The Community and Social Services Graduate Program: Case studies

The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is a 12-month, whole of sector graduate program for community and social services.

Developed by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the Community and Social Services Graduate Program is open to graduates and organisations across the community and social services sectors to address the challenges of attracting and retaining graduate-level workforce. The program invests in early-career professionals, to build their skills and experience and develop the community and social services workforce of the future.

Here are some graduates* describing their experiences of the program:

Jimmy’s story

I understand lived experience, having been part of a family where not all emotional regulations were like that depicted in The Brady Bunch. 

What led you to community and social services and the Graduate Program?

As a country lad working at the local recreational centre and supporting an out-of-school-hours care program, my interest was sparked in how decisions are made when reports of child harm arose with the diverse families in the community. I understand lived experience, having been part of a family where not all emotional regulations were like that depicted in The Brady Bunch. 

Enrolling in a Bachelor of Psychology appeared scary at the time. It turned out to be the start of my career in state government, protecting children and helping families build their capacity. 

My career path started in community and social services in child protection in the Western suburbs. I work in the Assessment and Investigations team, supporting the reporting and early investigations of possible child harm. In a year I’ve progressed to standing in court with a mandate to protect children from evidence of harm.  

What made the Graduate Program a rewarding experience for you?

The pace of the activities can be managed in my workload. I’ve learnt a lot – so much so that I’m being asked by my supervisor to step up to lead the practice of new starters as I come to the end of my 12 months in the Graduate Program. I was not expecting that. 

I have enjoyed working with First Nations families and feel this is an area I will expand my practice in. 

I have loved all the peer networking in the Graduate Program, how valuable it is to be able to contact a peer in another sector to ask questions that will make a positive difference to my client’s outcomes. I get calls all the time, and through my peer group learning it’s great to know the scope of what others do in their day.  

What would you say to new participants in the program?

My advice to new starters is ask lots of questions and don’t think every client is the same. Understand the impact of trauma on individuals. 

Daniel’s story

Who would have thought that as a tradie I could work with people who have support needs, some of which I have experienced in my past life. 

What led you to community and social services and the Graduate Program?

My story started out by taking the road less challenging. As an adolescent I was steered down the trade path, and that’s where I remained for over 10 years.  

My friend convinced me I could do a diploma course to work across the community and social services sector. I was amazed at how much I liked the course and the pathway to a new career. Who would have thought that as a tradie I could work with people who have support needs, some of which I have experienced in my past life. 

My career path in community and social services started in a housing intake team within a large statewide provider in the Mallee area. My role has increased to direct complex client support, meeting and maintaining people’s housing needs.   

What made the Graduate Program a rewarding experience for you?

While I missed the face-to-face cross sector orientation delivered by the Graduate Program, I heard how fantastic it was for networking. I’ve enjoyed the learning series and meeting up with lots of people, including clients. I love my work, and the confidence the Graduate Program has given me in my practice has been noted by my supervisor and team. 

Knowing what other peers across the sectors do is important to making connections for my clients to support their needs. The networking in the graduate program was valuable – although noting that, as I work in a rural area, the number of connections was less. 

The Graduate Program has made me want to learn about how to be a better practitioner. 

What would you say to new participants in the program?

My message to others is nothing is impossible. I also try to encourage my clients, telling them that life is not all bad.  

Isaac’s story

I had transferable skills with customer service and managing a team.   

What led you to community and social services and the Graduate Program?

My previous role before this was in retail with Telstra. I had transferable skills with customer service and managing a team.   

I needed a career change so I went to study a Diploma of Community Services. That lead me to want to work in the community. 

I was invited by my teachers in my course to apply for the Graduate Program. This has been a great start to my new career in an information service with a large council area north of Melbourne. 

What made the Graduate Program a rewarding experience for you?

The learning series and peer network has fast-tracked my understanding of what other services do.  

My first conversation with clients was nerve racking, I didn’t feel confident. Now, after six months in my role, my confidence has increased and my understanding of how the community services sector works has been an asset to my practice. 

All the networks I have made are valuable. I appreciate the diversity of the roles across the group I was allocated to.  

*Names have been changed

Read more about the Graduate Program here.