Qualification Overview
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Qualification Title | New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 3) | |
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Qualification Type | Certificate | |
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Level | 3 | |
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Credits | 70 | |
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Subject Area |
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Strategic Purpose Statement |
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the entry-level skills and knowledge required to provide rights-based and person-centred support in the disability sector.
This qualification is suitable for learners entering the disability support sector, or as professional development for those already working in a support role in the wider health and wellbeing sector. Graduates will benefit by gaining transferable skills valued across the sector and the specific capabilities needed to support disabled people, their whānau and wider communities. Graduates will be capable of working under the supervision of a health professional. |
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Graduate profile |
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of professional and ethical behaviour in a disability support setting. - Apply rights-based and person-centred approaches to support disabled people. - Demonstrate inclusive communication and respect for cultural preferences in a disability support setting. - Apply safe working practices within the boundaries of own disability support role. - Identify and examine the principles of the Enabling Good Lives approach and how they relate to disability support practice. - Recognise the lived experience and support considerations of disabled people. |
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Education pathways |
This qualification builds on the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) [Ref: 2469].
This qualification may lead to further higher-level study in related disability and health and wellbeing areas such as: - New Zealand Certificate in Disability Support (Level 4) [Ref: 5562] - New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4) [Ref: 4108] - New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with strands in Community Health Work; Disability Support; Diversional and Recreational Therapy; Mental Health and Addiction Support; and Whānau, Community and Social Services [Ref: 2992] - New Zealand Certificate in the Care and Enabling of Tāngata Whaikaha (Level 4) [Ref: 2880] - New Zealand Certificate in Tiaki Kuia, Koroua (Level 4) [Ref: 2874] - New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Level 5) (Practice/Applied Practice) [Ref: 3244] Other relevant qualifications at Level 4 or above, focusing on health, community, or disability services. |
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Entry Requirements | Not available | |
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Education Organisation | No organisations currently offer this qualification. | |
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Developed By | Toitu te Waiora Community, Health, Education and Social Services Workforce Development Council | |
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Quality Assured By | New Zealand Qualifications Authority | |
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Number | 5561 | |
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Status | Current | |
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Created | 2026-01-07 09:45:37.463 | |
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Next Review | 2030-12-31 00:00:00.0 | |
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Content | View full qualification details | |
Qualification Title
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There are different types of qualifications including certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate certificates and diplomas. Qualification types relate to NZQF levels.
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The NZQF has ten levels. Level one is least complex and is often entry-level, for example foundation certificates. Levels eight to ten are the most complex, and include post-graduate study.
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+Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]Subject Area
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Strategic purpose statement explains the reason why the qualification has been developed. It identifies the target learners and for what roles the qualification prepares them.
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