Bachelor of Social Work
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Social Work program aims to provide learners with a solid foundation in the theory of social welfare, social development, and social work practice. This includes an emphasis on research skills and community engagement. The program is designed to meet the requirements set by the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). Upon completion, graduates will have the necessary competencies to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities through various interventions to improve their social functioning.
Social workers are trained to work with marginalized members of society, addressing social and economic oppression and exclusion. They engage communities in social action to bring about positive changes in socio-economic structures and living conditions. Learners will gain knowledge in social work theories, intervention models, skills, and techniques to effectively address the challenging socio-economic conditions prevalent in South Africa. The qualification prepares learners for employment by equipping them with relevant skills necessary for different fields of social work such as professional social work, medical social work, community development, probation, and generic social work.
Rationale:
The program is designed to meet the demands of the social welfare and social services sector. Graduates will be prepared for various roles such as Social Worker, Programme Manager, and Lecturer. Given the social challenges faced in South Africa, there is a need for social workers who are well-prepared to address issues related to social inequality, poverty, and marginalization. The qualification has been identified as a scarce skill by the South African government, and the institution aims to contribute to addressing the shortage of social workers in the country.
Many learners in the program are recipients of the National Department of Social Development Scholarship, which often requires them to work for the Department of Social Development upon completion of their studies. However, graduates also have opportunities for employment in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), academia, national and provincial departments of Social Development, Health, as well as Correctional Services. It is essential for learners to meet requirements such as the National Child Protection Register (Part B) and Police Clearance to be registered as Student Social Workers with the SACSSP. Registration as a Student Social Worker is mandatory from the second year of study, after passing all first-year social work modules.
Outcomes
- Develop and consolidate a professional identity as a social worker.
- Apply the core values and principles of social work.
- Holistically assess and provide an intervention with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Demonstrate competence in the use of codes of ethics vis-�-vis the moral impulse.
- Work with a range of diversities of people.
- Undertake research in Social Work related matters.
- Know, practice skills, and theories in Social work.
- Know Social Work related policy and legislation.
- Write and communicate the professional knowledge of Social.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Demonstrate the ability to advancing human rights and working with disadvantaged groups.
- Display commitment to social justice and egalitarian societies.
- Understand self as an important intervention instrument.
- Use validation as a core empowerment strategy.
- Show willingness for empathic entry into people's lifeworld.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills and openness to new paradigms.
- Commitment to professional ethics and ongoing development.
- Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity.
- Effective use of supervision in practice.
- Understanding the links between personal and professional dimensions of life.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Respect inherent worth and dignity of all human beings.
- Acceptance of the person while challenging harmful behaviors.
- Uphold value of doing no harm and practising beneficence.
- Respect mutual inter-dependence and inter-generational equity.
- Respect rights to inclusion and self-determination.
- Ensure confidentiality within legislative constraints.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Recognize humans as Bio-Psycho-Social beings.
- Undertake holistic assessments for interventions.
- Understand Person-in-Environment gestalt.
- Undertake appropriate interventions and monitor effectiveness.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Awareness of ethical principles and codes of ethics.
- Critical engagement with codes of ethics.
- Understanding of professional boundaries and unprofessional conduct.
- Decision-making through discourse ethics and supervision.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Self-awareness of personal and cultural values and biases.
- Competence in non-discrimination.
- Serve as cultural mediators.
- Importance of inter-sectoral collaboration and teamwork.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Skills in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
- Apply ethical requisites in social work research.
- Use research to inform practice.
- Document and communicate research findings.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Select theoretical perspectives for effective interventions.
- Understand structural determinants and sources of privilege/oppression.
- Facilitate praxis and consciousness-raising.
- Critical understanding of socio-structural inequalities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Understanding of social welfare policy and legislation.
- Analyse, formulate, evaluate, and advocate for policies.
- Relationship between law and social work.
- Knowledge of global, regional, and national declarations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Write coherent, logical, and grammatically correct reports.
- Awareness of ethical and legal aspects of report-writing.
- Clear and engaging oral communication skills.
- Function in a multilingual context and use translation when necessary.
Integrated Assessment:
- Continuous assessment with a minimum of 4 assessments during the term.
- Types of assessments include assignments, case-studies, presentations, reviews, projects, portfolios, tests, and examinations.
- Formative and summative assessments used in all levels of the qualification.
- Final mark based on continuous assessment and final examination.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.