UNIT GROUP 2512 WELFARE AND COMMUNITY WORKERS

EXAMPLES OF TYPES OF DUTIES/FUNCTIONS/OCCUPATIONS WITH WHICH PEOPLE

QUALIFIED AS A WELFARE WORKER MAY BE INVOLVED

(Source: Extracts from Australian Standard Classification of Occupations)

UNIT GROUP 2512 WELFARE AND COMMUNITY WORKERS

WELFARE AND COMMUNITY WORKERS assist individuals, families and groups with social, emotional and financial difficulties to improve quality of life by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment or facilitate community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or AQF Diploma. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

providing support while exploring alternatives with clients who experience difficulties such as marital problems, unemployment, illness and drug abuse
working with long-term problems to bring about client-directed change
assessing risks and providing intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, disasters and other crises
assisting to establish or administer a neighbourhood house, community group, employment training program or other service
researching and analysing community issues, needs and problems
developing, evaluating and maintaining community resources and programs
evaluating resources devoted to health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment, training and other community facilities
interpreting identified needs for community organisations, social agencies and groups, stimulating their interest and enlisting co-operation

Occupations:
2512-11 Welfare Worker
2512-13 Community Worker

2512-11 WELFARE WORKER

Assists individuals, families and groups with social, emotional and financial difficulties to improve quality of life by educating and supporting them and working towards change in their social environment.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or AQF Diploma. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

provides support while exploring alternatives with clients who experience difficulties such as marital problems, unemployment, illness and drug abuse
assesses risks and provides intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, disasters and other crises
assists in establishing or administering a neighbourhood house, community group, employment training program or other service
evaluates data and writes reports including submissions requesting funding for continuing programs and new projects
advocates on behalf of clients
arranges for clients to be referred to other appropriate specialist professionals, support workers or community agencies
arranges, coordinates and evaluates support services such as home and community care for elderly and disabled clients

2512-13 COMMUNITY WORKER

Facilitates community development initiatives and collective solutions within a community to address issues, needs and problems.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

researches and analyses community issues, needs and problems
develops, evaluates and maintains community resources and programs
evaluates resources devoted to health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment, training and other community facilities or programs
interprets identified needs for community organisations, social agencies and groups, stimulates their interest and enlists cooperation
provides leadership and coordinates programs
prepares reports, budgets and policies

Specialisations:
Community Development Officer
Community Support Worker
Housing Officer

UNIT GROUP 2513 COUNSELLORS

COUNSELLORS assess peoples' needs and provide information and advice on educational, vocational, relationship or social difficulties and issues.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

consulting with clients to develop rehabilitation plans taking account of vocational, social, medical and psychological needs
assisting clients with employment placement and matters relating to education and training, through negotiation with community agencies, employers, unions, education and training authorities, government representatives and insurance companies
assessing client needs in relation to treatment for drug abuse
employing appropriate therapeutic models and interventions as a method of treatment and support for the client
assisting the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour to develop more effective interpersonal relationships
providing information and resources to assist clients with job-seeking skills
contributing information, understanding and advice on the learning and behaviour of students, especially those with special needs, and assisting parents and teachers in dealing with these needs

Occupations:
2513-11 Rehabilitation Counsellor
2513-13 Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
2513-15 Family Counsellor
2513-17 Careers Counsellor
2513-19 Student Counsellor
2513-79 Counsellors nec

2513-11 REHABILITATION OFFICER

Assists physically, mentally and socially disadvantaged people to re-integrate into work and the community.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

consults with clients to develop rehabilitation plans taking account of vocational, social, medical and psychological needs
assists clients with employment placement and matters relating to education and training, through negotiation with community agencies, employers, unions, education and training authorities, government representatives and insurance companies
provides information and advisory services to organisations assisting the disadvantaged
refers clients for medical examinations, psychological or psychiatric evaluation and vocational assessment
evaluates the effectiveness of resettlement and recommends further action

2513-13 DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELLOR

Provides assessment, support and treatment for people, develops strategies which assist them to set goals, effect and maintain change, and provides community advice and education.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

assesses client needs in relation to treatment for drug and alcohol abuse
employs appropriate therapeutic models and interventions as a method of treatment and support for the client
refers client to appropriate agencies for treatment, support and education
facilitates the development of clients' interpersonal and group skills through the provision of group-work programs
counsels and supports family members
provides information to the courts, guardians and agencies with the consent of the client
adopts harm-minimisation principles in working with the client
assists in community development by providing consultancy services and assists the community to attain knowledge and skills in addressing problems relating to substance use
raises awareness regarding the prevention, early intervention and treatment of substance use
promotes inter-organisational planning and consultation regarding the development of appropriate strategies and client management

2513-15 FAMILY COUNSELLOR

Assists individuals, couples or families with marriage or relationship difficulties.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

assists the understanding and adjustment of attitudes, expectations and behaviour to develop more effective interpersonal and marital relationships
conducts counselling or therapeutic interviews with individuals, couples or family groups
collects data through observation and case histories, and discusses problems with parties involved
presents alternative approaches and discusses potential for attitude and behaviour change
counsels people and assists with appropriate decisions and adjustments relating to divorce

Specialisations:
Family Court Counsellor

2513-17 CAREERS COUNSELLOR

Advises individuals and groups about career choices and assists individuals with self-development.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

provides information and resources to assist clients with job-seeking skills
assists clients to develop awareness about career options by obtaining and examining information relevant to their abilities and needs
maintains careers and labour market information
analyses vocational information, explains alternatives and suggests possible courses of action
may organise interview programs, surveys and careers displays
may assist with special courses or community awareness programs
may maintain job registers and refer clients to employers

2513-19 STUDENT COUNSELLOR

Provides guidance to students, parents and teachers over a wide range of matters, including students' personal problems, learning difficulties and special requirements.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

contributes information, understanding and advice on the learning and behaviour of students, especially those with special needs, and assists parents and teachers in dealing with these needs
diagnoses learning difficulties by the use of psychological evaluation and interpretation
assists teachers to design, change or improve class programs
provides assistance in the educational and behavioural adjustment or management of students
undertakes individual counselling with students and their parents regarding educational, behavioural or emotional problems
may run workshops for parents regarding complex aspects of raising children
may counsel students at schools, TAFE colleges or university

2513-79 COUNSELLORS (Not Elsewhere Classified)

This occupation group covers Counsellors not elsewhere classified.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Occupations in this group include:
Grief Counsellor
Rape Crisis Counsellor
Trauma Counsellor

UNIT GROUP 3421 WELFARE ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS

WELFARE ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS provide support, information and advice to clients on emotional, financial, recreational, health, housing and other social welfare matters and evaluate and coordinate the services of welfare and community service agencies.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is an AQF Diploma or higher qualification or at least 3 years relevant experience. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

assessing client needs and planning, developing and implementing educational, training and support programs
advising on available community services to aid rehabilitation
monitoring and reporting on the progress of clients
interviewing disadvantaged clients and assessing nature and extent of difficulties
referring clients to agencies which can provide additional help
assessing community need and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services

Occupations:
3421-11 Parole or Probation Officer
3421-13 Youth Worker
3421-15 Residential Care Officer
3421-17 Disabilities Services Officer
3421-19 Family Support Worker

3421-13 YOUTH WORKER

YOUTH OFFICER

YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER

Assists young people as individuals or groups to solve social, emotional and financial problems in an agency framework.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is an AQF Diploma or higher qualification or at least 3 years relevant experience. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks Include:

provides support and information to young people about welfare and other youth accommodation and community services
plans, designs and supervises activities for young people such as sports, handicrafts, dancing, drama, hiking and bushwalking
provides counselling, support and crisis services
may plan and organise activities for young people in the community, such as establishing and supervising clubs
may work under the supervision of a health, sport, recreation or welfare worker

Specialisations:
Juvenile Justice Officer
Youth Accommodation Support Worker

3421-17 DISABILITIES SERVICE OFFICER

Works in a range of adult service units which provide education and community access to people with intellectual, physical, social and emotional disabilities.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is an AQF Diploma or higher qualification or at least 3 years relevant experience. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

assesses client training needs and plans, develops, implements and evaluates education and training programs
liaises with community groups, parents and residential workers in the development of training programs for community orientation, independent living skills, daily living activities, literacy and numeracy, communication and vocational training
liaises with employers and employment agencies to place clients in jobs and provide intensive on-the-job training and continuing monitoring in competitive or integrated supported employment programs
may establish recreation and support networks and provide recreation and community orientation training for their clients
may negotiate work contracts, manage the business aspects of the operation and provide occupational training and on-going support in segregated supported employment programs

3421-19 FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER

Assists the work of social and welfare workers by providing services and support to families.

Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is an AQF Diploma or higher qualification or at least 3 years relevant experience. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

talks to families to determine their problems
assesses client needs and plans and evaluates support and counselling requirements
provides support and information to families regarding welfare and other support services
may liaise with community groups and assist in the development of support networks for families in need of emotional, financial or social welfare assistance

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COMPARISON WITH SOCIAL WORKER (ASCO CODE 2511-11)

SOCIAL WORKER: Assesses the social needs of individuals and groups, and assists people to develop and use the skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems.

Skill Level: The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher. In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualifications. Registration or licensing may be required.

Tasks Include:

· acts as a contact between clients in need and community services

· assesses resources for health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment and other community services

· provides leadership and assistance for the implementation of pilot projects in community development and self-help

· assists community organisations, social agencies and voluntary groups to improve services or develop new services

· conducts individual or family case interviews to identify the nature and extent of clients’ problems

· evaluates information obtained to determine the type of assistance required

· assists clients to understand and resolve problems by providing information and referring them to community or self-help agencies

· monitors the progress of clients by maintaining contact

· compiles case records and reports

· may assist in budget preparation and policy formulation.