PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATION

The purpose of the qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the following

  • Knowledge and understanding of the South African context within which social services function and are delivered.
  • Understanding of social development in terms of the needs, policies and the role of the social auxiliary worker.
  • Basic knowledge of human behavior, relationship systems and social issues and the ability to address social needs using appropriate social auxiliary work methods and techniques.
  • The skills to work as a team member and as a provider of support services to the social work team.

“A social auxiliary worker works under the guidance and control of the social worker and as a supporting service to a social worker to achieve the aims of social work”. This implies that social auxiliary workers are assistants to social workers, providing support services and working under the supervision of social workers. Social auxiliary work complements and supports social work in all focus areas with services to individuals, families, groups and communities.

This occupation assists in the provisioning of social services and support to individuals, families, groups and communities with regards to a full range of social services and related social welfare matters. These services include but are not limited to services and support relating to:

  • Emotional trauma (Life Skills development)
  • Emotional Stress
  • financial stress
  • Recreational needs
  • Social needs and matters relating to housing. (Developmental approach)

A qualified learner will be able to:

  • Provide basic counseling and support services to individuals and families with socio-economic challenges
  • Facilitate non-therapeutic (educational and support groups) groups towards the accomplishments of the developmental goals of the group
  • Facilitate participatory development in communities to address their common socio-economic needs and to promote social justice
  • Collect and collate data to inform social services intervention

Entry Requirements

Grade 12 certificate (NQF 4)

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

Knowledge Modules

  1. Social Auxiliary Work and Social Welfare Services In The South African Context, at NQF Level 5, 28 Credits.
  2. Social work – Methods and principles, at NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  3. Communication and Life Skills in Social Auxiliary Work, at NQF Level 5, 13 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 50.

Practical Skill Modules

  1. Render basic counseling and support. Support the counseling processes, at NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
  2. Support the processes to intervene with individuals and families, at NQF Level 5, 4 Credits.
  3. Facilitate educational, life skills and support group programs, at NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
  4. Assist in implementation of community development process, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  5. Assist with obtaining and keeping data that inform social services intervention strategies, at NQF Level 47 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 33.

This qualification also requires the following:

Work Experience Modules

  1. Exposure to the client counseling and referral processes, at NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
  2. Exposure to the facilitation of non-therapeutic group processes, at NQF Level 5, 14 Credits.
  1. Exposure to community development processes, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
  2. Exposure to the social work administration processes, at NQF Level 4, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 46.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher certificate in Social Auxiliary, NQF Level 5 (ID 93971)

Vertical Articulation

Diploma in Social Work, NQF Level 6 (ID 8151)