SAQA 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: 

Occupational Certificate: Parole Board Member (Offender Placement and Release Practitioner) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98051  Occupational Certificate: Parole Board Member (Offender Placement and Release Practitioner) 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-SASSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  280  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

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 prepare a learner to operate as an Offender Placement and Release Practitioner.

An Offender Placement and Release Practitioner oversees, manages and monitors the placement of offenders on correctional supervision/parole and monitors probationers' / parolees' reintegration within the community.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Manage offender rehabilitation processes.
  • Oversee Parole administration and ensure effective placement of offenders under the system of Community Corrections.
  • Manage the reintegration of parolees and probationers back into society.

    Rationale:
    The South African Correctional Environment has undergone major changes since the inception of democracy. These changes require officials to have an in-depth knowledge of applicable laws/ legislation and know how these are applied in order to avoid litigation, liability, negligence, infringements of human rights and transgression of the Correctional Services Act.

    This qualification is aimed at officials who are currently working as Case Management Committee officials, Parole Board members and Community Corrections officials and those who are currently employed in the correctional environment and aspire to pursue a career in any of the specified areas.

    This qualification provides opportunities for career growth, as learners who successfully completed it can pursue management positions within the management units within which they operate.
    Learners who have acquired knowledge and skills in areas of operation will have their competencies recognised through the process of RPL.

    The qualification will benefit learners who successfully completed training aligned to the qualification and their chances of employment will increase. Furthermore, qualified learners will benefit the Correctional Environment and the country by ensuring effective management of the reintegration system. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Occupational Certificate: Correctional Official.
    Or
  • NQF Level 4 with mathematical literacy and a minimum of three years relevant experience within the Correctional Industry. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 263509001-KM-01, Legislative Mandate, at NQF Level 06, Credits 10.
  • 263509001-KM-02, Historical background, at NQF Level 05, Credits 10.
  • 263509001-KM-03, Management of Reintegration System, at NQF Level 06, Credits 20.
    Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 40.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 263509001-PM-01, Manage administrative process and the decision making function, at NQF Level 06, Credits 20.
  • 263509001-PM-02, Evaluate facts presented, at NQF Level 06, Credits 10.
  • 263509001-PM-03, Monitor the reintegration of parolees and probationers into communities, at NQF Level 06, Credits 10.
  • 263509001-PM-04, Manage administrative processes, at NQF Level 06, Credits 20.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 60.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 263509001-WM-01, Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB), at NQF Level 06, Credits 60.
  • 263509001-WM-02, Community Corrections functions, at NQF Level 06, Credits 60.
  • 263509001-WM-03, Case Management Committee functions, at NQF Level 06, Credits 60.
    Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 180. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Manage offender rehabilitation processes.
    2. Oversee Parole administration and ensure effective placement of offenders under the system of Community Corrections.
    3. Manage reintegration of parolees and probationers back into the society. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • An Offenders' Correctional Sentence Plan is developed.
  • The implementation of a rehabilitation programme is monitored.
  • Considerations in favour or against placement of an offender to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board are recommended.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Documentation presented by the Case Management Committee is verified.
  • The offender is considered for possible placement in accordance with policy and the presented documents.
  • Explanation is given on the principles to be applied when considering a case for revocation.
  • Considerations in favour or against placement of an offender to the court and the Minister are recommended.
  • Application of special remission of sentences is considered.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Parolees and probationers are monitored and supervised.
  • An assessment of the reintegration progress of a parolee or probationer is conducted.
  • Referral of violators back to court or Correctional Supervision and Parole Board are made.
  • The process of overseeing the release of parolees and probationers upon Sentence Expiry Date (SED) is explained.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated formative assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated summative assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external assessment will be conducted through the evaluation of three successfully completed assignments evaluated by registered assessors; and written examinations supervised by invigilators or assessors taking place at accredited assessment centres in a day. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Australia and New Zealand offer a qualification called Parole or Probation officer 411714 and the purpose of the Parole or Probation officer is to supervise or monitor the offenders which compares with the South African Offender release and placement practitioner who oversees, manages and monitors the release of offenders on correctional supervision /parole and monitors probationers / parolees reintegration within community.
    Similar Tasks offered by Australian qualification includes:
  • Assessing clients' needs and planning, developing and implementing educational, training and support programs.
  • Interviewing clients and assessing the nature and extent of difficulties.
  • Monitoring and reporting on the progress of clients.
  • Referring clients to agencies that can provide additional help.
  • Assessing community need and resources for health, welfare, housing, employment, training and other facilities and services.
  • Liaising with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies and private businesses about community issues and promoting awareness of community resources and services.
  • Supporting families and providing education and care for children and disabled persons in adult service units, group housing and government institutions.
  • Supervising offenders on probation and parole.
  • Assisting young people to solve social, emotional and financial problems.
  • Preparing submissions for funding and resources, and reports to government bodies and other agencies.

    The entry requirement for this occupation is the qualifications and experience (AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2). At least 3 years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

    The entry requirements for the occupational qualification in Australia and New Zealand (ANZSCO) Skill Level are similar to the South African occupational qualification. They both require at least a minimum of three years of relevant experience within the industry. In Australia: they have an AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2). In New Zealand they also have NZ Register Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2).

    United Kingdom offers an Honours Degree in Community Justice plus the Vocational Qualification Diploma in Probation Practice Level 5 for probation officer. The Honours Degree will be compiled of both Vocational and Academic credits and will be achieved whilst employed as a Probation Services Officer. Vocational Qualification, Level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice is achieved in 12 months. The purpose of these qualifications is to supervise offenders in the community on community sentences (probation/community service orders), provide information and reports to courts, and supervise prisoners released on parole and licences, who manages and monitors the release of offenders on correctional supervision/parole and monitors probationers/parolees reintegration within community.

    The purpose of this qualification indicates similarities to the South African qualification as the Probation officer supervises and helps rehabilitate offenders who have been released on probation. The qualification is offered in two levels, Level 3 Diploma and Level 5 Diploma. To obtain this qualification, the learner needs to be working for a Probation Trust.

    The following are compulsory units for the level 3 Diploma in Probation Practice with 37 Credits:
  • Equality and diversity.
  • Assess the risk of harm and the need for intervention.
  • Communicate effectively with people maintaining the security of information.
  • Units that might be chosen at Level 3 include:
    > Help individuals address their offending behaviour.
    > Support individuals who are substance users.
    > Provide initial support to victims and witnesses.
    > Contribute to developing awareness and community action in relation to crime.

    The following are compulsory units for the Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice with 46 units.
  • Communicate effectively with people.
  • Develop risk management plans that address the threat of serious harm posed by individuals.
  • Develop and sustain effective working with staff from other agencies.
  • Assess individuals' offending behaviour and prepare reports.
  • Plan, supervise, enforce and review sentences in the community.
  • Equality and diversity.
  • Units that might be chosen at Level 5 include:
    > Recognise indications of substance misuse and refer individuals to specialists
    > Manage abusive and aggressive behaviour
    > Represent the agency in courts and at formal hearings.

    Other tasks similar to South African occupation offered in United Kingdom are below for a probation Officer.
  • Prepare reports to advice courts.
  • Assess risk.
  • Supervise offenders.
  • Deliver interventions.
  • Signposting to support and help.
  • Enforcement, victim liaison and multi-agency work.

    Similarities:
    It was found that South African qualification is on par with international standards and that the purpose of the qualification with regards to the three countries used for the study corresponds with the one offered in South Africa.

    Differences:
    Differences have been found to be in the duration of the learning programme, entry requirements, NQF Levels of the qualification and unit standards and some of the task, for example, refer clients to agencies that can provide additional help for example etc.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares very well with the cognate qualifications listed in this comparability exercise in terms of purpose and focus. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation:
  • National Diploma in Correctional Services Management, NQF Level 6 (ID 62378).

    Vertical articulation:
  • Bachelor of Technology in Correctional Services Management, NQF Level 7 (ID 62314). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for the external summative assessment learners must have a copy of a completed and signed Statement of Work Experience as well as proof of successful completion of the knowledge and practical skill modules reflected in the curriculum or alternative programmes where applicable. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.