SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Postgraduate Certificate: Social Work

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
50370	Postgraduate Certificate: Social Work
ORIGINATOR
SGB Social Work
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Certificate	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	120	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with:

Advanced, in-depth knowledge of a specific field of social work practice and social welfare.

The ability to practically apply advanced professional skills in the chosen field.

Competencies to systematically access, critically analyse and evaluate existing knowledge in the specific field.

The ability to apply knowledge and research skills in order to create effective intervention strategies in the chosen field.

Successful completion of this qualification allows access to the Master of Social Work degree.

Rationale:

Social work embraces a spectrum of knowledge, skills and competencies within numerous fields of practice. These fields range across, inter alia, working with children, drug abusers, people with disabilities, the aged, victims of violence and are found in numerous settings that include, inter alia, courts of law, communities and private practice. Over and above the basic generic knowledge and skills that form the foundation for all social work practice, each field of practice has its own specific advanced body of knowledge, skills and competencies.

Social work practitioners are involved in addressing the many and diverse social welfare needs of South African society and practice the profession in a wide variety of work environments and focus areas within a developmental perspective. Work environments include non-governmental organisations, local authorities, provincial and national government departments, and private practice. Practitioners with the necessary competencies within specific focus areas are required in order to meet the needs.

Due to the fact that social work encompasses such a broad spectrum of fields, themes and inter-disciplinary areas, it is essential to provide practitioners with the opportunity for advanced, continuous development, upgrading and reflection, the application of research skills and knowledge in practice. Therefore, the research component of the qualification has a practice focus and also promotes practitioners' ability to identify gaps in social work practice, think independently and creatively and propose interventions within the chosen focus area.

This qualification is also designed to enable candidates to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Experience as a registered Social Worker.

Access to the qualification:

Candidates who register for this qualification must have an entry-level qualification in Social Work and be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker.

Applicants who fall outside of the above criteria, but who can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the service provider and the SACSSP, that they have an appropriate qualification and experiential or work-based learning, which are equivalent to an entry-level Social Work qualification, may be considered for admission into this social work programme.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

All the learning components of this qualification are compulsory.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

On completion of this qualification, learners are expected to demonstrate the following competencies outcomes according to their associated assessment criteria:

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and applied skills and competence in a specific focus field of social work and social welfare service delivery.
2. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of and the ability to apply social work values and the principles of human rights and social justice in the chosen focus field.
3. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of own position in relation to major debates within social work and the chosen field of social work and social welfare.
4. Demonstrate competency in the identification and critical analysis of social problems and issues in the chosen field.
5. Demonstrate advanced competency in planning and implementing possible solutions to social problems and issues in the chosen field according to theory-driven arguments, evidence-based solutions and ethical considerations.
6. Critically analyse and evaluate the outcomes of social intervention strategies, techniques and processes.
7. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and appropriate research skills to propose, create and apply effective intervention strategies in the chosen field of social work/social welfare practice.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

The exit level outcomes and the associated assessment criteria listed above are consistent with the following Critical Cross-field Outcomes listed in Section 7(3) of the NSB Regulations:

Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.

Refer to all exit level outcomes.

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.

Refer to exit level outcomes: 1, 3, 6, 7.

Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

Refer to exit level outcomes: 4, 5, 6, 7.

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

Refer to all exit level outcomes.

Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

Refer to exit level outcomes: 3 and 7.

Demonstrate cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in dealings with clients, colleagues and communities.

Refer to exit level outcomes: 2 and 7.

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

Refer to all exit level outcomes.

Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviour.

Refer to all exit level outcomes.

Lay the foundation for life-long learning and ongoing competency.

Refer to all exit level outcomes.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

On completion of this qualification, learners are expected to demonstrate the following competencies outcomes according to their associated assessment criteria.

1.

Discussions reflect a clear understanding of the context (including policy, legislation and global issues), appropriate concepts, methods, ethics and analytical processes in the chosen field.

Practice reflects appropriate application of the concepts, methods, ethics and analytical processes in the chosen field.

Practice and written work demonstrate a clear understanding of and accountability in terms of the concepts, methods, ethics and analytical processes in the chosen field.

2.

Discussions reflect the integration of social work values with human rights principles and social justice in the chosen focus field.

Practice reflects the purposeful application of social work values, human rights principles and social justice in the chosen focus field.

Descriptions demonstrate a coherent understanding of the application of social work values, human rights principles and social justice in the chosen focus field.

Analyses exhibit a critical understanding of the ethical principles guiding social work practice in the chosen field.

3.

Motivations of own position to specific debates are based on a sound integration of relevant theory, practice, research and a degree of independent, creative thinking.

Discussions demonstrate understanding of one's own position and its feasibility in relation to major debates.

Written and oral presentations clearly and cogently communicate explanations of own position.

4.

Analyses of identified problems and issues are in accordance with relevant theory-driven arguments in the chosen field.

Analyses of the problems and issues reflect a purposeful and critical application of relevant theory in the focus area.

Practice reflects a purposeful plan to seek solutions based on theory and proven methods in the chosen field.

Assessment processes and conclusions are recorded clearly, systematically and accurately.

5.

Intervention plans focus holistically on the various social systems impacting on social problems and issues in the chosen field.

Intervention plans include resources that are appropriate to client systems' needs, strengths and goals.

Justifications for possible solutions are based on sound and current research in the chosen field.

Intervention plans are based on comprehensive assessment and the appropriate use of scientifically based, theory-driven strategies and techniques to achieve identified goals.

Interventions reflect advanced application of appropriate skills, strategies and techniques in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions and ethical considerations in the chosen field.

Interventions include the advanced and appropriate use of social work tools and/or data relevant to the chosen field.

6.

Evaluations comprehensively describe outcomes of intervention strategies, techniques and processes in relation to the stated goals and in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions.

Evaluations critically analyse intervention outcomes in accordance with client systems' needs, strengths and goals.

Outcomes analysis is purposefully used as the basis for the planning, implementation and termination of on-going service delivery.

7.

Practice reflects purposeful identification and analysis of gaps in the knowledge and skills base in the chosen field.

Proposed intervention strategies are based on research data, findings and conclusions.

Intervention strategies reflect the appropriate use of research knowledge and skills.

Intervention outcomes are in line with the aim of the proposed strategy.

Integrated Assessment:

The following assessment strategies are used to ensure that exit level and critical cross-field outcomes are achieved:

Written/oral assignments and/or assessments.

Examinations and/or seminars.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares favourably to similar qualifications in the international arena. This has been verified through the South African structures affiliated to the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). The IASSW recently formulated a draft document on Global Qualifying Standards for Social Work Education and Training and this qualification, by and large, measures up to the standards contained in the global document. This was also verified with the Chairperson of the Global Qualifying Standards Committee who is a South African and who serves on the SGB for Social Work.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Qualifiers with this Social Work qualification may proceed to a Master's programme in Social Work.

Articulation possibilities exist both within the tertiary institution offering the Social Work programme, other tertiary institutions and other related fields of learning.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Internal and external moderation must be available throughout the period of learning.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors of theoretical and practical learning are required to comply with the following:

Current Registration with the SACSSP in a Social Service Profession.

At least a Master's degree in Social Work.

A minimum of 5 years appropriate experience.

External assessors must have an appropriate qualification or appropriate experience in the chosen focus area and be accredited by the relevant Quality Council and the SACSSP.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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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