Occupational Certificate: Social Counselling Support Worker
NQF level 4, SAQA ID 11143, 55 credits
Purpose of the Qualification
The Occupational Certificate: Social Counselling Support Worker is part of the Occupational Certificate: Social Counselling Worker registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5.
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the learner with the required knowledge, practical skills and workplace-based experience to operate as a Social counselling Support Worker.
A Social Counselling Support Worker offers supportive counselling functions to individuals, raise awareness of their services and refer individuals to appropriate services.
Qualifying learners will be able to:
Associated Assesment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
The client understanding of the immediate challenge/threat is determined.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
Appropriate documentation is completed and stored for record keeping according to organisational policies.
Integrated Assessments
Integrated Formative Assessment:
Integrated Summative Assessment:
Articulation Options
This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically with the following qualifications:
Horizontal Articulation:
Vertical Articulation:
NOTES
Qualifying for External Assessment:
In order to qualify for the external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statement of results and work experience records.
Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
None.
Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website.
The curriculum title and code is: Social Counselling Support Worker: 263501-000-00-01.
Encompassed Trades: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the National Learners' Records Database (NLRD): This is not a trade qualification.
Assessment Quality Partner (AQP): Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA).
Parent Qualification: 263501-000-00-00, Occupational Certificate: Social Counselling Worker, Level, 5.
Part-Qualifications Related to the Occupational Certificate: Social Counselling Support Worker: None.
Curriculum
This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:
Knowledge Modules:
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 30.
Practical Skill Modules:
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 10.
Work Experience Modules:
Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 15.
Duration
6 Months
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 results or by 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:
Rationale
There is an urgent need for a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualification in counselling as there is currently very limited recognition or regulation of counsellors functioning at NQF Level 4. There is very little consistency in standards and counselling contexts across and within provinces in South Africa.
Unqualified counsellors currently work in a variety of contexts often in environments where mental health professionals such as psychologists and social workers are not necessarily accessible to the majority of the population. The qualification will provide a consistent basis for evaluating and regulating counselling at NQF Level 4 and will ensure greater access to counselling services.
Counselling enables one or more people to go through the process of finding solutions to their concerns or difficulties. Counselling may take various forms and may include individuals, couples, families, domestic units and groups. This qualification will allow counsellors to be recognised and will address current national health and social service priorities. Ideally, qualifying learners will operate under supervision.
This qualification is aimed at both new entrants and learners who are already working in welfare environments such as communities, church-based groups and private practices, and will provide learners with knowledge and skills to facilitate and enhance client's well-being by applying counselling techniques.
This qualification offers a variety of learning pathways in areas such as public health and wellbeing, social work, community work, nursing and emergency care and incorporates all different religious backgrounds.
Learners who successfully complete the qualification can advance their careers and further their studies by enrolling for the Social Counselling Worker qualification that is pegged at NQF Level 5. This qualification will provide them with knowledge and skills to screen and/or assess clients under supervision and refer them to appropriate services.
Completion of higher-level counselling qualifications will also allow learners to take up more responsibilities as supervisors and/or managers in areas specific to their own practices or pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
Learners who have gained knowledge and skills through experience will be assessed through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in order to recognise their competencies.
It is recommended that qualified learners should register with South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognised Statutory and/or Professional Bodies upon completion of the qualification. This qualification will empower learners to access employment opportunities.
Society in general will benefit from the qualification because they will be served by qualified Social Counselling Support Workers.
Note: The above qualification information is taken from the SAQA Doc ID 111142.
International Compatibility
The South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification has been compared with similar qualifications offered in Australia and Scotland in terms of complexity, duration and levels. The two countries were chosen because of easy access to the required information. The part qualification, Social Counselling Support Worker qualification was considered in this comparison study.
Australia
Two qualifications, Diploma of Community Services, reference number-CHC52015 and Diploma of Counselling, CHC51015 are registered on the Australian Qualifications
amework.
The Diploma of Community, reference number-CHC52015 is offered over a period of 18 months. This qualification reflects the roles of community services, case management and social housing workers involved in managing, co-ordinating and/or delivering of person-centred services to individuals, groups and communities. Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to provide direct support to individuals or groups of individuals through the application of specialised skills in community services.
On the other hand, the Diploma of Counselling, CHC51015, which is offered over a year, is aimed at learners who work with clients on personal and psychological issues using established counselling modalities. Upon completion of the qualification, learners are able to use communication, micro-counselling and interviewing skills and draw on varied counselling therapies to assist clients. Competent learners of this qualification, who would have acquired the 'Counsellor' status, will work in defined and supported counselling roles in established agencies rather than in independent practice.
Units of learning that are covered in the two above-mentioned qualifications:
- Support counselling clients in decision-making processes.
- Apply learning theories in counselling.
- Apply specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills. Establish and confirm the counselling relationship.
- Facilitate the counselling relationship and process.
- Select and use counselling therapies.
Scotland
Qualifications registered on the Scottish Qualifications Framework are listed below:
- Introduction to Counselling Skills, Level 5 (EQF), 30 Credits.
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, Level 5 EQF), Credits 40.
- Certificate in Counselling, Level 5 (EQF) 20 Credits.
These qualifications are for learners working in a caring or helping role who wish to begin their journey in counselling skills to add value to their helping role. Upon completion of these qualifications, learners would have learnt about counselling models and theories. They would also have gained interpersonal, communication and basic counselling skills.
Similarities
Similarities between the South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification and qualifications registered on both the Australian and Scottish Qualifications Frameworks have been found to be in relation to course content covered in units of leaning. This applies to learning theories in counselling and establishing and confirming the counselling relationship. There are also similarities in credit values.
Differences
The South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification is pegged at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4. Due to the fact that the level at which units of learning covered in the Australian qualification has not been provided, it was challenging to make a comparison in this regard.
The South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification is a part qualification of the Social Counselling Worker qualification. This implies that learners who complete this qualification will be awarded a certificate which will qualify them to function under supervision. In other countries, units of learning that were found to comprise competencies that are covered in the South African qualification, are included in the qualification in its totality. Therefore, learners who complete learning against the two units of learning, will not be credited to function as qualification holders.
Differences have also been found with the structure and layout of the South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification. This qualification comprises Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules, whereas the qualifications in the two countries are composed of units of learning.
Conclusion
The South African Social Counselling Support Worker qualification compares favourably with qualifications chosen for this comparison in terms of scope, complexity and typical learners.
Course Fees 2024 - Social Counselling
Note: Monthly payment plan is available: R1300
For more information, contact nandipha.lugawe@huay.co.za.
Cc mary.mulenga@huay.co.za
Please submit the following documents with this Online Application Form:
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