Community services

Success in any of the Community Services courses at CDU require a range of academic and professional skills. These include:

• Reading and comprehension – to understand policies, client needs, and service guidelines
• Active listening – to engage effectively with clients and colleagues
• Writing – to document case notes, reports, and workplace correspondence
• Research skills – to find reliable information on community programs and policies
• Critical thinking and problem-solving – to assess client needs, make ethical decisions, and develop appropriate support strategies

These skills are particularly important with scenario-based problems, which are a common assessment form in this course. Completing this section will help you in both your studies, and help prepare you for real-world community service roles.

Click through the images below to read why these skills are important and practical strategies to develop and strengthen these skills.

There are a few activities you could complete to practice these skills. These include

• Having a conversation with your classmate or colleague and analysing your listening skills. 
• Writing a personal, reflective journal. 
• Finding a text that is important to your workplace or course and highlight the key words, then create a short summary.

Scenario-based questions are a common assessment within the Community Services courses. They assess your ability to apply communication skills, show empathy, make ethical decisions, and problem solve in potential real-world situations. These tasks require you to consider a client's needs, identify key priorities, and explore appropriate strategies for support.

Your assessor will be looking for responses that demonstrate:

To help you practice these skills, complete the task below. 

Read the scenario carefully and think about what the key issues are. Think about how you would respond to the client in a professional and supportive manner. Write your responses down before looking at the suggestions. As you click on one of the responses, think about why this is a good or bad response. Reflect on the feedback given and how you can use this in your role.

Now that you have reviewed all the responses, consider how each response could impact the client and the overall outcome. This practice will help you adjust your approach as needed in real-world situations.

Reflect on what you have learned in this material and consider how you can apply it to your studies and in your workplace.

• Consider keeping a learning journal where you can reflect on your workplace, using your strengthened academic skills. You could use the template below to get started.

   

• Remember peer learning is a great part of studying. Organise activities with your colleagues or classmates where you assess each other’s workplace documents and provide constructive feedback.

   

• Consider setting SMART goals for improving your skills. (SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound).