AIWCW APPROVAL FOR NEW COURSES AND CAMPUSES - July 2009

Introduction and the Role of AIWCW

1. These Guidelines are provided especially to educational and training institutions that are considering for the first time, to offer a new course in welfare work, community or human services work, at diploma level and above, and particularly the Diploma of Community Services Work within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. These guidelines are also somewhat relevant for universities and alternative diplomas, but prior contact with the AIWCW National Office is urged. Actual requirements for new courses are included at Par. 9 below. Long established courses at TAFE (e.g.) need only use the guidelines on the Approval Application Form, at least in the first instance.

2. The Community Services Training Packages (CSTP) control the qualifications offered in this field within VET. The main qualification for AIWCW Approval in 2009 is the Diploma of Community Services Work (DCSWk), but other related diploma courses may obtain Approval if particular electives are selected, and field education requirements are fulfilled. (See separate document New CHC08 Diplomas)

3. Most TAFE colleges in which the DCSWk is being considered as a possible new course already have an extensive infrastructure such as classrooms, library, audio-visual and computer resources, student facilities, etc., and many may already be running a related course, such as youth work or community development, so that some suitable staff may already be available. Some of the material in these guidelines may be relevant to such proposals from TAFE colleges, but in most cases a less comprehensive application to AIWCW will be appropriate, based upon the Application Form alone. An initial enquiry to the AIWCW National Office may help to clarify this.

4. These Guidelines are more appropriate for proposed courses in colleges which have not offered anything similar before, and/or are privately owned Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Many of these which have been established in the last few years have targeted international students who wish to acquire the DCSWk to accumulate the Skills Points awarded towards the General Skilled Migration Program, after recognition as “suitable as a welfare worker in Australia”. If a TAFE college plans to enrol a significant number of such international students, the following guidelines may also be very relevant.

5. Because so many of the RTOs are offering this course with international students in mind, it is essential that the crucial involvement of this Institute is fully understood. The Commonwealth Government has authorised AIWCW as the sole body to determine who is “suitable as a welfare worker”, with regard to the General Skilled Migration program, and to issue the certificate which proves this to immigration authorities. This decision by AIWCW is independent of the completion of any course, even a course such as the DCSWk which is registered with various VET authorities in different states and territories and recognised as a `welfare work qualification’ by such authorities.

6. This means that what may be sufficient for course registration with State Training Authorities (such as VRQA in Victoria and VETAB in NSW) and other Commonwealth Government requirements applying to international students (such as via CRICOS and ESOS) is not necessarily enough for AIWCW Approval. Several of these extra AIWCW requirements have caused problems in previous applications for AIWCW Approval, and educational institutions planning to apply to AIWCW need to take special note of these Possible Problem Areas. Informal enquiries to the National Office are encouraged, prior to an application being lodged. However, it is suggested that brief preliminary planning documents be sent so that written feedback might be supplied.

Problem Areas

6.1 The Community Services Training Packages do not mandate required workplace training (also known as “field education”), but AIWCW requires at least 400 hours of this, in 2 separate placements, with adequate professional supervision. These placements must involve welfare and/or community work and a substantial part (if not all) of the units of competency. They can not be merely nursing aide, aged care assistant, clerical, or recreational and leisure activity situations. Consult the detailed requirements in the separate Field Education documents.

6.2.1 AIWCW requires the Course Leader or coordinator to be eligible for AIWCW membership via Pathway A, and therefore have either a welfare work, community services work, human services or similar diploma or degree, with AIWCW Approval; or a social work degree recognised by the Australian Association of Social Workers. The Course Leader must also have at least 2 years full time broadly relevant professional experience in community services. See also 8.3, 8.4, 8.5.

6.2.2 The Field Education Coordinator also must have similarly broad social welfare work qualifications and experience. However, neither are usually required to actually apply for membership, nor are they required to join AIWCW.

6.2.3 It is strongly suggested that eligibility requirements be closely examined regarding proposed course leaders and field education coordinators, rather than an assumption or claim by that person that they are eligible. This requirement is in addition to all teachers having qualifications and experience appropriate to the subjects they teach.

6.2.4 CEOs are encouraged to contact the AIWCW National Office for guidance regarding any proposed leaders or full time staff that do not clearly have social work or welfare work / human services qualifications.

6.3 AIWCW requires adequate resources and access to these, including library books actually on the shelves on campus, as well as any additional references available on-line, or in nearby libraries.

6.4 AIWCW requires the course be administered and taught with reference to the AIWCW Code of Ethics, with adequate attention to the needs and viewpoints of all stake-holders – administrators, teachers, students, and field education personnel, etc. This involves a commitment to non-oppressive processes and practice.

6.5 The minimum duration of the course is two calendar years; 22 months including breaks.

6.6 Graduates of a course of less than 2 years duration may be eligible for membership of AIWCW via Pathway B.

Lead Times

7. For these new courses, AIWCW urges that the detailed requirements (and this document) be consulted well before the commencement of the course; preferably at least 6 months ahead. After examining all the documents, prospective applicants are encouraged to consult with AIWCW, by initially contacting the Membership Coordinator at the National Office in Melbourne, in order to clarify any requirements and to overcome any possible misunderstandings. Enquirers may be later referred to a member of the Membership Assessment Panel, which is the body within AIWCW ultimately responsible for Course and Campus Approval.

Course Leader

8.1 It is suggested (but not required) that an appropriately qualified Course Leader be appointed first, preferably several months prior to commencement of the course, so that adequate professional planning of the course can occur. He or she could be responsible for selection of other teaching staff, and of appropriate textbooks and library and audio-visual resources.

8.2 This person need not be employed full time initially, and in fact could be retained as a consultant or on a casual rate until a few weeks before teaching begins.

8.3 Ideally, this person should have a degree in welfare work, community services, human services or social work, with at least 4 years appropriate experience, but minimally the AIWCW Approved generic diploma in welfare work, community services work, etc., plus 2 years relevant experience, is satisfactory.

8.4 Previously, Course Leaders could be eligible for membership via Pathway B, without a specific social welfare work qualification, but this has been found to be problematic because course leadership requires extensive familiarity with the ethos and general curriculum; a broad social science academic background is not seen as sufficient, however much experience in the community services field is also applicable.

8.5 This major change is due to be implemented on 1st March 2010, so that educational institutions have time to adjust their hiring policies. In addition, those who are appointed as Course Leader on 1/3/2010 may continue in that role, even if they are not eligible for Pathway A membership, but if they leave that position any subsequent appointment must conform to the new requirement and the appointee must be eligible for Pathway A membership of AIWCW.

Required Documentation

9. Material additional to the brief Application Form is also required for new courses, at the time the application is made. These required items are:

9.1 Introductory brochures, flyers, handouts, booklets about:

9.1.1 the college or educational institution, including any other courses offered, and

9.1.2 the course itself, in general, including costs

9.1.3 any detailed student manual (perhaps in draft form)

9.1.4 any field education guidelines or manual (perhaps in draft form)

9.1.5 complaint and grievance procedures, guidelines (perhaps within another document).

9.1.6 an organisational chart, showing CEO/PEO, any division heads (e.g. `Director of Studies'), Course Leader, Field Education Coordinator, other course leaders, administrative staff, compliance manager, etc.

If not already included in these documents in 9.1, the following are also required:

9.2 A statement of the aims, philosophy, and structure of the course within its institutional setting, and any particular emphasis or targeted student population. (This applies especially to universities.)

9.3 Proposed Delivery Plan for the whole course.

9.3.1 Student selection criteria. This should include evidence of some prior experience, affinity or involvement with community services work such as counselling, community work, etc., and evidence of personal suitability including empathy and compassion. If possible, group or individual selection interviews should be used. Include any English language requirements.

Additional fees and expenses

9.3.2 Any additional expenditure or purchases required of students. This should be notified to them beforehand, and to AIWCW, including any assigned textbooks which all students may be asked to purchase, or attendance at residential camps, etc. (Note that these are not AIWCW requirements),

9.3.3 The amount of any re-assessment fees. AIWCW believes that minor corrections to assignments should be re-submitted and re-marked free of charge, where only a few minutes of staff time are involved. For more substantial re-assessments, a fee of up to $50 may be reasonable. Additional fees for major parts of a whole Unit should not exceed $100.

9.3.4 Note: Students must not be charged a separate fee for finding field education placements. Provision of appropriately supervised field education is part of the course and is the responsibility of the college.

Timetables

9.3.5 A basic simple timetable for the initial 12 months, including when in the total program field education placements will occur.

9.3.6 If the course is already being taught, a more detailed timetable for the previous and current terms, showing which teacher is timetabled to teach which subject.

9.3.7 Note: Students must be told prior to enrolment about any compulsory evening or weekend classes.

9.3.8.1 Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) including credit transfer. Applications for RPL should be assessed by someone not directly involved with the student applicant. General reciprocal arrangements with other colleges are encouraged.

9.3.8.2 Note: RPL up to 40% awarded from a college or course which does not have AIWCW Approval will generally be accepted by AIWCW. Beyond 40%, AIWCW may query the award, and ask for evidence that the previous experience and learning was from an acceptable educational institution, course, or experience. Membership Eligibility Par. 2.2 states: Graduates from an AIWCW Approved course and campus who obtained credit or RPL for more than 40% of their course units from other courses or experience, must provide details of such credit/RPL, and these must be taken into account when determining eligibility for membership.

9.3.8.3 Note: It is acknowledged that colleges cannot restrict or discount RPL from other recognised RTOs, but they are urged to advise students with substantial credit transfer or RPL, about the AIWCW regulations above, which may affect eligibility for AIWCW membership.

9.4.1 Training and Assessment Plans for (only) two selected core Units of Competency (in professional areas such as casework, community work), including weekly timetable, assignments, and references.

9.4.2 Full details of arrangements with at least three community services agencies that are willing to provide field education placements. The "Work Placement Guidelines" developed jointly with VETAB (NSW), AIWCW, and CSHISC (available on each of the websites) should be used as the basis for this part of the application.

9.5 Proposed date of commencement of teaching, with proposed student numbers for each intake, for each semester for the following 12 months. Include likely or proposed proportions for any targeted special student groups, such as mature-aged and international students.

Physical facilities and resources

9.6.1 A statement regarding physical and transport facilities, including size and availability of classrooms, offices and meeting room for staff, a lounge or recreation room for students, provision for heating and cooling, availability of public transport and/or car parking, and personal security of staff and students.

9.6.2 Planned class sizes. A maximum of 20 students per class is allowed for the necessary tutorial, group discussion and workshop classes with 12-15 being the desirable number. If briefer lectures for larger numbers are used, the proposed location, timing and student numbers should be supplied.

9.6.3 If appropriate and convenient, provide a CD or DVD disk with some or all of the application material included, and possibly add photographs of classrooms, equipment, IT, library, reception, etc, This is not a mandatory requirement, but if included, photographs should be properly labelled and/or referenced.

9.7.1 Floor plan (existing or proposed), showing details in 9.6, and location of offices for teaching staff, toilets, library and computers, etc., and labelling for its use for each room used in this course. Include dimensions of rooms, and/or their areas, and/or a scale for the drawing.

For the following 4 items used by both staff and students, depiction on the floor plan is preferred, with appropriate labelling.

9.7.2 How many computers are for use of students for internet access, etc., and how many for these community services students exclusively? At what times are they available to students? What type of computers are they, and year in which they were purchased.

9.7.3 How many TV/Video/DVD units are there, in what locations, and how mobile? (For example, are they on easily moveable trolleys?)

9.7.4 How many Data Projectors are there, in what locations, and how mobile? (For example, are they fixed to the ceiling, or on specialised trolleys, with laptop computers attached?)

9.7.5 How many laptop computers are there (including for use with data projectors).

9.7.6 How many video cameras are there, for use in simulated counselling, and for student use for assignments, and in what locations?

9.7.7 Is there a special room available for simulated counselling exercises? Does it have a one-way mirror for observation by other students or staff? (This is not mandatory, but is recommended.)

9.7.8 Additional statement regarding any proposed expansion, with increases in student and staff numbers.

Teaching Staff

9.8 Details of teaching staff, including initial applicants or enquirers about positions, if appropriate. Confirmation of appointment(s) of staff can be made later if necessary. The Course Coordinator, and any Field Education Coordinator, should be nominated. See further guidelines under 10. below.

9.8.1 `Matrix' summaries used in the Training Packages may be provided, but CVs are preferred, abbreviated if necessary. If full CVs are supplied, these will be returned to the college or destroyed, after examination. All such documents will be securely stored and will remain confidential.

Alternatively, the following minimum details are required:

9.8.2 Qualification details should include the title, areas of major studies or specialities, the name and location of the educational institution, and year of completion (this is too often omitted)

9.8.3 Experience details should include broad outlines of duties and years of positions held, not merely a `years of experience’ statement. .

9.9 Provision for support staff, including reception and administration, counselling (for students and staff), and librarian or person responsible for access to and supervision of library resources.

9.9.1 Note: Student/staff counsellors should be professionals and external to the course and perhaps to the college; they should not be course teachers or those responsible for administration or financial matters.

9.9.2 Note: Student/staff counsellors should be easily accessible, and enquiries or appointments should not need to be made via clerical, management, or teaching staff. Counsellors must be supplied with brief details re AIWCW, including the Review Provisions.

Representation and Staff Development

9.10 A statement outlining how the course and its staff and students are represented on any decision-making body within the educational institution

9.11 A statement outlining provisions for staff development and opportunities for voluntary work (such as advocacy) in the community (including the college community).

Library Resources

9.12 Evidence of purchase or orders for adequate resources for a library,

9.12.1 Initial library expenditure to start the course should exceed $10,000.

9.12.2 This may be discounted up to 50% for those resources already available and/or shared with other courses, but full details of alternatives should be provided, including availability to students.

9.12.3 There should be an additional initial expenditure of $1500 for each additional 15 equivalent full time students beyond the first 15, and annual expenditure after the first year should include $1500 for each 15 equivalent full time students, up to a maximum of $12,000 p.a.

9.12.4 On-line material may supplement hard-copy where appropriate, but should not affect the above expenditure

9.12.5 Packages of readings extracted from a variety of books and articles may also supplement borrowable books on the shelves, but should also not affect the above expenditure, and nor should workbooks mass produced especially for the course by external publishers.

9.12.6 As a general guide at the beginning of a course for 15 students, there should be at least 8 separate appropriate purchases in each of the following areas:

a) general social work/welfare/human services work, including field education guides,

b) counselling & case management,

c) community work, including radical social action,

d) introductory psychology,

e) introductory sociology,

f) the Australian welfare system and welfare state, including social policy,

g) ethics, values & professional practice,

h) networking, communication, meetings, & group work, and

i) a selection of specialised areas such as aged, mental health, disabilities, etc;

as well as at least 3 in each of:

j) agency management

k) understanding research

l) legal aspects.

9.12.7 Many copies of the same book are not to be counted as part of the required expenditure, although as additional resources for the use of students, there would be no objection to this practice. Two or three copies may be necessary for a few core references in some subjects only, with common textbooks possibly purchased by students.

9.12.8 For student enrolments above 200, special negotiations with AIWCW regarding library and all other resources are required.

9.12.9 Library books must be accessible for browsing at reasonable times, not locked away unless access is specifically asked for. They must be systematically catalogued (not necessarily via Dewey system), and borrowable for a reasonable length of time.

10 Teaching Staff

10.1 A list of teaching staff, current and/or proposed, must be supplied, together with units or subjects taught or proposed. See documentation required, at 9.8 above.

10.2 Teaching staff must have adequate academic qualifications and professional experience for the subjects in which they teach.

10.2.1 Those teaching the vocational professional and practice subjects - case management, counselling, groupwork, community development, etc., should ideally have AIWCW recognised welfare/community services work qualifications or AASW recognised social work qualifications.

10.2.2 When this does not apply to core vocational units, staff teaching in work with individuals must have appropriate and substantial academic specialisations or specific qualifications, together with appropriate experience, in clinical psychology or counselling etc.. Similarly, staff teaching in group work, community work/community development, psychology, and sociology, should each have the corresponding academic specialisations or qualifications and appropriate experience, if they are not qualified welfare or social workers. (Such specialised teaching staff need not be eligible for AIWCW membership, however.)

10.2.3 In particular, for the new 2009 Training Packages subjects relating to introductory psychology (CHCLD415A) and sociology (CHCLD514A), a Diploma of Community Welfare Work qualification obtained in 2001-09 will not be sufficient, since those subject areas were not adequately covered in the old diploma. At least a degree minor (2 years of study) will normally be required to teach in these new units.

10.2.4 While AIWCW accepts that in principle AQF regulations allow the award of a diploma based upon RPL with no formal study, in order to teach or coordinate a welfare work course AIWCW requires an appropriate course of study involving theoretical and knowledge components, as well as skills assessment by professional trainers within the course. Practitioners can accumulate competencies based upon experience and self-learning alone, but in order to teach others, a full range of different theories, knowledge and issues must be encountered in an academic setting. AIWCW therefore requires teachers to have gained no more than 10% of their relevant qualification via RPL based upon work experience.

10.3.1 Any teaching staff must have at least two years full time work experience (or part-time equivalent) following completion of any relevant qualification, including a diploma or degree in welfare/social work. It is not appropriate to have an inexperienced new graduate teaching in a welfare work course. (See the detailed rationale for this policy, Crs.06, available on the website.)

10.3.2 When substantial relevant work experience (5 years or more) has occurred prior to completion of the relevant qualification, then a special application may be made to the MAP, which may vary the requirement for 2 years experience following completion.

10.4.1 The Course Leader (or `Course Coordinator', `Lead Teacher') must be eligible for membership of AIWCW via Pathway A, even if not teaching core subjects, and have at least 2 years relevant experience. See also 6.2, and 8.3f above, and the Membership Eligibility requirements at www.aiwcw.org.au.

10.4.2 If a nominated Course Leader, Education Director, Director of Studies, etc. is mostly an administrative or management position, then a professionally qualified staff member should be nominated (and appropriately paid) to coordinate the course.

10.5.1 Courses with less than 20 students undertaking field placements may have those placements coordinated by the Course Leader. With more students requiring placements, a separate Field Education Coordinator must be nominated, whose duties may overlap with teaching, and who may be appointed part-time. For courses with more than 100 students in field education, the Field Education Coordinator should be a full-time position.

10.5.2 The Field Education Coordinator should also be eligible for AIWCW membership via Pathway A, with at least two years of relevant experience.

10.5.3 Liaison visits to agencies are to be undertaken only by the Field Education Coordinator, or by Field Education Officers/Assistants who are suitably qualified and experienced, or by college staff who are teaching in core subjects. See Field Education Guidelines for further details.

11. Additional Guidelines at commencement of a course.

11.1 When the initial full-time student intake is less than 20, one teacher/course coordinator is satisfactory, but for one semester only. At least 1.5 contracted teaching staff must be employed thereafter, with 2.0 staff employed for 30 students (EFT), and an additional 0.5 contracted staff for each additional 15 students.

11.2 Only Provisional AIWCW Approval of a new course is available at commencement. Full AIWCW Approval is usually not available until the course has been in operation for at least 6 months, and after an AIWCW Campus Visit (see separate document “Campus Visit Guidelines”, Crs.08).

11.3 With Provisional Approval, colleges are entitled to advertise this to prospective students and other interested parties (such as migration agents), but such persons should be briefly informed of the nature of this provisional status. See the specific guidelines, Crs.07 on the website.

11.4 AIWCW believes that educational institutions which offer new courses primarily to international students, including those which have already commenced without AIWCW consultation or Provisional AIWCW Approval, are ethically obliged to notify current students, prospective students, and migration agents of their status with regard to AIWCW Approval. Failure to do so may eventually count against the granting of AIWCW Approval, if applied for later.

11.5 Any significant changes in location or staffing, even after Approval is granted, must be notified to AIWCW, and approval of suitability obtained. Within the first 12 months of a new course, staff changes may be quite likely, and any changes to full-time teaching staff or the Course Leader should be notified to AIWCW within 2 weeks. Any staff changes at all in the first 3 months should be notified.

11.6.1 In order to prevent frequent staff changes, the college and prospective staff are urged to examine pay and conditions carefully, in order to reach mutual agreements. These comments are not part of AIWCW requirements, as this is primarily an industrial matter, possibly negotiated with the aid of the relevant trade union. However, staff should be provided with a copy of the relevant AIWCW guidelines prior to signing a contract of employment.

11.6.2 For contracted (not casual) staff, it is usual to allow a proportion of contracted time for non-classroom activity such as preparation, assessment, and staff development. A teacher contracted for 20 hours or 40 hours (full time) per week is usually not expected to spend the whole 20 or 40 hours in front of the class. Full time employment usually involves no more than 26 hours of class contact. However, colleges may include preparation and assessment in the pay rate, without allocating and paying for specific additional time for these activities.

11.6.3 Nor is the contract expected to cease as soon as teaching finishes; final assessments and appeals from students need to be dealt with by the assigned teacher. Contracts for a full academic year are preferred, rather than for term-by-term.

11.7 For courses with more than 40 students (EFTS), a Staff Census Statement should be supplied to AIWCW by 1st May each year, containing details of qualifications and experience of staff, and specifying who hold the position of Course Leader and Field Education Coordinator.

11.8 Teaching staff, students, administrative and clerical staff, and owners and directors of colleges are each part of the college community, in which exploitation or oppression (bullying) should not be tolerated. In addition to any formal grievance procedure usually available to individuals, opportunities should be available for advice-seeking, collaboration or cooperation between and among any of the stake-holders (and including appropriate external parties such as AIWCW) to resolve any apparently widespread grievances or disputes involving unfair or exploitative practices or harassment.

12. For further enquiries, and regarding courses at universities

Contact the AIWCW National Office: 03 9654 8287; Email: info@aiwcw.org.au

CRSE.02 – Ver Jul09