The qualification is designed for domestic students, particularly those from or with interest in working in health care roles with Maori and Pasifika and other ethnic groups represented in Auckland's increasingly diverse communities. It will also appeal to international students with overseas qualifications and experience in health or associated fields who seek employment in the health care industry.

The qualification will provide graduates who are able to work with a holistic perspective to enhance the well-being of culturally diverse individuals, families, organisations, and communities in an increasingly complex and changing primary health care sector.

Health promotion and public health are growing areas of employment and include a focus on healthy living, preventative care programmes and rehabilitation, and the use of community-focused health strategies. A specific emphasis on palliative and aged care is useful and relevant in Aotearoa/New Zealand with its demographically aging population.

Graduates will be capable of adapting in an evolving health sector and will be committed to improving the quality standards of health care by engaging in independent learning and reflection of practice. With a significant work placement at the end of the programme, graduates will be work ready for employment in the industry as non-clinical health professionals.

After successful completion of this qualification, graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge relevant to health issues to assist in the enhancement of the health of individuals, whanau/families, organisations, and communities;
- Critically assess ways in which socio-cultural, economic, and physical environments are determinants of the health of individuals, whanau/families, organisations, and communities;
- Evaluate how well the holistic health needs of individuals, whanau/families, organisations, and communities are met through the provision of and access to health services;
- Analyse concepts of health caregivers' role, including legislation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, and health ethics;
- Research, articulate, and apply knowledge and skills relevant to ethical and effective health promotion practices within their work context;
- Use analytical and inquiry processes to further their development as a community health care and/or support giver.

Graduates of the Diploma in Community Health Care and Support (Level 7) may be eligible (dependent on a degree from their home country, if international) for entry into a variety of further tertiary programmes relating to this field of study; for example:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, University of Auckland, Massey University
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, University of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Practice, Waikato Institute of Technology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management, University of Otago
- Master of Health Sciences, Universities of Otago, Canterbury, or Auckland

Domestic Students

Academic Criteria
University Entrance as specified on the NZQA website (here); or
Successful completion of a qualification at level 5 or above.
For domestic applicants for whom English is not their first language, evidence of language competency may be required.

Criminal Record Check
New Zealand School of Education will carry out a criminal record check on prospective students. Student entry will be provisional until these checks have been completed. The outcome of the police check will be kept on record.

Interview
All domestic applicants are required to attend an interview.

Referee Check and Statutory Declaration
As part of the application process, students will be required to provide two referees that New Zealand School of Education can contact to determine the suitability for work in the community health sector. Students will also be required to complete a statutory declaration around soundness of character.

International Students

English Language requirements
International students for whom English is not their first language will be required to show evidence of language competency, issued within the last two years, from one test, before being eligible to enrol. The level of competency required is IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band lower than 5.5 or a completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 4) with the academic endorsement, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined in Rule 18 and Appendix 2 of the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules 2013 (here

Academic Criteria
Minimum of a level 5 Diploma in Health or associated field and one year of work experience, or a level 6 diploma or above from any discipline.