Bachelor of Community Welfare (With Placement) Southern Cross University - Gold Coast Campus, Australia

The Bachelor of Community Welfare provides you with the theoretical and practical foundations for work in the community welfare and human services sectors. You will gain skills in case management, community development, counselling, social research, advocacy and organisational practice.

Throughout the course, particular emphasis is placed on social justice, human rights and collaboration as the basis for contemporary community welfare practice. We'll harness your empathy and enhance your communication skills with a view to delivering great outcomes across diverse areas of community welfare practice.

Core units focus on the contemporary context of social welfare, counselling, case management, community development, mental health, trauma-informed practice, Indigenous world-views, child protection and out of home care, youth work, disability and research. Elective units also provide opportunity for you to pursue other areas of interest. You will also gain on-the-job experience through extensive placements, working with individuals and organisations that share your commitment and are working to improve people's lives.

Placements, work experience and study hours:

In line with Community Work Australia requirements, you will complete 400 hours of supervised Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This is completed in two separate organisations in different fields of practice so that you gain a diversity of experience.

Placements may include working across a variety of client groups, such as older people, or young people and families at the individual, group, organisational or community level of practice. You may undertake placements in social welfare settings such as child protection, drugs and alcohol, criminal justice, community education, housing, emergency relief, family interventions and domestic violence.

WIL is a vital part of your professional experience and comes with specific expectations and responsibilities. Please read the following carefully before applying for the course:

• Placement Locations: While we consider your current residential address when allocating placements, local placements are not guaranteed. It is essential to keep your address up to date in MyEnrolment, as inaccurate information may result in a placement that requires extended travel.
• Travel and Costs: You should be prepared to travel to your allocated placement, which may be outside your immediate local area. You will require access to reliable transport to complete shifts that may occur during mornings, afternoons, nights, and weekends. You are responsible for organising and covering any associated costs, including travel, accommodation, and related expenses.
• Fit-to-Practice Requirements: Before attending any placement, you must meet mandatory compliance requirements, which may include, but are not limited to, Working with Children and National Police Certificate checks.