National Certificate in Community Support Services (Foundation Skills) (Level 2), 43 Credits

This qualification was registered on the National Qualifications Framework in July 2007. It consists of nine compulsory unit standards totalling 43 credits. This qualification is designed as an entry-level qualification to recognise the knowledge and skills required of support workers during their induction into work in a health or disability setting. Holders of this qualification are able to provide support for consumers in a health or disability setting.

Those awarded this qualification are able to understand infection control requirements, support a consumer’s quality of life, provide a safe and secure environment, understand their role, understand how to handle equipment and people, understand how to work safely, meet the requirements of the consumer’s service delivery plan, understand how to use pre-packaged medication and understand a consumer’s rights and responsibilities.

Holders of this certificate can gain 17 credits towards the level 3 National Certificate in Community Support (Core Competencies).

This qualification is designed so that people can gain it either through an accredited training provider or through a work-based training programme.

The cost of this qualification is $150 (incl GST) per trainee, plus hook-on fee of $25 (if applicable).

Updates - please note the following updates to published assessment materials.

• There is an error in the Infection Control Answer Guide (page 33) for US 20826 relating Dengue Fever. Vaccines are in the development and testing phase for the disease but are not yet commercially available.  The answer guide was amended at the end of 2007 to reflect this.  The “Best Prevention” section of the table does not count towards competency. This applies to the Version of the Answer Guide used before the issue of the Workplace Assessment Portfolios only.
• The Trainee assessment portfolio for US 23685 v1 Pre-packaged medication, on page 4 question 2, asks for trainees to "Demonstrate or describe two advantages and two disadvantages for the consumer associated with pre-packaged medication (1.2)." However, the column for ticking when competent only asks for advantages. Pls change the bottom four boxes in this column to read Disadvantage 1, Disadvantage 2, etc. The updated version is available as a PDF below.
• The Trainee assessment portfolio for US 23453 v1 Looking after me, on page 4, asks for trainees to complete a diary for a week (1.1).However, after feedback from assessors and trainees, we now only expect this to be completed for three working days of a typical week. The associated Workplace Assessors Portfolio has also been updated and is availabe from Careerforce. The updated TAP is available as a PDF below.

Trainee Assessments

20826 (PDF 434KB)

20829 (PDF 540KB)

20830 (PDF 150KB)

23451 (PDF 408KB)

23452 (PDF 125KB)

23453 (PDF 162KB)

23454 (PDF 402KB)

23685 (PDF 100KB)

23686 (PDF 111KB)

Assessor Assessments

To obtain these you must complete a Request for Assessor Portfolio Form

For information on the Foundations qualifications click here for the NZQA Website