Thames Information Session | Health and Wellbeing
Become a support worker with our Certificate in Health and Wellbeing. Join us for an information session to find out how you can start your career journey in Thames this Semester 2.
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4)
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with strands in Mental Health and Addiction Support, Social Services, Community Facilitation, Community Health Work
HS1801
Course details
-
Jul 2022Feb 2023
- One year
- Full-time
- FREE under TTAF* (usually $2,500)
- You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy
- Level 4
- Hamilton City Campus, Online delivery or Thames
Summary
The one-year New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing provides students with the foundation knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work alongside individuals, families and whānau accessing social and community services.
Students select from one of four strands as the focus of their studies:
- Mental health and addiction support: Apply mental health and/or addiction tools and strategies when working alongside tangata, family and/or whānau to support autonomy, foster hope, and develop resilience.
- Social services: Apply community and social services tools and strategies when working alongside tangata, family and/or whānau to support autonomy, identify goals, reduce vulnerability and build resilience or achieve aspirations.
- Community health work (not available for 2022).
- Community facilitation (not available for 2022).
A key benefit of this programme is the flexibility in how it is delivered. All students attend a compulsory two-day induction on the Hamilton City Campus at the start of the programme, and a one-day marae experience at the Wintec Marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa in Hamilton. Students then have the option to study face-to-face with tutors and their peers two days a week (in Hamilton), with the remainder of tutorials conducted online. Some students can complete the entire programme of study online. This latter option is available to those currently employed in a relevant role within the sector.
All students must have access to a device suitable to access course material and complete assignments online.
Students also undertake 200 practicum hours in a work setting relevant to their selected strand to enhance their learning and develop professional practice.
View programme modules
Group A: Core compulsory modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMC409 | Introduction to the Health and Wellbeing Sector | 4 | 10 | ||
| COMC410 | Preparing for Practice | 4 | 15 | ||
| COMC411 | Te Ao Hauora Māori | 4 | 15 | ||
| COMC412 | Contemporary Issues in Health and Wellbeing | 4 | 15 | ||
| COMC413 | Working with People | 4 | 15 |
Group B: Mental Health and Addiction Support strand compulsory modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMC414 | Mental Health and Addiction Support Practicum 1 | 4 | 20 | ||
| COMC415 | Mental Health and Addiction Support Practicum 2 | 4 | 30 |
Group C: Social Services strand compulsory modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMC416 | Social Services Practicum 1 | 4 | 20 | ||
| COMC417 | Social Services Practicum 2 | 4 | 30 |
Group D: Community Facilitation strand compulsory modules
| Module code | Module title | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMC418 | Community Facilitation Practicum 1 | 4 | 20 | ||
| COMC419 | Community Facilitation Practicum 2 | 4 | 30 |
Please note, this strand is currently not available.
Group E: Community Health Work strand compulsory modules
Career/further opportunities
This qualification meets the requirements for the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity Settlement. Completion will allow employees and those seeking to enter the industry to follow a career path with qualification attainment linked to wage increases.
Depending on the strand you choose, graduate opportunities may include:
- Mental health and addiction support work
- Family violence support
- Social justice advocacy
- Community development work
- Refugee support
- Disability support
- Employment, housing and budget support advisor
- Tamariki ora support
- Field officer work
- Health and wellbeing coaching
Further study opportunities
Graduates of this programme may go on to degree-level study including:
Frequently asked questions
How much time outside of class will I need to spend on study?
In addition to class time and online tutor directed learning, students are also need to complete independent learning – in total the mix of study time will add up to about 40 hours per week
Who is this certificate best suited to?
It is suitable for people who currently work in, or who wish to work in support worker positions in the areas of disability, aged-care, mental health, and community work.
What is the benefit of having this certificate?
Those who hold this certificate can attain higher wages through the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity Settlement. You can find out more about that here.
What is the difference between this certificate and the Te Are Pūtake pathway?
The difference between the Certificate in Health and Wellbeing and Te Ara Pūtake, is that the certificate has two distinct purposes. Those who successfully complete it can either transition to further study in Social Practice (using it as a pathway qualification), or improve their employment and pay outcomes in the role of a Support Workers. The core role of Te Ara Pūtake is as a bridging qualification that students generally complete with the intent to continue studying further.
Placements
As part of your programme of study, you will spend 200 hours in a practicum placement; this is where you link the theory you are learning with practical application.
Face to face
You will be expected to be proactive in finding work placements. Think about the agencies you already know about or are connected with and agencies whose work you are most interested in experiencing. Once your study
has started, you will be supported by the practicum coordinator to approach and confirm your placement. Note that some placement options are limited, and you may be required to undertake a placement experience in an agency that is not your first option.
Online
As an online student, you will be expected to complete your placement hours in your current workplace.
Travel and parking
You will be required to pay for your own travel and parking when undertaking practicum placements.
Please note, that while you are on placement you will need access to a computer and the internet so you can undertake assessment and communicate with your tutor etc.
Covid-19 vaccination information
On 11 October 2021, the Government announced that the ‘groups of affected persons’ in the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 (Order) will be extended to include high-risk workers in the health and disability sector,
school and early learning staff, and support people who have contact with children and students. The effect of this is that vaccination will soon be mandatory for health and education workforces, which will extend to those seeking to work within
those sectors on placement.
To complete this programme of study, it is necessary to complete a placement/placements. With the introduction of the Order, we cannot secure placements for learners who are not vaccinated or do not wish to share their vaccination status and who will not, therefore, be able to successfully complete the programme.
Events
Disclaimers
*TTAF covers tuition fees to 31 December 2022. You will be required to self-fund study that continues in 2023. If you have a question or need help, check out these frequently asked questions and answers, or contact us by email.
Entry criteria
You can apply for this programme if you meet one or more of the below options.
Based on your school achievement (secondary study)
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 1; including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)
- A relevant course at NZQF Level 2;
- Or a recognised equivalent.
Based on your work experience (on the job)
If you can demonstrate relevant knowledge, skills and experience that you have gained through work experience, that will help you to be successful in the programme.
Based on discretionary entrance
If you don’t meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good chance of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an academic International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5, with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?
Pathways
To check what you need to gain entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Your first day
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Induction information for students starting Semester 2 2022
Date: Monday 25 July 2022
Time: 8.30am-4pm
Venue: The Long Room, City Campus
If you are an online student, we welcome and encourage you to attend this induction. If you are studying in Thames, we will contact you about your induction at the Thames Campus closer to your start date.
Prospectus (course guide)
The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.
Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus
The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.
Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus
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