All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
Further Education and Training Certificate: Corrections Services |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
64389 | Further Education and Training Certificate: Corrections Services | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Task Team - Corrections Science | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
SAS SETA - Safety and Security SETA | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Further Ed and Training Cert | Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security | Safety in Society | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 130 | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | Regular-Unit Stds Based |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered" |
SAQA 06120/18 | 2018-07-01 | 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 replaces: |
Qual ID | Qualification Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Min Credits | Replacement Status |
24197 | National Certificate: Corrections Science | Level 4 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | 120 | Complete |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
Corrections Officials are responsible for the care, custody and control of individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or have been convicted of a crime and sentenced, both inside and outside the Corrections Centre. They are also responsible for the safety and security of the Corrections Centre. The competencies captured in this Qualification will ensure that the Corrections Officials are able to fulfil these responsibilities by providing them with skills to apply offender rehabilitation and rights, supervising offenders/inmates, use corrections equipment such as restraints, conduct searches and respond tactically to incidents while applying humane means. This qualification will provide the qualifying learners with the required knowledge and skills to perform those duties in a South African Corrections Centre in compliance with the Correctional Services Act. The qualifying learner will be capable of: Rationale: The focus of the Correctional Services service has moved from punitive action to offender rehabilitation and humane treatment, and is characterised by growth in Community Corrections and the implementation of unit management principles in Corrections Centres. With this in mind this Qualification meets the needs of the Correctional Services Sector by providing training standards against which entry level Correctional Officials can be trained. This Qualification meets the needs of society by providing competent Corrections Officials who by securely supervising the day-to-day activities of offenders, contribute to a safe society for the citizens of South Africa. This Qualification has been purpose-built for the Safety in Society sub-field, the Corrections Service Sector and Corrections Officials in their capacity as wardens. Further this Qualification contributes to an integrated National Qualifications Framework, provides for access, mobility and progression within the Correctional Services career path, enhances the quality of training within the Corrections Service, allows for the redress of the past and contributes to the development of the learner as a Correctional Officials within the Correctional Services. Learners typically completing this Qualification would be young adult school/university leavers who would attend the learning program based on this Qualification at one of the various training providers situated throughout the country. This qualification is the first in the progressive development of Corrections Officials in Correctional Services. This Qualification will allow learners access to the National Diploma in Corrections Science, NQF Level 5 and further provider based Qualifications at NQF Level 6 and 7. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
Recognition of Prior Learning: This Qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible, if the learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this Qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of an Integrated Assessment as mentioned in the previous paragraph. This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow: All recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education, Training, Quality, and Assurance Body and is conducted by a registered workplace assessor. Because the standards are only core and fundamental, these standards may have been acquired in a range of economic sectors and these will be recognizes as appropriate. Access to the Qualification: There is an open access to this qualification for learners: |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
The Qualification consists of a Fundamental, a Core and an Elective Component.
To be awarded the Qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 130 credits as detailed below. Fundamental Component: The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards in: It is compulsory therefore for learners to do Communication in two different South African languages, one at NQF Level 4 and the other at NQF Level 3. All Unit Standards in the Fundamental Component are compulsory. Core Component: The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 70 credits all of which are compulsory. Elective Component: The Elective Component consists of individual unit standards from Unit Standards must choose totalling a minimum of 4 credits. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Perform correctional related services in order to contribute to a secure environment for the rehabilitation of offenders.
2. Facilitate corrections, care and developmental services for rehabilitation of offenders/inmates. 3. Comply with governance requirements in the provision of security and corrections services for the rehabilitation of offenders/inmates. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: This qualification promotes, in particular, the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when: Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during: Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when: Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when: Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain: Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when: Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when: |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
1.1 Security equipment is used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and organisational procedures. 1.2 Entry and exit is controlled at a correctional centre in accordance with organisational procedures. 1.3 Guarding, custodial and escort duties are performed both internally and externally in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 1.4 Security related conflict is handled in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: 2.1 Health and wellbeing programmes for offenders are provided according to the organisational policies and procedures. 2.2 Environment and personal hygiene of inmates is monitored and maintained according to organisational standards and procedures. 2.3 Implementation of the sentence plan is facilitated and monitored according to unit management principles of offender rehabilitation. 2.4 Participation in personal developmental programmes for offenders is promoted according to organisational policies. 2.5 Recording, reporting and referrals of offenders are executed within the Community Corrections Programme requirements of the rehabilitation process. Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: 3.1 Security and corrections duties are performed in a professional and ethical manner according to the Corrections Code of Conduct. 3.2 An explanation is given of the legal framework related to the provision of correctional services. 3.3 Security and Corrections duties are performed in a humane manner according to the lawful limitation provisions. 3.4 Administrative requirements related to the provision of security and corrections services are complied with according to organisational procedures. Integrated Assessment: Because assessment practices must be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the Qualification. Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably linked. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the unit standards should be integrated. Assessment of the communication, language, literacy and numeracy should be conducted in conjunction with other aspects and should use authentic Correctional Services sector contexts wherever possible. A variety of methods must be used in assessment and tools and activities must be appropriate to the context in which the learner is working. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies, role-plays and other similar techniques should be used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment. The term 'Integrated Assessment' implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Assessors and moderators should make use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Assessment should ensure that all Specific Outcomes, Essential Embedded Knowledge and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are assessed. The assessment of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of Specific Outcomes and Essential Embedded Knowledge. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
The approach to training and development of Corrections Officers varies across countries depending on the legislative powers of the Ministry of Justice and the prevalent socio-economic conditions. A wide spectrum of approaches are employed ranging from punitive to rehabilitative.
For the purpose of this comparison the following countries were chosen due to the fact that like South African they have a rehabilitative approach which is characterised by an emphasis on human rights: United States of America: In the United States of America due to the federal system the training of Correctional Officers vary from state to state and facility to facility. Training may be provided by external agencies but more than often is provided at the facility itself. Generally it was found that most providers or facilities programmes are based on the following areas of learning: Findings: The depth of theoretical and practical training described in the FETC: Corrections Services exceeds the offerings in the USA. The focus here is only on the core competencies for entry level corrections officers who are closely supervised while the FETC: Corrections Services is designed to develop the whole individual to function independently in the corrections environment. In terms of the areas of learning, there are many similarities: United Kingdom: Prison Officers of the United Kingdom are required to complete an eight week introductory training course to begin a career as a prison officer called Prison Officer Entry Level Training. On graduation from Prison Officer Entry Level Training all wardens are required to successfully complete the Level 3 NVQ in Custodial Care, the aim of which is to provide an occupationally-related qualification for people employed in custodial environments with direct contact with prisoners. This qualification allows candidates to develop the competence, knowledge and understanding to perform their jobs effectively, and to enhance their career prospects. Candidates must complete the five mandatory units in Group 1, plus five optional units from Group 2 (total ten units). The following 5 mandatory units relate, at least in part, compare closely with Core Component Unit Standards in the FETC: Corrections Services in terms of human rights, internal security, external security and wellness: Of the 43 available optional units, the following reflect some similarities with the South African unit standards: Findings: The duration, level of complexity and content of the combined Prison Officer Entry Level Training and the NVQ in Custodial Care is similar to the FETC: Corrections Services. Also, the Unit Standard "Understand the Corrections environment" at NQF Level 4 was generated with a view to providing an introduction to a new recruit, much like the formal induction that forms part of the POELT. Australia: The Victoria Department of Justice provides newly recruited Prison Officers with almost two months of pre-service training that includes time in the classroom and two weeks on-the-job in one of Corrections Victoria's prisons. This is followed by a period of close supervision combined with further self-paced, competency-based learning and on-the-job training to enable new officers to build on their skills in a graduated way. Typically, as new officers acquire more complex skills and training, they are given more challenging work roles. A wide variety of topics are covered in the training. These include: Findings: While many of the learning areas comprising this Certificate III in Correctional Practice are similar to the units of learning in the FETC: Corrections Services. However, the FETC: Corrections Services does not cover crime scene preservation, hostage awareness, conflict management, defensive tactics and tactical options. Canada: The Holland College, Prince Edward Island, Canada offers a Certificate for 36 weeks, including 9 weeks on-the-job training to train newly recruited Correctional Officers. The Correctional Officer program instils the knowledge and skills needed for a career in federal and provincial correctional services. Findings: The qualification comprises the following areas of competency that are similar to competencies captured in the FETC: Corrections Services: New Zealand: New Zealand has registered on the NZQF a National Certificate in Offender Management, Level 3. The purpose of the qualification indicates this similarity; "for those working or seeking to work as a corrections officer, whose role it is to provide safe, secure and humane containment of prisoners whilst working towards reducing re-offending." Further the Qualification states that the "award of the certificate signifies competence at the first level of Offender Management". The unit standards related to the professional skills includes: Findings: There very close similarities between the New Zealand qualification and FETC: Corrections Services. The similarities between the unit standards of both qualifications are not apparent from the titles, but the similarities become apparent when the specific outcomes and the assessment criteria of the FETC: Corrections Services' unit standards are analysed. Conclusion: It has been found that the FETC: Corrections Services compares very favourably with established world Correctional Services and that training content and approaches are very similar, if not identical. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This Qualification lends itself to both vertical and horizontal articulation possibilities.
Horizontal articulation is possible with the following Qualifications: Vertical articulation is possible with the following qualifications: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
For an applicant to register as an assessor, the applicant needs:
|
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. |
NOTES |
This qualification replaces qualification 24197, "National Certificate: Corrections Science", Level 4, 120 credits. |
UNIT STANDARDS: |
ID | UNIT STANDARD TITLE | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS | |
Core | 260138 | Utilise security equipment in corrections | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 8 |
Core | 260136 | Conduct external security duties in corrections | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Core | 260135 | Conduct internal security duties in corrections | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 7 |
Core | 260133 | Demonstrate an understanding of the application of the offender rehabilitation path | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 8 |
Core | 260129 | Demonstrate an understanding of the corrections environment | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Core | 252510 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS, other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Tuberculosis (TB) for counselling purposes | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 3 |
Core | 11505 | Identify, handle and defuse security related conflict | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 12 |
Core | 260126 | Promote human rights in corrections | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 6 |
Core | 260124 | Promote the development and wellbeing of offenders | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 8 |
Core | 11508 | Write security reports and take statements | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 10 |
Fundamental | 119472 | Accommodate audience and context needs in oral/signed communication | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119457 | Interpret and use information from texts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119467 | Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119465 | Write/present/sign texts for a range of communicative contexts | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9015 | Apply knowledge of statistics and probability to critically interrogate and effectively communicate findings on life related problems | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 6 |
Fundamental | 119462 | Engage in sustained oral/signed communication and evaluate spoken/signed texts | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Fundamental | 119469 | Read/view, analyse and respond to a variety of texts | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Fundamental | 9016 | Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Fundamental | 119471 | Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Fundamental | 7468 | Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business, national and international issues | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 6 |
Fundamental | 119459 | Write/present/sign for a wide range of contexts | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Elective | 244581 | Describe how to manage substance abuse and addiction in the workplace | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Elective | 244589 | Identify causes of stress and techniques to manage it in the workplace | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
Elective | 114012 | Provide a caring environment for youth in conflict with the law | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 6 |
Elective | 15234 | Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
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. |
NONE |
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. |
1. | Correctional Services Dept |
2. | DCS KRUGERSDORP |
3. | DCS LEEUWKOP |
4. | DCS MODDERBEE MANAGEMENT AREA |
5. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE: MTHATHA |
6. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BARBERTON |
7. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BAVIAANSPOORT TRAINING CENTRE |
8. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BETHAL TRAINING CENTRE |
9. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES BOSBOU TRAINING CENTRE |
10. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DURBAN WESTVILLE |
11. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GLENCOE |
12. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GOODWOOD MANAGEMENT AREA |
13. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GROENPUNT |
14. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES GROOTVLEI |
15. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES HELDERSTROOM MANAGEMENT AREA |
16. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES KOKSTAD |
17. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES MALMESBURY |
18. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES POTCHEFSTROOM TRAINING CENTRE |
19. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SADA |
20. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ST. ALBANS PRISON |
21. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES WATERVAL |
22. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES WORCESTER |
23. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: ROOIGROND |
24. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: UPINGTON |
25. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: DE AAR MANAGEMENT AREA |
26. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: KROONSTAD |
27. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: KROONSTAD COLLEGE |
28. | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: ZONDERWATER COLLEGE |
All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |