Individuals who undertake this qualification will learn how to provide support regarding the mental, emotional, and lifestyle problems of a diverse range of clients, will learn how to recognise and respond to crisis situations, and will experience working with other medical practitioners – all within an ethical and legal framework. Assessments will be based on both practical and theoretical knowledge.
Course structure
The standard course is conducted over a 24 month period; within a self-paced online learning environment.
Upskilled will gather information about your previous experience and skills, weekly study commitment and online learning experience to provide you with an projected duration for your course based on your individual circumstance.
Upskilled uses MyUpskilled to manage the delivery and assessment of your course. This means you can learn at your own pace.
Inclusions
Upskilled courses include specialised learning materials, and access to:
- Upskilled’s fully customised online learning platform, MyUpskilled
- Student Support services
- your trainer via the trainer/student messaging system
- video content access via:
Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit Transfer / Credit Transfer
Work experience or formal qualifications you have may count towards your course. If you have previously undertaken study at a recognised institution or have some relevant work experience, you might gain credit towards specific units in a course; shortening the time you have to study. You can send your application for Credit Transfer or
RPL during the enrolment process.
Practical Assessment
Upskilled provides a very practical approach to this qualification. As part of your assessment, you will be a trainee counsellor within a simulated workplace and required to complete a minimum of 12 supervised counselling sessions with at least 6 different clients with varying issues.
This approach will provide much-needed hands-on practice in counselling clients and will allow you to apply learning and counselling theories in practice.
More info here. Assessment
Upskilled takes evidence gathered from a variety of sources to deem a student as competent. Assessment processes might include some or all of the following:
- Recognition of Prior Learning and/or credit transfer
- summative and formative assignments
- written reports and/or portfolio assessments
- scenarios and/or case studies
- projects
- written/oral questions
- regular training and assessment contact will be maintained by Upskilled in conjunction with the participant and their employer (where applicable). Critical dates during the program will be identified for participants to ensure compliance to assessment due dates, and attendance at monthly webinars as required.
Role-Playing and Interactive Learning Activities
This course comes with Interactive Learning Activities. Upskilled understands the importance of practical experience, so to complement the theory components of your course, our specialist trainers may run ad-hoc Interactive Learning Activities.
You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with other students - sharing questions, thoughts and ideas, as well as participating together in interactive learning activities.
While the Interactive Learning Activities are not mandatory, your participation is encouraged. You can receive some additional benefits and support, which may include:
- Having a study buddy where you can bounce off ideas and help each other with assessments.
- Online Classrooms where our specialist trainers can go over learning content that's part of your course.
- Activities that relate to your assessments, which can help boost your knowledge and skills.
Additionally, role-playing is included in some of the learning areas of this course. It will also make up some of the practical elements of your assessments, including the assessments in your supervised counselling sessions.
The benefits of role-playing
Upskilled believes that you can benefit from undertaking role-playing activities throughout your studies. Not only are they fun and interactive, it gives you the opportunity to collaborate with other participants such as other students, your family, friends and or colleagues.
Below are some benefits you can experience when role-playing:
- Improved decision-making and communication skills: Working in health and community services may involve you working in a variety of work settings. Professionals in this field are expected to make decisions and communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and stakeholders. Our role-playing assessments can help further improve your decision-making and communication skills in a community service workplace.
- Preparation for supervised counselling sessions: Role-playing is effective in helping you prepare for your supervised counselling sessions. The skills and knowledge developed from your role-playing assessments are based on scenarios you may face when working in the community services industry.
- Develop knowledge and skills to be "work-ready": Due to the interactive nature of role-playing, it can be an opportunity to practice community service industry roles with volunteers and other students in order to enhance your knowledge and skills. Job roles within this field are "hands-on", so role-playing can prepare you for the physical nature of the work - particularly in the disability and aged care sectors.