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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Social Work

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111505	Bachelor of Social Work
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Promotive Health and Developmental Services
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction		EXCO 0324/24	2024-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2034-06-30

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Bachelor of Social Work is a professional qualification that aims to meet the demands that social workers are well grounded in general practice with knowledge, understanding and skills in a variety of settings.

The purpose of this professional qualification is to equip learners with:

Skills to challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion.

Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and social systems and the skills to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote social well-being.

The ability and competence to assist and empower individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities to enhance their social functioning and their problem-solving capacities.

The ability to promote, restore, maintain and enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities by enabling them to accomplish tasks, prevent and alleviate distress and use resources effectively.

An understanding of and the ability to demonstrate social work values and the principles of human rights and social justice while interacting with and assisting the range of human diversity.

The understanding and ability to provide social work services towards protecting people who are vulnerable, at-risk and unable to protect themselves.

Knowledge and understanding of both the South African and the global welfare context and the ability to implement the social development approach in social work services.

Understanding of the major social needs, issues, policies and legislation in the South African social welfare context and the social worker`s role and contribution.

The skills to work effectively within teams, including social work teams, multi- and inter-disciplinary teams as well as multi-sectoral teams. (South African Council for Social Services Professions).

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) will be offered to social workers from all over South Africa, Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) and globally. Offering this qualification will enable the institution to contribute to providing appropriate cadres of social work professionals equipped with competence to deal with social ills and injustices.

Through this qualification, the past social imbalances and injustices will be addressed. In the light of current global and national educational discourses, the thrust of social work education is towards the enhancement of professional status, identity, quality and responsibility.

Becoming a professional social worker requires thorough preparation which is achieved through a process of praxis whereby theory informs practice and practice in turn is critically appraised by theory. This qualification will offer an opportunity for access into initial professional preparation for qualifying learners who wish to develop focused knowledge and skills as social work practitioners. The qualification will provide specific depth and specialisation of knowledge, together with practical skills and workplace experience. This will enable successful learners to apply their knowledge and skills in various contexts. Qualifying learners from the qualification will add to the number of qualified social workers nationally. This will benefit communities in which qualifying learners will be employed and will enhance the quality of life in social work praxis.

The typical range of learners will be those learners that have passed Grade 12, Further Education and Training College with relevant certificates, Auxiliary Social Workers as well as individuals that have practical knowledge in the field of social work but do not have a qualification. The qualification will appeal to them because it deals with social ills, injustices and human right issues.

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.

South Africa has adopted the social development paradigm of welfare, thus supporting a people-centred approach to social and economic development. Social work plays a major role in addressing the many development needs of South African society through social work services provided within many sectors such as government departments, businesses, non-governmental organisations and in private practice.

Lack of social cohesion, poverty and inequality constitute major threats to a country`s social, economic and political development. South Africa now has the highest Gini co-efficient (a tool which is utilised to measure levels of inequality) in the world, with an exceptionally rapid developing black middle class, so much so that the Gini co-efficient within the Black communities is close to the national norm (World Bank Gini Index Estimates; 2017). This indicates a pattern change - with exceptionally high rates of inequality emerging within population groups, with the socio-economic status of the majority of people essentially remaining unchanged. This situation results in fermenting disappointment and conflict. Social work plays a major role in addressing the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. It is also the task of social workers to act as advocates and watch-dogs for the poorest and most marginalised members of our society; to help people identify the impact of social and economic oppression and exclusion; and to engage people in social action to alter socio-economic structures and to improve their life circumstances.

Social workers will be equipped to deal with many of the consequences of social inequality, poverty and marginalisation. These include, amongst others, high levels of unemployment, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, drug abuse and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Given the rights of civil society and the ethical requirements of the profession, heavy weighting is given in this qualification to the development of practitioners who are critically reflective and able to practise within the value perspective of the social work profession. The overarching values that guide social work education and training are social justice and respect for all. The qualification is also designed to enable learners to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners in possession of Auxiliary Social Work and those that have work-related experience in the field of Social Work will go through the RPL process before being admitted into the qualification according to the institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Senior Certificate with endorsement;
Or

National Senior Certificate (NSC), Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies and an appropriate combination of subjects and levels of achievement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Develop and maintain professional social work relationships with client systems.
2. Assess client systems` social functioning.
3. Plan and implement appropriate social work intervention strategies and techniques at micro, mezzo and macro levels.
4. Access and utilise resources appropriate to client systems` needs and strengths.
5. Produce and maintain records of social work interventions, processes and outcomes.
6. Evaluate the outcomes of social work intervention strategies, techniques and processes.
7. Terminate social work intervention.
8. Negotiate and utilise contracts during social work intervention.
9. Demonstrate social work values while interacting with human diversity.
10. Appraise and implement the ethical principles and values of social work.
11. Use, plan and execute social work research.
12. Work effectively with social workers and members of inter-sectoral and multi- and/or inter-disciplinary teams in social service delivery.
13. Identify, select and implement various techniques, methods and means of raising awareness, developing critical consciousness about the structural forces of oppression, exclusion and disempowerment, and use such awareness to engage people as change agents.
14. Analyse human behaviour with regard to the intersections of race, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, differential abilities and sexual orientation.
15. Critically appraise social welfare and social work from a global, regional (African) and national perspective.
16. Critically appraise the current status and position of the social work profession within the South African welfare context.
17. Apply and uphold the basic values and principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the S.A. Constitution in relation to social work service delivery.
18. Elucidate national, provincial and local governance structures, and the general laws and charters governing social welfare policy and social work services in South Africa.
19. Demonstrate understanding of how social policies and legislation on social issues impact on these issues and how to use legislation ethically and accountably in order to protect and improve the quality of life of client systems from a social work perspective.
20. Demonstrate understanding of how social welfare policy and legislation are developed and influenced.
21. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles, functions, knowledge and skills for effective social work supervision and consultation.
22. Demonstrate understanding of roles, functions, principles and characteristics of management and administration within social service delivery.
23. Formulate a business plan for the funding of to fund social services.
24. Identify the influence of the relationship between socio-political and economic factors on social services.
25. Demonstrate understanding of the roles and functions of the social worker within relevant statutory frameworks.
26. Identify how social security is used optimally for the benefit of client systems.
27. Identify the purpose, functions and principles of social work within the social development paradigm.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the nature of client systems and their dynamics;

Implement social work principles at the individual, family, group, community and organisational level;

Demonstrate an understanding of ethical parameters;

Create enabling environments for client systems to develop their full capacity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Undertake a comprehensive analysis of client systems` needs and strengths;

Analyse client systems` needs and strengths reflect the application of appropriate theoretical frameworks;

Use of appropriate social work tools and data;

Understand the influence and impact of social circumstances and social systems on client systems` functioning;

Demonstrate a holistic approach to client systems` social functioning;

Ensure assessments result in, as far as is reasonable and possible, mutually agreed upon goals;

Record assessment processes and conclusions clearly, systematically and accurately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Show how intervention plans take into account social systems impacting on client systems' functioning;

Base intervention plans on assessment and the appropriate use of strategies and techniques to achieve identified goals;

Base intervention strategies, models and techniques are based on comprehensive assessment of client systems;

Aim intervention strategies and techniques purposefully at the achievement of identified goals;

Ensure interventions reflect the appropriate application of a range of skills (Range of skills includes, for example communication, problem-solving, networking, negotiation, mediation, advocacy and interviewing skills);

Implement interventions in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions;

Ensure interventions include the appropriate use of social work tools and data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Identify and utilise resources appropriately to client systems` needs, strengths and goals;

Make referrals to appropriate resources according to agreed upon methods of referral;

Link networking with resources and organisations directly to the needs of client systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Ensure client systems` files contain all relevant reports according to agreed upon time frames, standards and procedures;

Ensure reports contain accurate details of all intervention activities, processes and outcomes according to agreed upon or prescribed formats;

Channel reports as per prescribed procedures, when necessary.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Describe the outcomes of the evaluations clearly of the intervention strategies, techniques and processes utilised in relation to the stated goals and client systems` strengths and needs;

Use evaluations purposefully as the basis for planning, termination and implementation of on-going services;

Demonstrate a capacity for self-awareness and reflection.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Wherever feasible, mutually agree to termination of services by the relevant parties and occurs in accordance with social work principles;

Prepare client systems for termination of services is timeous and realistic;

Base termination, as far as is reasonable and possible, on the achievement of goals and the client systems` ability to function independently;

Complete all administrative aspects of termination in accordance with professional requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Ensure contracts contain, as far as is reasonable and possible, mutually agreed upon principles, expectations, goals and procedures;

Use contracts to guide practice with clients;

Ensure contracts contain an exposition of possible results/consequences of breaching the mutually agreed upon principles, expectations, goals and procedures for both the practitioner and the client system.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Ensure assessments, intervention plans, strategies, techniques, and outcomes analyses reflect sensitivity for diversity and work with diverse client systems;

Demonstrate awareness of different viewpoints and values, and the ability to appreciate these in relation to one`s own views and values;

Ensure assessments explicitly include analyses of possible elements of diversity that may impact on the professional relationship;

Demonstrate interaction and teamwork within the practice context reflect understanding and acceptance of diversity;

Ensure referrals are appropriate to and in accordance with the unique needs of client systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

Ensure practice demonstrates awareness of, and ability to implement social work values and ethical principles;

Appraise the practical implications of ethical principles and values for social work practice critically;

Critique the provisions in the Code of Ethics of the South African Council for Social Service Professions in relation to its potential limitations and benefits;

Recognise the potential impact of personal life experiences and personal values on social work practice clearly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:

Ensure research reports reflect knowledge of, and skills in, social work research;

Ensure research reports display a critical appreciation of the link between knowledge construction, research and social work practice;

Ensure research proposals reflect a well-formulated plan for the research;

Identify and consider research ethics clearly in the design and implementation of research activity;

Ensure descriptions reflect knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms; research designs; sampling procedures; and methods of data collection and data analysis;

Ensure interpretations of data and the recommendations are consistent with data analyses and study findings;

Ensure practice demonstrates the application of social science theory and research;

Execute research processes in accordance with accepted research protocol.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:

Ensure descriptions clearly indicate the purpose and value of the team approach in social work services;

Ensure descriptions clearly and appropriately distinguish between the individual roles and functions of the social work team members (social worker, student social worker, social auxiliary worker and volunteer) in social service delivery;

Ensure the definitions of social auxiliary work and social work highlight the differences between the two and their relationship with each other;

Understand social auxiliary work clearly as providing a supportive and complementary service to social work, focusing particularly on prevention, developmental services and social care;

Motivate the critical role played by social auxiliary work within the social welfare context substantially;

Ensure practice clearly reflects a critical understanding of the contribution made and valuable role played by volunteers in social service delivery;

Identify and work with sectors relevant to the identified social problem or issue.

Identify the roles and functions of team members in a given context, relevant to the learner`s field placement clearly;

Ensure practice reflects the ethics of teamwork.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13:

Ensure selected techniques, methods and means of awareness-raising are appropriate to the specific social issue, the social context and the level at which such awareness-raising needs to take place;

Describe the specific social issue (e.g. homosexuality, gender discrimination, HIV/AIDS, disability) that must be targeted as an area of intervention clearly;

Ensure the social and cultural context against which the intervention takes place is clearly elucidated;

Engage individuals, families, groups and/or communities in critical and reflective discussion regarding the impact of oppressive forces in their lives;

Assist individuals, families, groups and/or communities to explore alternative identities in order to enhance self-esteem;

Engage people as change agents, advocates and/or lobbyists by building on their strengths and resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 14:

Ensure analyses clearly elucidate how individual, family, group and community identities are formed in relation to socio-structural forces of oppression and/or exclusion;

Ensure analyses provide clear indications of how social differentiation and social stratification pave the way for prejudice, ethno-centralism and discrimination;

Ensure descriptions clearly elucidate the relationship between social differentiation and social stratification (in respect of factors such as race, class, culture, ethnicity, gender, differential abilities and sexual orientation) and access to power, position, privilege, income, status and resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 15:

Ensure analyses reflect a clear understanding of the key elements, functions and principles of social welfare and social work;

Ensure descriptions clearly distinguish between the similarities and differences between social welfare and social work;

Describe social welfare and social work clearly in terms of the key stages in their historical development against the background of socio-economic and political influences;

Examine the various models of social welfare critically in terms of their impact on social service delivery;

Ensure descriptions contain a clear understanding of the historical and current trends in social welfare and social work on individuals, families, groups and communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 16:

Outline the core characteristics and qualities of a profession with reference to the social work profession;

Articulate the defining characteristics of social work, as a profession clearly;

Evaluate the relationship between social work and other social service professions critically in terms of roles, responsibilities and functions;

Appraise the influence of the language and intent of policy documents on the image and status of social work in South Africa critically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 17:

Describe the provisions of the Bill of Rights clearly;

Extrapolate the basic values and principles underlying the Bill of Rights clearly;

Evaluate the relationship between the values and principles of the Bill of Rights and those of the social work profession critically;

Identify the social worker`s role and functions in protecting and promoting human rights in practical terms;

Identify the relevant resources, available to the social worker for the protection of human rights clearly (Resources include the Public Protector, the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities and the Commission for Gender Equality);

Develop an appropriate plan/strategy to address the infringement of human rights.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 18:

Outline the respective structure, roles and functions of each sphere of government and their inter-relationships clearly;

Identify the roles and functions of the three spheres of government in the provision of social welfare services, and in the development of social welfare policy and legislation, clearly;

Understand the descriptions of relevant sections of legislation and charters and include their impact on social welfare policy and social work practice;

Ensure the descriptions of the South African judicial system include the structure, roles and powers of the various courts as well as those of social workers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 19:

Describe the nature and extent of social issue/s clearly;

Ensure the analyses provide a clear explanation of how social issue/s impact on individuals, families, groups and communities;

Identify and evaluate key strengths and weaknesses of current social policies and legislation concerning the social issue/s in relation to social work`s values and principles;

Identify and describe limitations of the social policy/policies that negatively impact on social service delivery and beneficiaries clearly;

Motivate and justify proposals for amendments of a social policy are for the purpose of improving social services to beneficiaries.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 20:

Ensure descriptions reflect the steps and phases involved in the process of social policy and legislation development;

Identify role players involved in formulating social policy and legislation at national and provincial levels in terms of the functions that they perform;

Identify the means by which individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities can influence social policy and legislation clearly;

Develop an appropriate plan/strategy to influence social policy and /or legislation in respect of at least one social issue.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 21:

Articulate the roles and responsibilities of the supervisee and the supervisor clearly;

Describe the transition from the role of supervisee to the role of supervisor clearly;

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different models (including conventional one-to-one supervision, group supervision, peer supervision, and the use of case-conferences and staff development programmes as supervisory contexts) of supervision clearly;

Identify the differences and similarities between supervision and consultation clearly;

Describe the role and responsibilities of the consultant clearly;

Articulate the ethical implications of supervision and consultation clearly;

Ensure practice reflects the ability to utilise supervision effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 22:

Articulate the qualities, principles and characteristics of management and administration clearly;

Describe the skills, roles and duties of a social work manager and administrator clearly;

Describe and critique the types and theoretical underpinnings of modern management systems described;

Ensure descriptions reflect an understanding of management and administration functions and tasks;

Explain meeting procedures and the roles of office bearers clearly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 23:

Ensure plans reflect explicit and feasible aims and objectives consistent with an identified problem;

Ensure plans elucidate anticipated outcomes within designated time frames;

Ensure plans specifically contain measures for the sustainability of the programme/project;

Ensure plans reflect a clear and realistic budget.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 24:

Identify the impact of prevailing socio-political ideology and funding policies on organisational functioning clearly;

Describe the challenges facing social service agencies in relation to technological advances and diminishing social service expenditure clearly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 25:

Describe policies and legislation in respect of areas such as criminal justice, mental health and child and family care clearly;

Describe the roles and functions of the social worker in relation to the different courts and court procedures clearly;

Ensure practice reflects ability to work in accordance with statutory and legal requirements and to carry out orders of the court.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 26:

Ensure descriptions reflect knowledge of the different types of social security benefits available to people in South Africa;

Assess descriptions reflecting knowledge of how social security benefits;

Describe the relationship between social security benefits and poverty alleviation clearly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 27:

Describe the relationship between the purpose, functions and principles of social work and those of social development;

Ensure descriptions reflect a clear understanding of the relationship between economic and social;

Ensure descriptions reflect a clear understanding of the importance of local economic development through income generation and job creation strategies;

Identify clear strategies for human and social capital formation within the social development paradigm;

Describe clearly the links between micro and macro development issues.

Integrated Assessment:
The learners will undertake one test, one assignment, one project management portfolio and one research project for formative assessment per semester. Test mark and assignment are added up and semester mark will be averaged.

Summative Assessment:
Learners will be expected to write final examinations for summative assessment per module.

Assessment of experiential learning:
First year learners will be expected to conduct observation field trips and submit a portfolio of evidence as part of assessment. Second year learners will be expected to do indigenised case work and group work practice and have to submit a portfolio of evidence as part of assessment. Third year learners will be expected to conduct community development and submit a portfolio of evidence after completion as part of assessment. Students also do management and administration of community projects and entrepreneurship. Fourth year learners will be expected to go for a six-month fieldwork placement and submit a half-term report and a final report that is evaluated as part of assessment.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Qualifications in Child and Youth Care, Probation Work and Community Development.

Qualifications in Gender Studies, Psychology, Criminology and Sociology.

Vertical Articulation:

Master qualifications in Social Work, like Clinical Social Work, Community Development, NQF Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

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NOTES

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LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.

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PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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