Course Description

This qualification is to prepare a learner to pursue a career as a Social Auxiliary Worker. Social auxiliary work as defined in the Regulations to the Social Services Professions Act, 1978 is defined as ” an act or activity practised by a Social Auxiliary Worker 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, 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 under the guidance of a fully qualified social worker. 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).

In order to provide this assistance and support to the social work team, a qualification in social auxiliary work and registration with the SA Council for Social Service Professions are necessary.

Purpose Of The Qualification

The purpose of this qualification is to give a learner a better understanding of the social work field and give some basic knowledge on the following:

• Basic 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 behaviour, 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.

The successful completion of the qualification will enable the learner to:

• Register with the SA Council for Social Service Professions as a Social Auxiliary Worker in terms of section 18 of the Social Service Professions Act, 1978 (Act 110 of 1978).
• Continue learning and gain access, for example to the Bachelor of Social Work (NQF Level 7) qualification.

Who This Course is for

The Certificate in auxiliary work is a qualification for someone who wishes to pursue a career in the field of social work, students that are already in the services of NPO’s, NGO’s, CBO’s and other organisations that provide social services and other welfare related services. Social Auxiliary workers will work under the supervision of a social worker and not as a social worker. This qualification will provide the holder of the certificate with opportunities for better access to higher education and work with social workers in government and non-governmental organisations. Learners will be registered with SACSSP (South African Council of Social Services Professional.) 

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

In order to gain access to this qualification, a learner must possess at least a Grade 10 or equivalent certificate or an NQF Level 3 qualification.

• Learners registering for this qualification must have the following skills:
• Reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English, equivalent to NQF Level 3, as at least 80% of the textbooks and documentation are in English.
• The ability to undertake independent learning.

The Course Outlook

The Course consists of the following: Theoretical training (30% of the training programme) with 5 Learning Modules, practical workplace training at a welfare organisation e.g. NGO’s, NPO’s, DSD, DOH, DOE (70% of the training programme).

Both theoretical training and practical workplace in Social Auxiliary Work training is compulsory.

The assessments in this programme consists of theoretical examinations, practical assignments, and a summative case study. It is a must for all students to be competent in all these areas of assessment to qualify for the Social Auxiliary work certificate. Where a learner is not yet competent, he or she will be granted another opportunity.

Final end-of-program examinations are written once learners have completed all course modules. Learners, who are found not to be competent in a module during the examination, will be given another opportunity to write a supplementary examination.