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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Community Service 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96416  Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Community Service 
ORIGINATOR
Damelin 
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 First Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2030-06-30  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
110784  Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Community Service  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification is intended to equip learners with the necessary skills and expertise needed in society in order to enable them to provide a valuable contribution to society through the integrated use and application of social science-based theory and practice. On completion of this qualification, learners will be able to advance their learning in other broader aspects within the social sciences discipline from a well-informed position as they will have the understanding of structures, operations, and legislative framework specific to the broader social and community support services environment.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Community Services environment from a South African perspective.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories underpinning the Individual, Community and Social Services environment and dynamics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative framework regulating the community services environment in terms of its implications and impact on community service delivery.
  • Apply the principles of research in order to investigate Community Service issues.
  • Apply appropriate communication skills in an academic and community service context.
  • Apply principles of social science and practice in a selected community service specialisation area.

    Rationale:
    The Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences (Community Services) is designed to provide learners with relevant knowledge, skills and competencies required in order to address inherited social inequalities, family-related, and individual challenges in communities and also the need to work towards effective community that focuses on social service provision in support of various initiatives aimed at social transformation. In order to meet social transformation challenges within the communities at grass-roots level, it is important to educate individuals so that they understand the importance of social sciences in support of services earmarked for social transformation.

    This qualification provides a foundation in the field of applied social sciences and enables professional development for community service provision in response to the broader community service needs within a South African context. This qualification also provides learners with specific skills and competences in order to prepare them to serve in the social and community service environments.

    After completion of this qualification, learners will be able to specialise in the following fields:
  • Community Development.
  • Community Service Administration and Management.
  • Palliative care.

    Possible areas of employment include:
  • Social welfare services support.
  • Social auxiliary services.
  • Children and Youth Care support.
  • Care giver services.
  • Community service work by means of involvement in NGO structures.
  • Community based project work supporting the provision of services to the elderly, terminally ill and the frail.
  • Community development and related project work.
  • Social services administration for example in organisations such as SASSA.

    This qualification has been developed in accordance and with consideration of the government's programme initiatives, such as, the Local Economic Development (LED), Extended Public Works Programmes (EPWP) and Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning and the Qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal courses, provided they can demonstrate competence in the Exit Level Outcomes qualification.

    Learners submitting applications for RPL will be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment, and may be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:
  • A National Senior Certificate granting access to Degree studies.
    Or
  • A Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Diploma.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in a cognate discipline. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 and elective modules at NQF Levels 6 and 7, totalling 361 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5, 96 Credits:
  • Communication 1 (Principles of effective Communication), 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Sociology (Sociological Theory and Practice), 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Psychology, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Social Research, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Community Development, 12 Credits.
  • Sociology of families, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Social Policies and Regulatory framework, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Project Management, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6; 113 Credits:
  • Communication 2 (Interpersonal Communication, Facilitation/guidance), 12 Credits.
  • Social analysis (Understanding Societies), 12 Credits.
  • Development Psychology, 15 Credits.
  • Applied Social Research (Identification of Community Services needs), 12 Credits.
  • Ethics, Professionalism, and Reflective Practice, 10 Credits.
  • Human Rights and Social Advocacy, 10 Credits.
  • Public Policy Analysis, 15 Credits.
  • Project Administration and Management, 15 Credits.
  • Work Directed Project (Community Services), 12 Credits.

    Electives at NQF Level 6, 31 Credits:
    Learner is required to select one area of specialisation from Palliative Care or Community Service Administration and Management or Community Development.
    Palliative Care:
  • Primary health care principles and practice 1, 15 Credits.
  • The Palliative care and services provision environment (Legislative, service structures, role limitations), 8 Credits.
  • Provision of Primary health care family support in Home based care support environments, 8 Credits.
    Or
    Community Service Administration and Management:
  • Human Resources Management, 15 Credits.
  • Business Management and Administration, 16 Credits.
    Or
    Community Development:
  • Community Development Practices and models, 15 Credits.
  • Sustainable Development (Economic, Social Environmental), 16 Credits.
  • Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7; 76 Credits.
  • Communication 3 (Communication for sustainable development), 12 Credits.
  • Applied Environmental Science (Sustainable Development), 12 Credits.
  • Social Psychology, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Social Research Methods, 12 Credits.
  • Managing the needs of diverse client groups, 8 Credits.
  • Mediation and conflict management, 8 Credits.
  • Work Directed Project (Community Services), 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 7, 45 Credits:
    Learners will continue with the specialisation chosen.
    Palliative Care:
  • Primary health care principles and practice 2, 15 Credits.
  • HIV/Aids and terminal illness support and care, 15 Credits.
  • Provision of Home based hospice and palliative care for different populations (Children, The Aged, Frail), 15 Credits.

    Community Service Administration and Management:
  • Financial management for non-financial managers, 15 Credits.
  • Information Management and Administration, 15 Credits.
  • Business Governance, 15 Credits.
    Community Development:
  • Financial management for non-financial managers, 15 Credits.
  • Organisational Management, 15 Credits.
  • Monitoring and evaluating community development projects, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Community Services environment from a South African perspective.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories underpinning the individual, community and social services environment and dynamics.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative framework regulating the community services environment in terms of its implications and impact on community service delivery.
    4. Apply the principles of research in order to investigate a community service issue.
    5. Apply appropriate communication skills in an academic and community service context.
    6. Apply principles of social science and practice in a selected community service specialisation area. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A historical overview of sociological and community development and service requirements are provided by means of the investigation of societal development issues from a South African perspective.
  • The social and community services environment is explained in terms of role-players, organisations, networks and inter-related service provision relationships.
  • Social and community development issues and service requirements are explained in terms of its diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The linkages between society, communities and families are investigated and described by means of the interrogation of sociological and psychological theory and principles.
  • Sociological theory and practice are explained in terms of its application to social analysis, family studies and the needs of diverse client groups.
  • Development and social psychology theories and principles are explained in terms of its application to service provision in support of addressing of the needs of diverse client groups.
  • Community development principles are evaluated in terms of their use and application in the community service environment.
  • Project management, administration and management principles are used and applied in support of the scoping of a work directed project for community service provision.
  • Specific service areas are investigated in terms of the application of social science principles and theories.
  • Principles of ethical and professional conduct are explained in terms of societal, community and stakeholder responsibilities and accountability.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Relevant legislation and policy framework are explained for purposes of application and legislative compliance in terms of community service structures and service delivery.
  • The impact and repercussions for non-compliance on legislative requirements in terms of social and community service delivery are identified and explained.
  • Specific policies and regulatory requirements are identified and evaluated in terms of environmental impact, ethical and professional conduct as well as human rights and social advocacy that are relevant to social and community service provision.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Information regarding individual, group, community and social phenomena is gathered, interpreted and analysed.
  • Selected sociological and community service issues are investigated so as to demonstrate how developmental, environmental, socioeconomic, and gender factors impact on community service projects, programmes or initiatives.
  • Applied social research principles and methods are utilised in order to investigate and report on community service needs and requirements in relation to a specific service specialisation area.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Effective written and verbal communication is used in support of academic requirements and the presenting of coherent arguments.
  • The use of effective communication is demonstrated by means of its application in support of interpersonal communication as well as approaches to needs identification, provision of advice and support and the effective handling of mediation and conflict management.
  • The use and application of effective communication skills is demonstrated in terms of the addressing of work related project investigation and evaluation in a selected area of service provision.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The mastery of general principles and theories underpinning service delivery is demonstrated in a selected specialisation area.
  • Knowledge and understanding of specific inter-disciplinary knowledge, skills and competencies are demonstrated in relation to a selected service specialisation area.
  • Relevant factors required for service provision for a diverse client base are investigated and evaluated in terms of a selected community service specialisation area.
  • Relevant inter-disciplinary principles and theory are contextualised in order to investigate and evaluate a work related project in a selected service specialisation area.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and must ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. For this purpose, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification.

    A variety of methods are used in assessment and tools and activities are appropriate to the context in which the learner is working.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment will consist of chapter quizzes (multiple choice), assignments and tests.

    Summative:
    Summative assessment will consist of written examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Jansen Newman Institute:
    The Jansen Newman Institute in Australia offers the Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Community Services). This qualification integrates areas of social work, counselling, applied psychology and sociology and makes use of Work Integrated Learning.

    The following specific areas of similarity in approach have been identified:
  • Understanding Societies: An Introduction to Social analysis: Principles of Sociology (Sociological Theory and Practice).
  • Introduction to Social Theories: Sociological Theory and Practice: Principles of Sociology (Sociological Theory and Practice).
  • Introduction to Social Research Methods: Principles of Social Research.
  • Developing Social Policy: Introduction to Social Policies and Regulatory framework, Public Policy Analysis.
  • Understanding Human Behaviour across the Lifespan: an Introduction to Psychology: Development Psychology.
  • Theories of Counselling: Introduction to Psychology.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Communication 1 (Principles of effective Communication), Communication 2 (Interpersonal Communication, Facilitation/guidance), Communication 3 (Communication for sustainable development).
  • Health and Well-Being: Primary health care principles and practice 1 (Specialisation area).
  • Mediation and Conflict Management: Mediation and conflict management.
  • Advanced Social Research Methods: Applied Social Research (Identification of Community Services needs), Advanced Social Research Methods.
  • Community Services and Welfare: Social Psychology.
  • Managing the Needs of Diverse Client Groups: Managing the needs of diverse client groups.
  • Ethics, Professionalism, and Reflective Practice: Ethics, Professionalism and Reflective Practice.
  • Action Based Research Project: Work Directed Project (Community Services).
  • Case Management and Program Development: Principles of Project Management, Project Administration and Management.
  • Community Development: Principles of Community Development.
  • Human Rights and Social Advocacy: Human Rights and Social Advocacy.
  • Fieldwork for Community Service Workers 1 and 2 (400 Notional Hours): Work Directed Project (Community Services).

    Seattle Central Community College:
    The Seattle Central Community College in the United States of America offers a Bachelor of Applied Behavioural Science. This qualification demonstrates the effective integration of the areas of social work, counselling and applied psychology including psychological counselling. This qualification has been also designed to be applied in the community service environment.

    Comparison between the two qualifications indicates the following areas of similarity in approach:
  • Communication: Communication 1 (Principles of effective Communication), and Communication 3 (Communication for sustainable development).
  • General Psychology: Introduction to Psychology.
  • Introduction to Sociology: Principles of Sociology (Sociological Theory and Practice) and Social analysis (Understanding Societies).
  • Introduction to Human Services.
  • Human Service Practice.
  • Survey of institutions.
  • Principles of interviewing and counselling: Communication 2 (Interpersonal Communication, Facilitation/guidance).
  • Community Development: Principles of Community Development.
  • Client and community advocacy: Human Rights and Social Advocacy.
  • HIV/AIDS Counselling.
  • Professionalism and Ethical Practice: Ethics, Professionalism and Reflective Practice.
  • Applied Social Psychology: Social Psychology.
  • Group Dynamics and Counselling: Mediation and conflict management.
  • Crisis Intervention.
  • Applied Environmental Science: Applied environmental science (Sustainable development).
  • Quantitative Principles in Research and Assessment: Principles of Social Research and Applied Social Research (Identification of Community Services needs) as well as Advanced Social Research Methods.
  • Public Policy Analysis: Introduction to Social Policies and Regulatory framework, Public Policy Analysis.
  • Cross-Cultural Competency in Human Services: Managing the needs of diverse client groups.
  • Sociology of Families: Sociology of families.
  • Field Placement: Social and Human Services (100 notional hours): Work Directed Project (Community Services).
  • Advanced Field Placement (200 Notional Hours): Work Directed Project (Community Services).

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with both the Bachelor of Applied Social Sciences (Community Service) offered by the Jansen Newman Institute in Australia and the Bachelor of Applied Behavioural Science offered by the Seattle Central Community College in the United States of America. They all focus on social issues such as values and the importance of communication within families and the community at large. These qualifications highlight the importance of counselling as one of the integral components relevant to social related matters. Learners are also required to complete research. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at NQF Level 7.

    Vertical:
  • Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Social Sciences in Policy and Development Studies at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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. Damelin 
    2. Damelin - Boksburg 
    3. Damelin - Braamfontein 
    4. Damelin - Mowbray 
    5. Damelin - Port Elizabeth 
    6. Damelin - Randburg 


    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.