School Of Social SciencesManaging Community ServicesWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 400608.2
Discipline: WELFARE STUDIES
Student Contribution Band: 1
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Assumed Knowledge
this unit requires foundation knowledge in welfare and community work theory and practice as identified in the pre-requisite
Prerequisite
400506 Community Work and Community Development
About this Unit
The community sector plays an increasing role in the lives of all Australians. It includes non-profit and cooperative enterprises working in the fields as diverse as health, welfare, environment, human rights, cultural, sporting and education. This unit aims to equip students with the specific knowledge and skills required to work in community based organisations and encourage them to look critically at the role played by the community sector in our economy. Analysis and understanding of policy and practices in the community sector is essential for practitioners in the human services. Good management skills are vital to the success of any community organisation. The development of management competency is also associated with career progression and professional development. Government social policy in the late 20th century favoured transferring responsibility for the provision of programs for disadvantaged groups to the community sector via competitive tendering, or the privatisation of services. Community organisations face new pressures from government to be effective, efficient and accountable. Governments are more and more perceving community organisations to be an economic extension of the state.