Bachelor of Social Work

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Social Work is to provide an academically rigorous professional education that prepares social work learners with the flexibility to apply their social work knowledge and skills to engage with a range of people from micro- to macro-levels of social work, within a dynamic socio-political and economic context. Such learners will be able to engage people in problem-solving, promote social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. Underscored by principles of respect for human dignity and diversities, social justice, balancing human rights and its corollary duties and collective responsibilities the design of the qualification is underpinned by theories of social work, social and human sciences.

This qualification focuses on the development of

• Theoretical/Intellectual/academic competence expressed in a robust academic knowledge base;
• Operational/applied competence expressed in the building of contextually relevant and practical skills; and
• Reflexive competence expressed in the focus on a deepened self-understanding concerning others and the importance of people within a broader system.

The qualification contributes towards the intended outcomes by scaffolding competence building throughout the qualification to ensure incremental growth and development that covers the level, breadth and depth of theoretical/Intellectual/academic competence; Operational/applied competence; and reflexive competence required at each particular NQF level.

Rationale

There is a national need to train more social workers in a broad range of South African settings. The National List of Occupations in High Demand (Government Gazette Staatskoerant, Republic of South Africa, 22 June 2018) indicates that "Social Worker" is considered an occupation with higher levels of demand. Furthermore, the relevance and importance of social work in South Africa, against a background of immense psycho-social and economic disadvantages currently experienced by under-served communities is critical.

This qualification is aligned to the National Skills Development Strategy III (2011) and will train learners to be a skilled and capable workforce who can lead, share in, and contribute to addressing life challenges and enhancing the well-being of South Africa's people as well as promoting social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Furthermore, the "National Development Plan - Our future - Make it work" speaks specifically to developing the 'Next Generation of Academics for South African Higher Education'.

This qualification will increase access to innovative training that unlocks the enormous untapped potential that is latent in South Africa and will have built-in support mechanisms that increase student participation in their training and enhance throughput rates contributing to the Department of Social Development's strategic plan to train more social workers to build a more equal and more caring society in which all South Africans can realise their full potential (Department of Social Development, 2015) and in so doing accelerate access to a comprehensive and responsive social protection system. The social work qualification is also designed to enable learners to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning.

This qualification is a professionally-oriented Bachelor's Degrees with a minimum of a 480-credits designed in consultation with the South African Council of Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and allows for graduate registration with the SACSSP and practice as a Social Worker.

Learners entering the qualification will largely be school leavers with a passion and commitment to render preventative, protective, developmental and other social work interventions with individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities after graduation. Occupations, jobs or areas of activity of graduates.

Qualifying learners may be employed in the following fields

• Tradition Social Work.
• Community and social development and health and welfare agencies.
• Education, training and development.
• Child and youth care work.
• Social policy research and development.
• Advocacy agencies.
• Psychosocial intervention programmes.
• Human resources and employee wellness.
• Services for disability and ageing.
• Counselling and Mental health services.
• Juvenile justice, immigration and refugee support services.
• Programme management, project management and implementation.

The qualification will provide benefits to the learner, society and the economy. Qualifying learners will gain academic and practical skills needed to be effective agents of societal transformation which will have a benefit to the learner. Learners will be well equipped to take up a significant community role in addressing the plethora of social welfare realities currently faced by many South Africans, positive benefiting society and the economy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In keeping with the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework, the institution supports wider and more diverse access to higher education and therefore for mature learners (24+) not meeting the above requirements, a portfolio of evidence to support admission based on institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy can be submitted.

The Recognition of Prior Learning process can be applied for admission into a qualification

• Evidence of other forms of prior learning is evaluated for equivalence against the minimum entrance requirements of a qualification. The learner needs to provide verifiable and/or certified evidence that prior learning is equivalent to the minimum entry requirements of a qualification.
• The RPL process involves a fair and equitable assessment of the applicant's prior knowledge and skill in the field for which RPL is being sought.
• The learner's RPL application must be submitted together with their application for admission, prior to the commencement of their studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 533 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5,132 Credits

• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Social Work and the Developmental Social Welfare Paradigm, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology A, 12 Credits.
• Fundamentals of a Helping Relationship, 14 Credits.
• Counselling Modalities, 14 Credits.
• Diversity in the South African Context, 14 Credits.
• Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 1, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology B, 12 Credits.
• Counselling Modalities 2, 14 Credits.
• Generalist Practice 1, 12 Credits.
• Fieldwork Placement 1, 4 Credits.

Optional modules, Level 5, 10 Credits (Choose one module)

• Introduction to Sociology, 10 Credits.
• Sociology of the Family, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6,137 Credits

• Social Welfare Policy and the Law, 12 Credits.
• Human Behaviour in the Social Environment 2, 12 Credits.
• Ethics and Diversity in Social Work, 12 Credits.
• Community Psychology, 14 Credits.
• The Criminal Justice System and Forensic Work, 12 Credits.
• Social Psychology, 14 Credits.
• Generalist Practice 2, 12 Credits.
• Fieldwork Placement 2, 20 Credits.
• Human Sexuality and HIV Counselling, 15 Credits.
• Crisis and Trauma Counselling, 14 Credits.

Optional Modules, Level 6, 10 Credits (Choose one module)

• Culture, Religion and Society, 10 Credits.
• Stratification and Inequality, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7,128 Credits

• Needs Assessment in the South African Context, 14 Credits.
• Generalist Practice 3, 12 Credits.
• Fieldwork Placement 3, 36 Credits.
• Statistics in Social Science Research, 12 Credits.
• Applied Perspectives on Psychosocial and Mental Health Challenges in South Africa, 14 Credits.
• Applied Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Theories of Personality, 14 Credits.
• Psychopathology, 14 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,136 Credits

• Fieldwork Placement 4, 72 Credits.
• Social Work Management, Supervision and Administration, 12 Credits.
• Advocacy and Social Justice for At-Risk Populations, 10 Credits.
• Research Module, 30 Credits.
• Social Work Capstone Course, 12 Credits.

1. Present a sense of professional identity as a social worker within the context of professional practice.
2. Demonstrate accountability management in relationship to all professional roles, functions, responsibilities and characteristics of management and administration within social service delivery including developing and maintaining professional inter-sectoral social work collaborations.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of core values, principles, theories and methodologies of social work/social development and cognate theories, processes and social phenomena and the ability to apply such knowledge.
4. Consider the impact on the welfare of individuals, families and groups when planning social work methods, techniques and processes.
5. Identify, select and implement primary and secondary social work techniques, methods and practices that integrate micro, mezzo and macro-level factors with individuals, families, groups and communities.
6. Draw systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to the professional practice of social work and use a range of specialised skills to assess needs and then, analyse, select, implement and monitor and evaluate interventions in areas.
7. Embody the process of appraisal and implementation of the ethical requisites of the profession along with theories that support and assist in grappling with the complexities of ethical decision-making in day-to-day value centred, ethical social work process and practice.
8. Review, gather and synthesise information with the specialised context of the historical evolution of the profession internationally and South Africa.
9. Engage research in social work including the skills of interrogating and evaluating multiple sources of knowledge as well as an understanding of research paradigms, methods, design and strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Grow a professional identity as a social worker.
• Apply in a self-critical manner, learning strategies that enhance professional identity.
• Commit to supervision and their ongoing personal and professional development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Show an understanding of the responsibility and power of process and building sound relationships.
• Discuss social work as a context-embedded, proactive and responsive profession.
• Demonstrate that relationships are purposefully founded on knowledge of and insight into the nature of client systems and their dynamics, as well as on an understanding of ethical parameters.
• Maintain professional inter-sectoral social work relationships.
• Work effectively with other social workers and members of inter-sectoral and multi- and/or inter-disciplinary teams in social service delivery.
• Show an understanding of the roles, functions, knowledge and skills for effective social work supervision, management and administration within social service delivery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show an understanding of core values, principles, theories and methodologies of social work social development and cognate theories, processes and social phenomena.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement in the developmental social welfare paradigm and social work theories and processes.
• Appraise current status and position of the social work profession within the South African welfare context and locate these within current discourses on development practice within local and international contexts.
• Identify the purpose, functions and principles of social work within the social development paradigm.
• Show an understanding of the relationship between socio-political and economic factors and their influence on social services

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Discuss the knowledge and theory of human behaviour and the social environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the centrality of the person-in-environment transaction, life-span development and the interaction among biological, psychological, socio-structural, economic, political, cultural and spiritual factors in shaping human development and behaviour.
• Discuss the impact of biopsychosocial factors on roles and relationships between elements within the system to operate effectively within a system.
• Explain the mutual inter-dependence and a commitment to inter-generational equity and distributive justice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diversity and competence in non-discrimination.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Select and execute primary and secondary social work methods, intervention processes and techniques including but not limited to the holistic assessment of client systems and social functioning.
• Hold the complexities and uncertainties of selecting and applying methods, processes and techniques.
• Plan, implement and evaluate appropriate social work intervention strategies and techniques at micro, mezzo and macro levels.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Access and utilise resources appropriate to client systems needs and strengths to implement interventions with families, groups and communities.
• Evaluate the outcomes of social work intervention strategies, techniques and processes.
• Build supportive stimulating environments and provide life skills training, psychosocial interventions and psychoeducation focused around issues of vulnerability and building resilience in the context of widespread risk.
• Identify, select and implement various techniques, methods and means of raising awareness.
• Demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity to local, national and global issues concerning human and civil rights, distributive justice and oppression.
• Commit to achieving economic and social justice, particularly for at-risk populations, through advocacy practice.
• Act as advocates for social justice in society engaging people in social action and the improvement of psycho-socio- economic structures in the various fields of service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply core values and principles of social work.
• Show an understanding of theories that support and assist with critical reflection in grappling with the suitability of different ethical value systems.
• Implement social work values and ethical principles in varying social work contexts.
• Make ethically sound decision-making in day-to-day practice.
• Appraise the practical implications of ethical principles and values for social work practice.
• Critique and preserve the provisions in the Code of Ethics of the South African Council for Social Service to potential limitations and benefits.
• Practice reflecting the ethics of teamwork.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate an understanding of how social welfare policy and legislation influence the conception of issues as social problems, interventions, and resource allocation.
• Analyse, formulate, evaluate, and advocate for policies that enhance human wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
• Apply and uphold the basic values and principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution with social work service delivery.
• Elucidate national, provincial and local governance structures, and the general laws and charters governing social welfare policy and social work services in South Africa.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how social policies and legislation on social issues impact on issues.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how social welfare policy and legislation are developed and influenced.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and functions of the social worker within relevant statutory frameworks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate the ability to research writing a research proposal and research thesis that is academically grounded and methodologically sound.
• Comprehensively review academic literature related to the research topic.
• Compose well-formulated research proposals and a research thesis.
• Comply with research ethics in both the execution of research and the dissemination of findings.
• Reflect knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms; research designs; sampling procedures; and methods of data collection and data analysis.
• Execute research, as per the chosen methodology, including data collection and analysis.
• Interpret data and draw recommendations are consistent with data analyses and study findings.
• Write a Research Thesis that demonstrates an ability to gather, analyse, organise, synthesise and evaluate data and research findings, as well as related information and ideas from a variety of sources.
• Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the link between knowledge construction, research and application in social work practice.
• Present and communicate academic, professional or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment measures can be both formal and informal. Learners are provided with comprehensive feedback for all formative assessment tasks to become more effective learners, and to improve learner achievement and to guide their instruction.

A formative assessment is graded using a standard Assessment Grading Sheet as the basis for all assessments. Assessment guidelines also identify any extra components that are required. An educator of the supervisor within the qualification can customise the Assessment Grading Sheet by adding in the extra components to ensure that each assessment is compliant with the key learning outcomes of a given module. In the BSW the following types of formative assessment are used, the percentage of their use being relative to the overall assessment strategy:

• Active Class preparation and engagement.
• Reading Reports.
• Literature Review and Critique.
• Reflective Essays/Papers.
• Research Paper (Essays).
• Case study/Analysis/Critique.
• Research Proposal (followed by Research Thesis).
• Intervention Programme.
• Portfolio of Evidence/Fieldwork placement report/Thesis.

The summative assessment represents the final assessment of module content within the qualification. A summative assessment primarily takes the form of an examination at the end of a module. A summative assessment must be based upon all of the key learning outcomes as set out in the module outline and addressed throughout the various sessions of study. Although a mid-module test or assessment may occur, these are primarily prepared as a formative tool of assessment in that they are a part of on-going instruction that helps to modify the pace of learning. By contrast, a summative assessment is provided to assess learner achievement of targeted key learning objectives or learning goals over the whole learning cycle of a given module.