Diversional Therapy (Level 4)
The National Certificate in Diversional Therapy (Level 4) is designed for people working as diversional therapists (also known as activities officers) in a community, residential home, or hospital setting.
Diversional therapy is defined as a professional practice which recognises and facilitates purposeful recreational, leisure, and pleasure activities for individual consumers. The diversional therapist focuses on choices made by consumers, with the aim of enhancing their independence and physical, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing in a supportive environment.
Holders of this qualification will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the philosophy, purpose, and benefits of diversional therapy; the role of the diversional therapist; and the application of principles of quality assurance to diversional therapy practice.
This qualification recognises the skills required to: develop, implement, evaluate, and adapt diversional therapy careplans for individuals, groups, people with identified health conditions,and people experiencing grief and loss; develop a diversional therapy resource manual, identify safety concerns, assess risk, and develop appropriate risk management strategies; and provide support to people, in particular people living with dementia and/or exhibiting challenging behaviour patterns, in a person-centred, culturally appropriate manner.
This qualification forms part of an integrated pathway of progressive knowledge and skills acquisition. The pathway begins with the National Certificate in Community Support Services (Foundation Skills) (Level 2), which leads to the National Certificate in Community Support Services (Core Competencies) (Level 3), the prerequisite for award of this qualification. Candidates may choose to work towards the National Certificate in Community Support Services (Core Competencies) (Level 3) at the same time as this qualification.
Completion Timeframe
The average timeframe in which people complete this programme is 24 months
Cost
The cost of this qualification is $250 (incl GST) per trainee.
Included in this price is entry of the trainee into the NZQA system and related credit registration costs plus a framed certificate and a badge. Printed resources are not included in this price.
NZ Society of Diversional Therapists
The NZ Society of Diversional Therapists provides quality service and education in all aspects of Diversional Therapy.
The Society can provide additional information, networking opportunities and other supports to trainees enrolled in the National Certificate in Diversional Therapy (Level 4).
To find out more go to www.diversionaltherapy.net.nz
More Information
Click here to view the Information Sheet for this qualification.
Prerequisite - Core Competencies
You cannot be awarded this qualification until you have successfully completed the Core Competencies qualification.
You may complete unit standards in Core Competencies and in this qualification in any order; however you MUST complete the last unit standard in Core Competencies before you complete the last unit standard in this qualification.
Assessing the qualification
To assess this qualification you must:
- have a qualification or unit standard(s) at or above level 4, and which is in a relevant subject area
- hold or be prepared to obtain Unit Standard 4098
- have a minimum of three years recent industry experience and/or have undertaken relevant professional development.
Click here for more information on this criteria
If you are an Occupational Therapist or Registered Nurse interested in assessing this qualification, click here
Resources
Employers or trainees may purchase the learning resources they require online from the Careerforce Shop: www.shop.careerforce.org.nz
You can order these learning resources at any time and do not have to have trainees enrolled prior to making your order. The price for workbooks ranges from $10-$20. The cost for postage and packaging is additional.
Trainee's Assessment
Trainee's Assessments for the following unit standards can be found here: www.careerforce.org.nz/trainee-assessments
- 5012: Moving People
- 16870: Causes and conditions related to intellectual disability
- 23380: Cultural Safety
- 23385: Self Advocacy
- 23388: Challenging Behaviour
- 1279: Write in Plain English
- 5786: Personal Care Plans
- 5788: Group Care Plans
- 5789: Diversional Therapy Activities
- 5791: Safety in a Diversional Therapy Setting
- 5792: Care Plan for Grief and Loss
- 5795: Quality Assurance to Diversional Therapy Practice
- 16874: Communication Impairment
- 23375: Hearing Impairment
- 23918: Role and Skills of Diversional Therapists
- 23920: Communication and Dementia
- 23921: Supporting a Person Living with Dementia
- 23922: Caring for a Person Living with Dementia
- 23923: Dementia and Challenging Behaviour
- 25770: Support Services for Diversional Therapists
Printed copies of the Trainee's Assessments can also be purchased from the Careerforce Shop at a cost of $5 per assessment. The cost for postage and packaging is additional.
DT Success: Proud Moment for Diversional Therapist
Laurel Morgan of Ashwood Park Retirement Village was one of the proud graduates who stepped across the stage at the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs graduation in Blenheim in August.
The newly-qualified diversional therapist has moved up from a position as caregiver and says she is proud that her National Certificate in Diversional Therapy (level four) has fitted her to do her job of meeting the physical mental and emotional needs of the people she works with.
“The aim is to ensure that their life is as normal as possible”.
It’s not an easy job, she said. “It can be like working on a battlefront for five hours a day. It’s very challenging”.
Laurel credits the support she got from her tutor and diversional therapy ‘guru’ Judy Cooper as critical to her success.
“It was through her that I got into this. I went to hear her at a seminar in Nelson.”
Forty-eight year old Laurel hadn’t particularly wanted to go. “I just thought ‘Naaaggghh’ but I went and it hit me. This is what I want to do.”
The learning journey has not always been easy. “There were a few heartaches along the way, but I’ve done it!”
Her study may not be finished either. It has opened up whole new possible areas she could get into.
“I just wish I’d started all this sooner. And I wished more people realised it can be done”, says Laurel.
Courtesy of the Blenheim Sun.
