Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing (GC-ADOLHW) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

Communication and Advocacy Skills

• communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a diverse range of audiences in a range of professional contexts (eg. when working with young people, families, agencies, other professionals and the media);
• analyse and present arguments for change and inform these using relevant evidence from contemporary research and policies impacting on young people, their families and workers in professional practice settings;
• apply interview, conflict resolution and feedback strategies that reflect sensitivity to the needs of individuals and groups.

Capacity Building Skills

• work effectively, in a non-judgmental way with young people, different sectors and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and community contexts;
• develop collaborative ways of working and learning by contributing to cross-disciplinary networks and partnerships within / across the different agencies, sectors and professions which work with young people;
• develop approaches to initiate change (eg. in one's own organisation; when working with young people; in contributing to policy development; and in continuing to develop and reflect on one's own practice).

Research and Evaluation Skills

• use a range of information and communication technologies to effectively locate, select, represent, communicate and manage information;
• analyse, critically evaluate and use contemporary research literature and professional information to inform development of evidence-based approaches to practice, program design, treatment approaches and policy analysis;
• apply a range of program evaluation approaches, including selection of appropriate evaluation methods, monitoring of the impact / outcomes of program developments and needs assessment.

Critical Reflection and Cognition Skills

• evaluate and apply different frameworks of thinking, theory, and approach to inform decision making and professional practice;
• actively participate in collaborative, critical enquiry processes as a means of enhancing one's own learning and developing evidence-informed approaches to practice;
• identify, analyse and critically reflect on the relationship between context and health that impact on a young person, family, community or professional.

Legal and Ethical Skills

• recognise and apply the policy, legislative and organisational rules and guidelines within which professions practice;
• develop strategies for dealing with ethical issues in adolescent health care.

In addition to the objectives and capabilities outlined above, the Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing is designed to enable students to:

• demonstrate a commitment to critical enquiry and evidence-based practice so as to maintain currency with contemporary debates and continuously inform practice;
• analyse and reflect on national and international adolescent health issues and trends as they relate to particular communities and professional practice settings;
• further develop and apply principles associated with micro and macro approaches to practice in adolescent health and wellbeing;
• plan, implement and evaluate effective prevention, early intervention and intervention strategies relevant to work with young people.

In addition to the capabilities outlined above, it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• further develop collaborative ways of working within/across the different agencies, sectors and professions which work with young people;
• implement change processes within and beyond their own organisation to enhance youth participation, engagement and inclusivity;
• implement and evaluate evidence-based practice strategies to as they relate to particular communities and professional practice settings.

Specific knowledge and skills to work in adolescent health and wellbeing practice, program development and policy analysis.