Work Placement

As part of this course, students will also be required to undertake practical placement for a minimum of 400 hours. During this placement, learners will be involved in providing support for people and to participate in group activities or 1:1 client support as well as to gain community access, and social inclusion. Access to organisational policies and procedures will be arranged by workplace supervisor. The trainer will contact the student and the workplace supervisor from time to time (as agreed in the work placement agreement) to check progress. Students cannot progress into the practical work placement of the course until they have successfully completed all assessment requirements for the theoretical component and have demonstrated appropriate skills required for practical work placement.

Usually work placement occurs at the end of the course, however, where required work placement may occur in 2 blocks of 200 hours each (where applicable). First block of work placement of 200 hours at the end of term 5 or as appropriate, while second block of work placement of 200 hours during the last term.

Students are required to satisfactorily complete 40 hours of work placement each week or hours as negotiated with the host employer. Students who have not successfully completed their 400 hours of work placement, will not be deems as Competent in the related units of competency and hence, not be able to graduate. However, student would be eligible of Statement of Attainment (if applicable).

Penfold College will assist the learner in finding the suitable workplace. Penfold College will liaise with the workplace to ensure that the participant is suitably supervised at the centre. During the practical placement, the learner will be assessed in the practical skills. The work placement will be unpaid (however can be negotiated) and the daily working hours will be negotiated between students and the centre.

The time spent by the student in work placement in this course is critical to ensure that the student participates in regular work over the course duration. This is necessary to allow for a workplace context in the assessment and workplace observation which is a requirement for every unit. All students are required to maintain a work placement logbook to record their worked hours and the age groups care was provided for.

Student who are already working in the individual support/community care sector or in the role of community services workers involved in the delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services to individuals, groups, and communities; in an approved centre-based care are encouraged to use their existing workplace to complete these practical placement hours providing it meets the requirement’s necessary to conduct assessment. It is a requirement that students must obtain a National Police Check certificate with no past or current criminal record. These are to be provided by students at their own cost. Workplace centres and learners will be required to enter into an agreement with Penfold College which will clearly identify the rights and obligations of all parties.