-
This is a fee-for-service course, government funding is not available. Payment plans are available.
-
Only Australian Citizens and Residents can apply for this course. Limited visa holders can be accepted pending a VEVO check. We are not CRICOS registered and cannot accept Subclass 500 visa holders.
Course Overview
This course focuses on providing learners with the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills as part of their work in supporting and empowering people with disabilities. The course promotes practice through a person-centred approach.
Topics include:
- Person centred behaviour
- Advocating for people
- Working with complex needs
- Health and safety requirements
- Mental health
- Leadership in the workplace
The program is available to individual learners or to agencies wishing to upskill their workforce by providing opportunities to gain a qualification.
Who's It For?
The program is available to individual learners working in disability support, as well as to agencies wishing to upskill their workforce. Learners should be working in an appropriate disability support service or have access to one in order to complete required workplace tasks.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Disability Support Worker
- Senior Disability Support Worker
- Disability Team Leader / Senior Support Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Lifestyle Support Worker
- Residential Support Worker
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) Support Worker
- Day Program / Community Participation Worker
- Employment Support Worker
- Disability Support Coordinator
- Disability Outreach Worker
What You'll Learn
Learners will build skills and knowledge across the following areas:
- Complex behaviour support
- Person-centred practice
- Social inclusion
- Advocacy for people with disabilities
- Working with complex needs
- Health and safety requirements
- Mental health
- Leadership in the workplace
Foundation skills developed include:
- Language and literacy (reading)
- Numeracy
- Employment skills
- Written communication – completing incident reports and similar documents
- Oral communication – presenting information to small groups
- Enterprise and initiative – working with others and contributing to goals
- Teamwork
- Planning and organising
Recognition
Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration Study Load
The course runs for approximately 12–18 months. It is a self-paced program, so learners may take a shorter or longer time to complete all required work.
Learners work sequentially through the modules and will not have access to upcoming modules until they have completed all current work and received a competent outcome.
Delivery
The program is delivered through an online platform, Canvas (Instructure). All learning and assessment work is accessed and submitted through this portal. If learners are unable to work online or have connectivity problems, the admin team will provide alternatives.
Learners will have regular contact with their assessor throughout the course. Tutorial sessions will be arranged at least once a month, depending on progress and support requirements.
Entry Requirements
To enrol in the Certificate IV in Disability Support, learners must have completed the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. Learners can enrol in both qualifications at SAL Consulting and complete a recognition pathway for the Cert III before commencing the Cert IV units.
There is no formal requirement for learners to complete work placement in this qualification. However, learners should be working in an appropriate disability support service or have access to one in order to complete required workplace tasks. SAL Consulting does not provide work placement for learners.
Potential learners will also complete a simple Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) task to identify if any support strategies are required.
Course Features
SAL Consulting's program incorporates Neurodevelopment, Attachment and Trauma Informed (NATI) principles, offering a unique approach to disability support work. These principles are embedded across all subjects to enhance the core content and enable learners to work with clients, family members and carers.
- SAL Consulting is the only Registered Training Organisation in Australia that integrates the NATI approach across all of its services, including clinical work, therapy, organisational development and training.
- Accredited provider of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) as developed by Dr Bruce Perry at the Neurosequential Model Network in the USA.
- Learners will study complex behaviour support, person-centred practice, and social inclusion.
- Course bridges the gap between theory and practice for a hands-on, high-quality learning experience relevant to work practice.
- Industry engagement strategies include communication with employers, industry forums and peak bodies, as well as an internal Practice Governance Group.
Work Placement
There is no formal requirement for learners to complete work placement in this qualification. However, learners should be working in an appropriate disability support service or have access to one in order to complete required workplace tasks.
SAL Consulting does not provide work placement for learners.
Recognition Of Prior Learning
Learners may gain Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by having their knowledge and skills mapped against the individual units of competency in the Cert IV, potentially reducing time and study load. SAL Consulting can assist in identifying existing competencies and providing evidence to validate existing knowledge and skills.
Commencing an RPL process requires completing a formal assessment process, providing evidence of current skills and knowledge, and participating in at least one assessment interview. Completion of the RPL process does not guarantee success.
Learners may also be eligible for credit transfer if they have previously completed a subject identical to one in this program, potentially exempting them from assessment for the whole unit or module.
The prerequisite Cert III in Individual Support program has been created using an RPL pathway, relying solely on the learner's existing knowledge and skills.
A separate payment plan may be arranged for Credit Transfer arrangements.
Professional Recognition
NRT (Nationally Recognised Training) — This qualification is delivered by SAL Consulting, RTO code 91494. Full details of the qualification can be accessed at training.gov.au.
SAL Consulting is accredited by the Neurosequential Model Network to deliver the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and is a member of the Neuroleadership Institute.
Assessment
Each module has comprehensive learning material, reflective questions to test knowledge, and formal assessment tasks. Assessment tasks are marked as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Overall competency in each unit is determined as either Competent or Not Yet Competent.
If marked as Unsatisfactory or Not Yet Competent, learners are given more time to resubmit their work. The assessor will work with the learner to strengthen understanding and may provide an alternative pathway for resubmission.
Assessment questions are based on case studies, scenarios, and the learner's own workplace experience. Learners are required to demonstrate their experience through practical activities and provide supplementary evidence from a third party such as a workplace supervisor.
All learners must demonstrate skills in a workplace or simulated environment, and may be required to use specific resources and equipment such as:
- Policies and procedures
- Individualised behaviour support plans
- Risk assessment tools
- Transport services
- Individual aids and equipment
Learners must ultimately be deemed Competent in all units of competency in order to receive the qualification. To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 120 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of individual units of competency.
Materials
To successfully participate in and complete this course online, learners will need access to:
A computer or laptop with a reliable internet connection.
A current web browser, such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Safari.
A personal email address that is checked regularly.
Microsoft Word or compatible software for completing and submitting assessment documents.
A PDF reader for accessing learning and assessment resources.
A webcam, microphone and speakers/headphones for participating in online tutorials, meetings or assessment activities where required.
Access to the organisation’s Learning Management System (LMS)
A suitable quiet study space for completing online learning and assessments.
Basic digital literacy skills, including navigating websites, uploading and downloading files, using email and participating in video conferencing.
A notebook and pen or preferred method for taking notes.
As this is a vocational qualification, learners will also need access to an appropriate disability support workplace or practical environment to complete any required workplace-based activities, observations and evidence.
Learners should allow regular time each week to complete online learning activities, attend scheduled sessions where applicable, and work progressively through assessment tasks.
Testimonials
-
""The Certificate IV in Disability Support gave me a much deeper understanding of person-centred practice and how to support people with more complex needs. I was able to apply what I was learning directly in my workplace, and it has given me more confidence to take on greater responsibility in my role.”"Certificate IV in Disability Support GraduateCertificate IV in Disability Support
-
"“I thought I already knew disability support pretty well when I started the course, but it challenged me to look at things differently. It has genuinely changed the way I work.”"Certificate IV in Disability Support GraduateCertificate IV in Disability Support
Additional Information
SAL Consulting has a Student Wellbeing Policy providing details on learner support. Learner support services available include:
- Resources in alternative forms
- Language, literacy and numeracy support
- Assistive technology
- Additional tutorials, including online tutorial support
- One on one time with trainers and assessors
- IT support
The RTO complies with the Disability Standards for Education 2005 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Reasonable adjustments can be made to learning and assessment material where necessary to enable participation.
All learners will have the opportunity to provide feedback at the end of each module and at the end of the complete qualification. Feedback forms are embedded in the online learning programs.
Further information is available in the current Learner Handbook, covering topics such as enrolment, RPL, fees and refunds, assessment policies, appeals, complaints, welfare and support services, credit transfers, payments and receipts, course cancellations/postponements, and learner code of conduct.
Subjects
About SAL Consulting
SAL Consulting is a health and human services provider with over 20 years experience in providing education, disability, therapy and child and family services. We have offices in Sydney, Mebourne, Perth and Darwin and provide services across Australia.
