phone assessments with clients to determine their specific needs. If necessary, you’ll have to make an immediate referral to medical services, psychiatric intervention or support services to provide food and clothing. You could be needed at weekends, overnight, and after hours.
      Community Services is a booming industry. Why?

      • Many Australians need compassionate care, support and teaching to help them live their best lives.   
      • The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employing industry in Australia and according to the Australian Skills and Industry Committee, 2018 there were close to 1.7 million people employed in this industry, which is projected to increase to over 1.9 million by 2023. 
      You will cultivate transferable skills.  How?

      • You’ll reap the benefits of building valuable transferable skills that will benefit you in both professional and personal areas of your life.
      • Technical skills will depend on the exact area you end up working in but soft skills, which apply across all roles in this sector include showing initiative and taking responsibility for others, being a team player, problem-solving, critical thinking and active listening skills. 
      • When it comes to being a standout candidate at your next job interview, soft skills are what will give you the edge. 
      • What is the degree structure with BHI? 

      This third lecture is on Course Structure. Watch this video and then review the slideshow  then answer the following questions.

      Slides:  

      To review the PowerPoint slides  download Slide Pack 3 Community Services Degree Structure

      If you have any further questions you will find additional information about enrolment, entry requirements, costs and subjects taught in the degree on the Box Hill Institute's Bachelor of Community Services webpage. 

      If you still have questions please contact: 

      Dr Aisling O’Donnell,  

      Academic Course Manager - Community Services



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      Unit delivery takes a hybrid approach incorporate some online and face-to-face classes. This is to mee student preferences for both robust peer engagement and convenience. The best of both worlds! 
      What is Multi-Campus Experience?

      Studying Community Services at Box Hill Institute will mean you enjoy a multi-campus experience. First year takes place in the CBD, at the heart of Melbourne's cosmopolitan culture. In second- and third-year students immerse themselves in the sprawling campus at Box Hill, where there is opportunity to feel connected to the broader BHI community.  
      What is Hybrid Delivery Model?

      Unit delivery takes a hybrid approach incorporate some online and face-to-face classes. This is to meet student preferences for both robust peer engagement and convenience. The best of both worlds! 
      What is Placement Partners model?

      As part of the program accreditation with ACWA, students must complete 400 total hours of placement. At BHI we have relationships with industry such that we can secure placement opportunities on behalf of the student. Often, these opportunities lead directly to employment.
      What is our Student-Centred Approach ?

      Within the program we take a student-centred approach to all we do. This means that the student experience is foremost in considerations of how we structure the program, and the multiple supports we offer students throughout their studies.