Graduate Certificate in Child Well-being and Protection

The Graduate Certificate in Child Well-being and Protection is an 18-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences on a fee-paying basis in internal mode. The course is normally completed in one semester full-time or equivalent part-time.

The majority of students will be drawn from social work but those with other practice backgrounds, in youth work, teaching, nursing, mental health, and counselling will also be eligible to apply.

Students accepted into the Master of Social Work program would normally receive 13.5 units of credit for topics successfully completed within the Graduate Certificate upon application.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions such as work experience, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The course is designed to enhance the knowledge and practice skills of practitioners who work with children and adolescents, especially in the child protection area. Students will gain knowledge about the many influences upon children&##39;s safety and well-being, and the impact of and children&##39;s responses to major life events and transitions.

Throughout the course, the focus will be the perspective of children and young people, with students acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with this client group, to interview children and to consider the child&##39;s perspective (consistent with the child&##39;s age, maturity and circumstances) in case-planning. Child protection legislation and research around Australian child protection practices will be emphasised.

Learning outcomes

It is expected that students who complete this course will be able to:

• describe the importance of child-centred practice in ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the perspectives of children and young people with respect to developmental processes and major life events
• in their professional capacity, communicate effectively with children and young people
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of personal and external circumstances and events which can compromise optimal child and adolescent development and well-being
• demonstrate knowledge of risk factors and related preventive and remedial interventions
• demonstrate familiarity with the literature on child and adolescent well-being
• use the knowledge and skills acquired to make accurate psycho-social assessments, and to identify, deliver, and/or coordinate services to children and their families
• write comprehensive case-plans which include or acknowledge (where possible) the child&##39;s perspective
• demonstrate knowledge of child protection legislation, assessment and interventions.
  

Program of study

To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Child Well-being and Protection, a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Except with permission of the Faculty Board:

• the program must be completed in one semester full-time, or equivalent part-time
• no topic may be attempted more than twice
• a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken.

Core - Year 1 topics

 SOAD9211  Child Welfare  (4.5 units)
 SOAD9212  Complexities in Child Protection  (4.5 units)
 SOAD9216  Interventions with Children and Young People  (4.5 units)
 SOAD9221  Professional Practice Project  (4.5 units)