Certificate IV in Youth Work

Module 1: Introduction to youth work

Work effectively with young people in the youth work context

• Apply understanding of the social, historical, economic, legal and political contexts of young people
• Apply understanding of the context of youth work
• Work within the core values and practice frameworks of youth work
• Work with understanding of the impact of values in determining the approach to working with young people

Engage respectfully with young people

• Communicate effectively with young people
• Reflect understanding of youth cultures and subcultures and young person’s own development
• Work with the young person as the focus
• Reflect on own practice and values

Module 2: Working with diversity

Work with diverse people

• Reflect on own perspectives
• Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
• Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
• Promote understanding across diverse groups

Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

• Identify cultural safety issues in the workplace
• Model cultural safety in own work
• Develop strategies for improved cultural safety
• Evaluate cultural safety strategies

Module 3: Work, health and safety

Participate in work health and safety

• Follow safe work practices
• Implement safe work practices
• Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
• Reflect on own safe work practices

Module 4: First aid

Provide first aid

• Respond to an emergency situation
• Apply appropriate first aid procedures
• Communicate details of the incident
• Evaluate the incident and own performance

Module 5: Working with families

Work effectively with young people and their families

• Establish relationship with the young person’s nominated carer/family members
• Exchange information with family/carers about young person’s needs and/or risks
• Determine a mutual approach to addressing the young person’s needs
• Respond to families’/nominated carers concerns about young person

Module 6: Practice principles

Work legally and ethically

• Identify and respond to legal requirements
• Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
• Contribute to workplace improvements

Use communication to build relationships

• Communicate with clients and co-workers
• Address communication needs
• Facilitate meetings

Module 7: Mental health

Work with people with mental health issues

• Establish respectful relationships with people with mental health issues
• Determine the needs of people with mental health issues
• Work with people with mental health issues to meet aspirations and needs

Provide services for young people appropriate to their needs and circumstances

• Identify and address immediate needs and circumstances of young people
• Explore and clarify issues facing the young person and the nature of support sought
• Facilitate goal setting and action planning
• Provide targeted assistance and referral
• Act as an advocate on request

Assess co-existing needs

• Prepare for assessment
• Analyse the person’s needs using a collaborative approach
• Determine appropriate services
• Complete reporting
• Evaluate assessment and referral processes

Module 8: Responding to crisis

Respond to critical situations

• Implement risk-minimisation strategies
• Maintain a safe environment for young people
• Prevent escalation of violent behaviour
• Secure the safety of clients

Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

• Address issues associated with people who are experiencing homelessness or risk of becoming homeless
• Support and advocate for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless

Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

• Implement work practices which support the protection of children and young people
• Report indications of possible risk of harm
• Apply ethical and nurturing practices in work with children and young people

Module 9: Community supports

Support young people to create opportunities in their lives

• Create a relationship of trust and respect
• Work with young people to identify their needs, rights, strengths, hopes and opportunities
• Identify goals with the young person
• Develop and implement action plans

Work within a community development framework

• Operate within a community development framework
• Distinguish between private and public issues arising in community development work
• Work with groups to achieve community development outcomes

Plan and conduct group activities

• Plan group activities and resources
• Coordinate group planning processes
• Manage group processes and conflict
• Evaluate group activities