Bachelor of Social Work

The purpose of the Social Work Programme is twofold

Firstly, to equip graduates with knowledge, skills and values required for developmental social work practice in South Africa.

Secondly, to educate and train social workers to participate in the development and implementation of innovative and effective social services that address the social needs and contribute to the challenge of social transformation in South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The university is prepared to test candidates wishing to enter through non-traditional means, to establish whether, in the opinion of senate, the person is prepared for Degree studies in which case an application will be made for conditional exemption.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate.

N/A

1. Clearly articulate the core concepts of social and human development, social work and cognate theories.
2. The ability to integrate the foundational and practical competencies as reflected in the student`s applied practice with clients in a range of organisational settings.
3. Develop critical academic literacy skills as well as the range of professional skills required of a social worker.
4. Demonstrate reflexive learning as well as convey the values and attitudes associated with professional conduct.
5. Use information-technology standard in professional offices efficiently and independently.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply social science knowledge and practices to the analysis and resolution of problems in a variety of organisational contexts:

> Contribute to social development programmes and to the resolution of social problems through the application of basic social science theory and research methods.

> Utilise an ethically sound approach to problem solving and research in a variety of contexts that bear on the well-being of individuals and society.

> Prepare and produce written communications for a variety of potential audiences that are problem focused, clear, and informative.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Use information-technology standard in professional offices efficiently and independently; Explain concepts of Social Work/social development and cognate theories, processes and social phenomena.
• Critical understanding of developmental processes at one or more intervention levels in a variety of settings within the South African development context.
• Critically analyse, apply and evaluate one or more analytic frameworks and intervention strategies in a variety of organisational contexts.
• Understand the link between knowledge construction, research and professional practice in social work.
• Interpret given theories and locate these within current discourses on development practice within local and international contexts.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the socio-political and legal structures and their influence on society and social services.
• Understand social service policy and delivery frameworks in South Africa and how this impacts on society and social services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop critical literacy skills, i.e. the ability to analyse, compare, assess and synthesise information and apply key concepts to Social Work practice.
• Produce written texts of a descriptive, analytic and argumentative character to acceptable academic and professional standards.
• Master professional oral and visual presentation skills, demonstrating analysis of an argumentative nature while integrating theory with practice.
• Apply one or more research method(s).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Assess social needs and apply appropriate integrated intervention (i.e. methods, processes and skills) of the discipline at both abstract and concrete levels of engagement.
• Produce written texts accounting for practice intervention.
• Work collaboratively with representatives from all sectors of society.
• Adhere to professional codes of conduct.
• Identify and respond appropriately to issues of social diversity and inequality; Promote the process of transformation towards equity and democracy.
• Be resourceful and utilise self-directed and self-reflexive learning strategies.
• Utilise knowledge of management and supervision to enhance professional practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Understand and manipulate quantitative information provided in tables, graphs and sets of equations.
• Critically understand written texts of descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters.
• Produce written texts of descriptive, prescriptive and argumentative characters to accepted international standards in his or her specific field of training (as these may exist at the time of his or her graduation).
• Find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently and use and organise such information to conduct systematic research aimed at providing answers to questions whose resolutions are not antecedently known, or to verifying answers that are assumed on the basis of "accepted wisdom".
• Understand and critically appreciate the contribution of major artistic and cultural activities and performances to community and national life.
• Use the internet to find and access information.

Integrated Assessment

At both the 200 and 300 level social work students will be assessed through the following formative assessment methods throughout the Field Practice Internship:

• Ongoing evaluation occurs through self-evaluation, peer evaluation, agency and university supervisor evaluation using the following tools: Weekly reports, weekly supervision and weekly tutorials. All of these assessment methods assess foundational, practice and reflexive competencies, with particular attention to students` ability to integrate theory and practice.

At both the 200 and 300 level students will be assessed through the following summative assessment methods

• Written reports and oral presentations assessing the various intervention methods, processes and skills, representing their integration of theory with their professional provision of services. Assessment reflects an integration of foundational, practice and reflexive competencies.

The competencies (as set out in learning outcomes) will be assessed through the capstone site, identified as the Field Practice Internship. This Field Practice Internship at third year level involves students engaging in professional practice (three days per week during the second semester of the final year) at a social service organisation. The Field Practice Internship is a unique site in that it captures the full spectrum of Specific learning outcomes and the related assessment criteria of the Social Work Programme.

The Internship requires that students demonstrate

• The foundational competencies required at third year level which focus on theoretical and contextual knowledge related to Social Work, social development and the South African social service policy and practice environment.
• The practice competencies including academic literacy skills as well as the range of professional skills required of a Social Worker.
• The ability to integrate the above-mentioned foundational and practice competencies as reflected in the student`s applied practice with clients in a range of organisational settings.

The reflexive competencies that centre on the ability to demonstrate reflexive learning as well as convey the values and attitudes associated with professional conduct.