CHC51712

CHC51712

Diploma of Counselling

v2

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CHC51712

Diploma of Counselling

C O U R S E D E T A I L S

Course Number E0110

Delivery mode Online with Work Placement

Course duration Max 30 months

Assessments Case studies, short answer questions, research tasks, logbook, attendance report, workplace portfolio, interviews

Qualification Diploma

Nationally Recognised Yes

Awarded by ICM Training

C A R E E R O U T C O M E S

> Counsellor

P O T E N T I A L S A L A R Y

Counsellors earn up to $67,000 per annum on average (source: www.payscale.com). However, as many counsellors are selfemployed, incomes may vary substantially.

Offered through Open Colleges’ partnership with specialist provider ICM Training, the course is designed for careerchangers and others seeking to become professional counsellors, whether in their own practice or working for an agency. It is also ideal for professionals in HR and other areas where counselling skills are highly valued, as well as individuals who have a personal interest in relationships and behaviour.

The course provides an exceptional level of flexibility. You may enrol at anytime, and choose to study online when it suits you, making it ideal for students with work or family commitments. Expert trainers experienced in delivering and facilitating online courses will provide valuable feedback throughout your studies. The course also includes high quality learning materials and a work placement for building practical experience and industry contacts.

Successful completion of the course will give you a pathway into a highly rewarding career working with clients to overcome various issues. Certainly there has never been a better time to train as a counsellor. Between 2005 and 2010, the counselling profession grew by a staggering 57% (source: ABS 2010), and with greater government focus on mental health, the future is likely to present a wealth of opportunities for skilled professionals.

Providing a gateway to the counselling profession, this nationally recognised qualification provides training in a range of skills required to undertake general counselling work. Students will learn how to communicate effectively at a high level, refer clients and work within a case-management framework.

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

What you need to know about this courseCOURSE NUMBER E0110

How is the course delivered?This is an online course with work placement. This means that you will complete your knowledge and initial skills development through online learning. You will also undertake a work placement. This will allow you to master practical skills and gain invaluable workplace experience and contacts.

What is online learning?OpenSpace is Open Colleges’ online campus. Through OpenSpace you will:

> Access your learning materials and assessments > Undertake and upload assessments > Engage and interact with your Trainer and Assessor > Participate in student forums and find a ‘Study Buddy’ > Access your assessment results and feedback > Access Student Support Services

What learning materials are included with this course?Your learning materials are accessed through OpenSpace. These include:

> Learner workbooks > Additional readings > Video resources > Discussion forums > Links to key online resources

What is work placement?Work placement is a structured learning program undertaken in a workplace. It involves undertaking set tasks and activities over time under the guidance of a workplace superviser and Open Colleges’ Workplace Assessor. To be assessed in the workplace you will complete a logbook of workplace tasks, complete a workplace portfolio and undergo interviews with your Workplace Assessor. You may also be visited by an Open Colleges’ Workplace Assessor in the workplace.

A work placement can be a highly stimulating and rewarding part of the course. It will enable you to participate in a real workplace and put into practice the new skills and knowledge that you are learning in the course.

The work placement also provides Open Colleges with an opportunity to assess the skills and knowledge you have developed through the course in the workplace. This is called workplace assessment.

Open Colleges provides you with a detailed Workplace Assessment Guide. This details the specific requirements of the workplace and workplace supervisor to meet the needs of the course.

You are required to identify a suitable organisation for your work placement. However, Open Colleges can provide advice and direction through our Work Placement Support Team.

Please note that you may need to undertake the work placement at more than one workplace in order to meet the requirements of the course, depending on the nature and scope of activities conducted at the workplace.

More information can be found in the Workplace Assessment Guide.

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

Specific work placement requirements:

> Duration: 200 hours (minimum).

> Workplace: The structured workplace learning must be undertaken in an approved facility that provides formal counselling services.

>Supervisor: The Workplace Supervisor will need to be an individual currently employed in delivering counselling services with at least five years of experience in this position.

> Recommendation: Open Colleges recommends that you consider the work placement options in your local area prior to enrolling in this course.

> Minimum Requirements: There are a number of statutory checks required by workplaces, such as a Criminal Record Check. These may vary by state. In addition, individual workplaces may impose additional requirements on students undertaking work placement. You will be responsible for the costs of any such checks or requirements. The Open Colleges website has information on the individual statutory requirements for each state and territory.

> Insurance: Open Colleges provides insurance cover for the mandatory work placement you undertake as part of your course. This insurance coverage includes Public and Products Liability Insurance as well as Student Personal Accident Insurance.

> Questions? Contact our Course and Careers Advisors on 1300 853 033 to discuss any questions you might have regarding the work placement requirements of the course.

How is the course assessed?During the course, you will undertake:

> Case studies > Short answer questions > Research tasks > Logbook > Attendance report > Workplace portfolio > Interviews

What about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Open Colleges has developed an RPL Application Kit for this course. The Student Handbook, available on the Open Colleges website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact a Course and Careers Advisor to discuss your RPL options.

What about Credit Transfer?If you have completed another nationally recognised qualification you may be eligible for credit transfer. Contact a Course and Careers Advisor for more information.

What is the duration of the course?The maximum duration for the course is 30 months. To complete the course in this timeframe, we recommend that you study a minimum of 10 hours per week. This is a guide only – the time taken to complete your course will depend on your level of skill and knowledge.

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

What are the admission requirements for the course?Education entry requirementsYou will need to have completed year 12, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by vocational training and/or work experience in a relevant role.

Minimum age requirementsTo gain entry into CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling it is recommended that candidates have sufficient relevant work experience to indicate likely success at this level of qualification in a job role involving:

> The self-directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas > The exercise of independent judgement and decision-making > The application of relevant technical and other skills.

English language requirementsAll the course material is in written format and includes some limited numerical calculations. Students’ assessment tasks will involve writing case studies and reports to a professional standard.

As such, entry to the course requires English proficiency to Year 12 level, or equivalent (see Education Requirements for equivalency) or completion of an approved English language test (see website for details).

Computing requirements:

All users:

> Microsoft Office 2010 or equivalent > broadband internet connection > 2GB of RAM > CD-ROM or DVD drive > Adobe Reader XI or equivalent

Windows users:

> Microsoft Windows 7 or higher > 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended) > Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher.

Mac OS users:

> Mac OSX v10.6 or higher > 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended) > Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher.

Audio-Visual Requirements Students will need access to a digital video recording device and/or a digital camera and associated software to save and upload video and image files to OpenSpace. Many mobile phones and smart phones include this technology.

Structured Workplace Learning RequirementsAs part of this course you are required to undertake Structured Workplace Learning, which includes securing a work placement. This may also involve needing to obtain a number of other certificates and statutory checks, at your own cost.

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

What support services are available? During your studies with Open Colleges, you will have access to a comprehensive range of support services. These include:

Academic SupportYour experienced Trainers and Assessors are available in OpenSpace to answer any questions you may have regarding the learning materials or assessments. Your Course Coordinator can also provide you with advice and support regarding the overall course.

Student SupportThe Student Support Team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues – including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification. You can access the Student Support Team in OpenSpace or by email or phone.

Learning SupportThe Learning Support Team is a dedicated team of specialists that can provide you with a comprehensive induction to studying with Open Colleges as well as specific support if you encounter learning difficulties during your studies.

Learning support resources, such as writing guides, are available in OpenSpace. You can access the Learning Support Team via your Course Coordinator, Trainer and Assessor or the Student Support Team.

Work Placement SupportThe Work Placement Support Team can provide you with support, advice and resources if you encounter difficulties in securing a workplace for your work placement. You can access the Work Placement Support Team via the Student Support Team.

Peer SupportAs a student of Open Colleges you can also access our ‘Study Buddy’ system. This enables you to connect with other Open Colleges students studying your course that live near you. Students find this is a great way to keep motivated and build lasting friendships and networks.

More information?The Student Handbook, available on the Open Colleges website, provides more detailed information on the support services available to students. We recommend that you read the Student Handbook prior to enrolling with us.

What will I obtain on completion of the course?Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a nationally recognised qualification Diploma of Counselling CHC51712 awarded by Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd (Provider Number: 90197).

CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling has been superseded by CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling on the 7th December 2015. Open Colleges will transition to the new qualification in the near future.

Articulation pathway with Charles Sturt University:Open Colleges has formalised articulation with Charles Sturt University. After graduation from this course you may wish to undertake the:

> Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare) and receive 18 months of credit transfer into a 3 year degree; OR

> Bachelor of Social Work and receive 12 months of credit transfer into a 4 year degree.

Planning to use this course as a pathway to university? When you complete this course you’ll be eligible to apply for the Open Colleges scholarship at Charles Sturt University.

The $2,000 scholarship is awarded exclusively to four Open Colleges students per year who enrol in the Social Science (Social Welfare) or Bachelor of Social Work with Charles Sturt University. You can use the scholarship however you like; to assist with your tuition fees, to buy textbooks or to stock up on supplies for your new course.

The scholarship is sponsored by Open Colleges and is open exclusively to Open Colleges students.

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

What further studies could I pursue?Students who successfully complete the Diploma of Counselling CHC51712 may wish to go on to further studies in this field.

Other courses you may be interested in:

> CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services > CHC50413 Diploma of Youth Work > Certificate in Life Coaching (non-accredited)

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CHC51712 Diploma of Counselling

Modules and Units

For full course competency details visit www.training.gov.au

Once you are enrolled in this course, you will receive access to the first module, which contains the first set of modules for the course. When you have successfully completed those modules, you’ll be given access to the next module.

Order of Studies Unit Code Unit Title and resourcesModule 1:

The Counselling FrameworkCHCCSL501A Work within a structured counselling framework

Module 2:Risks in counselling

Practical 2

CHCCSL502A Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

CHCCSL501A

CHCCSL502A

Work within a structured counselling framework.

Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills

Module 3:The beginnings of counselling in practice

Practical 3

CHCCSL512A Determine suitability of client for counselling services

CHCCSL503B Facilitate the counselling relationship

CHCCSL512A

CHCCSL503B

Determine suitability of client for counselling

Facilitate the counselling relationship

Module 4: Counselling Theories and techniques

Practical 4

CHCCSL504A Apply personality and development theories

CHCCSL505A Apply learning theories in counselling

CHCCSL506A Apply counselling therapies to address a range of client issues

CHCCSL504A

CHCCSL505A

CHCCSL506A

Apply personality and development theories

Apply learning theories in counselling

Apply counselling therapies to address a range of client issues

Module 5:Working in a counselling practice

Practical Techniques & Support Decision Making

CHCCSL507B Support clients in decision-making processes

CHCCSL508B Apply legal and ethical responsibilities in counselling practice

CHCCS514B Recognise and respond to individuals at risk

CHCCSL507B

CHCCS514B

Support clients in decision-making processes

Recognise and respond to individuals at risk

Module 6:Case management

CHCCM503C Develop, facilitate and monitor all aspects of case management

HLTWHS300A Contribute to WHS processes

CHCCSL509A Reflect and improve upon counselling skills

Module 7:Practical assessment

Holistic Assessment (focussed on units addressed in above Practicals and CHCCCS514B Recognise and respond to individuals at risk)

Module 8 – 11

Electives

CHCMH301C Work effectively in mental health (compulsory)

CHCDFV301A Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

CHCCS426B Provide support and care relating to loss and grief

CHCCS403C Provide brief intervention

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“I have always been interested in the process of helping other people overcome barriers to personal progress. This course has allowed me to help others in their personal and professional growth.”

Kylie Roebuck, Counselling Student

Studying with Open Colleges

Open Colleges provides you with the freedom to study where and when you want. We understand that our students are constantly juggling multiple priorities, so our unique learning approach has been specifically designed to enable you to fit education and training around your lifestyle.

After you enrol with Open Colleges you will be provided with access to OpenSpace – our virtual campus. Here are some of the key features and benefits of OpenSpace:

Access Access your learning materials, assessments,

videos and additional online resources wherever you have an internet connection. You can also download your study guides, workbooks and assessments so that you can study wherever and whenever it suits you.

Connections Connect with your trainers and assessors and

other students. You can participate in the lively student forums, link up with a ‘study buddy’ or engage with your course coordinator. OpenSpace is also where you will submit your assessments and receive your results.

Knowledge OpenSpace is your link to Gale – our extensive online library. Through Gale you will have access to millions of academic, magazine and newspaper articles from around the world.

Support Access the student support team using the

online enquiry feature. OpenSpace also provides a detailed searchable database of Frequently Asked Questions, so that we can provide you with responses to many of the common queries. You can also contact the student support team by phone on 1300 650 682.

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How to Enrol

Enrolling with Open Colleges is easy: Enrol online today. Just visit our website, select your course and click ‘Enrol Today’

OR Enrol by phone. Just call one of our friendly course and careers advisors on 1300 853 033

Need more information? We appreciate that choosing the right course is important. If you would like to discuss your career or course options, please do not hesitate to call our course and careers team on 1300 853 033 or email enquiry@opencolleges.edu.au with your questions.

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For more information call 1300 853 033 or go to www.opencolleges.edu.au

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