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Training for community workers
The provision of high quality training is central to improving outcomes for people accessing community-managed services.
Funded training is provided to workers employed through the following Office of Housing funded programs:
- Transitional Housing Managers
- Registered Community Housing Providers
- Registered Housing Associations
- Homelessness Assistance Services
- Integrated Family Violence Services
- Social Housing Advocacy and Support Providers
Most workshops promoted on the calendar cost $38.50 (GST inclusive) per participant. In some instances, this fee may be higher subject to the type of course on offer.
Dedicated training events implemented to support new initiatives generally do not attract a fee for participants. Examples of these types of events include training for entry point workers for Opening Doors and practice development workshops for youth workers.
The training program is managed by Housing Sector Development in the Office of Housing.
Generally the majority of training offered each semester is promoted on the homelessness assistance and community managed housing training calendar.
The Office of Housing is currently finalising an advertised tender process for the training provider for 2009/10. Once this process is complete, the successful provider will be distributing an electronic training calendar.
The training calendar offers a range of accredited and non-accredited workshops and also includes NDCA training.
Accessing training
There is a range of different type of training and professional development opportunities available. In most instances, workers need to contact the training provider directly.
In some circumstances, training opportunities are limited to workers in particular sub sectors. For instance, a number of funded training programs offered through Domestic Violence Resource Centre are limited to family violence workers.
Workers should contact the training provider to determine if places are available for the workshop of interest. Nomination forms are available from the training provider. Where a payment is required, this should be included on submission of the nomination form.
Most training providers run waiting lists. If the workshop of interest is already fully subscribed, please request the training provider to include you on their waiting list. This enables both the Office of Housing and training providers to determine future demand for specific workshops.
Available training courses
Family Violence Training
The Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRC) is funded by the Office of Housing to offer a range of family violence specific workshops for the sector. Some additional workshops will be offered during 2009 for generalist workers. Workers need to contact DVRC directly on (03) 9486 9866.
Integrated Family Violence Pathways Training
This training is offered through a consortium of providers led by Swinburne University of Technology TAFE Division. Expressions of interest for the next training program commencing in semester two, 2009 will be advertised shortly.
Opening Doors training
Opening Doors training has been designed and contextualised for entry point workers located at Local Area Service Networks. Supervision training has also been designed in accordance with the Opening Doors Framework to enhance and further develop the skills of Team Leaders and Managers in their supervision and support to Entry Point workers.
This training is being progressively delivered on a regional basis.
Youth Practice Development Workshops
These workshops are being progressively implemented across the state for Youth Homelessness Practitioners. The workshops cover training in a range of best practice and research-based approaches to build on the knowledge and skills of youth workers.
The Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS) is the lead agency for developing and delivering this training and nominations for these workshops.
Family Violence Protection Act training
The Domestic Violence Resource Centre is piloting two workshops this semester on this new legislation. Further workshops will be scheduled for 2009-10.
Reimbursement of training costs
To ensure rural based workers can access training in metropolitan areas, the Office of Housing provides reimbursement for travel, accommodation and meals.
Conditions apply and reimbursements are limited to workers employed in nominated Office of Housing funded programs.
New reimbursement rates and guidelines apply from January 2009. As noted in the training reimbursement guidelines, we now require a tax invoice to process these reimbursements. The new claim form can be used for this purpose.
Training Reimbursements Policy (Word Size 91KB, Pages 4)
Making reimbursement claims
Agencies will need to complete the below claim forms when making claims:
Travel reimbursement claim form
This form must be completed for claiming travel costs to attend training. Copies of receipts must be attached.
Travel reimbursement claim form (Word Size 72KB, Pages 1)
Private vehicle travel claim form
This form must be completed for claiming costs associated when using a private vehicle to attend training.
Private vehicle travel claim form (Word Size 72KB, Pages 1)
Relief staff claim form
This form must be completed for claiming costs associated when hiring relief staff when a staff member attends training.
Relief staff claim form (Word Size 60KB, Pages 1)
Training Notes
The first in a series of quarterly training bulletins was released in February 2009.