New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) - (Disability Support)

Programme outline

Students attend the polytechnic three days per course, with the remaining hours completed in the work place. Workplace hours are a minimum of six hours per week and independent study is approximately nine hours per week.

This programme uses blended learning methods for delivery that combines face to face, online delivery and work-integrated learning. 

Teaching and Learning

The programme offers the following four courses: 

HWB4001: Whānaungatanga Building Relationships (30 credits)

This course develops skills and knowledge to enable students to build effective professional relationships with people, families and whānau, and community networks in a health or social service setting. Students demonstrate an understanding of socio-cultural and historical factors that impact on health and/or social outcomes. Students reflect on their use of appropriate communication strategies that are respectful of diversity and that demonstrate working in partnership with others.

HWB4061: Safety and Practice in Disability Support (30 credits)

This course develops skills and knowledge that enable students to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of disabled people, their whānau and families. Students will demonstrate an understanding of advocacy relevant to working with people, whānau and/or family accessing community services. Students will reflect on ethical and legal implications related to their role.

HWB4002: Leadership and Cultural Responsiveness (30 credits)

This course develops skills and knowledge to enable students to provide culturally responsive care and advocate appropriately. Students demonstrate an understanding of their role in quality improvement and its impact on improving health and wellbeing. Students reflect on their own personal leadership and their ability to influence effective teamwork to work alongside and promote self-management and health literacy of people, families and whānau.

HWB4062: Disability Support in Aotearoa New Zealand Context

This course develops the skills and knowledge to enable the student to demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a support person. Students will demonstrate an understanding of disability relevant to working alongside disabled people, their whānau and family in a community facilitation setting. Students will reflect on the tools and strategies used to identify goals, address barriers and achieve aspirations for disabled people.

Entry requirements

Domestic

NCEA Level 1 or equivalent; evidence of suitability based on referees and safety check, to meet relevant legislation.

International

Proven equivalence for Domestic Entry Requirements plus IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no band score lower than 5.5.

Find your country's equivalent academic entry requirements here

*International fee displayed is for 1 year of study (equivalent to 120 credits) and does not include insurance and administration (approximately $924 per year of study).

How to apply

We recommend you apply online from the Whitireia website. Before you start your online application, you will need to have the following documentation available to upload when requested:

• Completed supplementary application form
• Referee report
• Verified ID
• Verified official transcripts

Give the referee report to a person who is willing to be your referee. Ask them to complete the forms and either return to yourself (so you can upload with your application), or scan and email to [email protected] within 10 days.

Alternatively, completed applications can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped into:

Enrolments, Whitireia, 3 Wi Neera Drive, Porirua

Give yourself credit →

Use the knowledge you already have to fast-track your qualification. Workplace-learning, volunteering, professional development, other provider qualifications and online courses can be recognised as prior learning and put towards your qualification. Start by getting in touch with us, or find out more here.

Whitireia and WelTec are a business division of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.