Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development is to equip learners with a variety of skills in Community Development processes, approaches, and theoretical and professional knowledge. The qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills in Community Development to effectively facilitate community development processes, approaches, and methods.

The qualification is intended for professionals possessing NQF Level 7 qualifications currently employed in public service, Non-Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, and Corporate and Civic Entities as indicated in the Social Service Professionals (SSP) Bill. The qualification also targets working and other professionals who seek to consolidate their skills base and improve their careers.

Upon completing this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Apply participatory community development methods and techniques and integrate the role of community development in the economy and qualify for registration as a Community Development Practitioner in line with the proposed SSP Bill.
• Facilitate the collective action needed to build and empower communities including but not limited to the poor.
• Identify and analyse, at an advanced level, macro social conditions in the context of the policy development process, develop, facilitate, evaluate, and adjust appropriate actions and reflect on these actions, based on a relevant theoretical framework.
• Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate and reflect on information, regarding the relevance of policies and macro social problems and needs, based on a relevant theoretical framework.
• Analyse, develop and manage human and environmental resources, at an advanced level, based on a relevant theoretical framework.
• Address, at an advanced level, specific social problems through the social policy management process, by considering the White Paper on Social Welfare and the political and socio-economic influences in South Africa.
• Present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences.

The Social Services Professions Act, 1973 is currently under review to recognise Community Development as an emerging legislated profession. This qualification will add to the cohort of qualifications, which include the Bachelor of Community Development (NQF Level 8), that a Community Development Practitioner (CPD) must possess to be registered for practice. This profession will be informed by the theoretical knowledge, skills, ethics, and values needed to enhance the practice of community development. After completion, the qualification will further qualify practitioners for a Master's degree in the field of community development.

Rationale

The social practice is currently undergoing a process of professionalisation which will be legislated in the revised Social Services Practitioners Bill (SSP) that has since returned from public comment. The qualification will assist with a homogenised registration requirement as envisaged in the Bill for a cohort of practitioners possessing different NQF Level 7 qualifications. According to the Bill, one needs to have an NQF Level 8 qualification in community development for registration as a practitioner. The professionalisation of community development in South Africa, therefore, necessitates an urgent need for a cohort of highly trained community development specialists for the public, civic, and private sectors. This qualification enhances the identity of an emerging profession among a plethora of social service qualifications.

This qualification strengthens and consolidates theoretical and practical skills for individuals involved in community development work without possessing a formal qualification in community development. Community Development is a unique form of practice, not to be interpreted as a generic or nonspecific process of social change, but rather as a deliberate form of practice that is linked to relevant processes and associated approaches based on ethical and practical principles within a relevant context. The qualification facilitates holistic and integrative empowerment processes for democratic and participatory outcomes of collective change, inclusion, and equality towards sustainable well-being. Many individuals practising community development in various organs of government (human settlements, health, social development, local government, and traditional affairs among others), non-profit sector plus an emergent and increasing presence in the private sector do not possess a formal qualification in Community Development. The limited options for formal qualifications in the specialized field of Community Development at NQF Level 8 reflect a gap in higher education.

According to South Africa's National Development Plan 2030, the country will need 55,000 trained social service practitioners, inclusive of Community Development practitioners.

The status reflects a deficit of appropriately qualified social service professionals available to meet current demand, particularly those trained in Community Development. While there are current practitioners in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, most of them have an NQF Level 7 qualification that is not linked to community development. This qualification fills a gap in the existing higher education system in South Africa and provides an opportunity for those learners pursuing community development careers who want to learn in a community development environment. The qualification therefore does not only consolidate the professional qualifications and skills of current and aspiring Community Development Practitioners (CDPs) but it also provides a flexible learning regimen as it will be solely online. This will enable current working practitioners both in and outside South Africa to enrol for this qualification. This qualification addresses the needs of both learners and stakeholders by equipping learners with the knowledge of theory and practice as well as the skills to conduct research in and with communities. The qualification also provides articulation options for learners who want to further their studies at Master's level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advanced standing within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

• Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Extension and Community Development, NQF Level 07.

Or

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science in Community Service, NQF Level 07.

Or

• Bachelor of Social Science, NQF Level 07.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts: Human Ecology: Community Development, NQF Level 07.

Or

• Bachelor's degree in the relevant field, NQF Level 07.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 124 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 124 Credits

• Community Development Philosophy and Theory 1, 12 Credits.
• Community Development Approaches, Practices and Skills 1, 12 Credits.
• Legislation and Policy in Community Development, 12 Credits.
• Supervision and Management, 12 Credits.
• Community Development Approaches, Practices and Skills 2, 12 Credits.
• Community Development Philosophy and Theory 2, 12 Credits.
• Research in Community Development, 12 Credits.
• Community Development Work Integrated Learning (POE), 40 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of a field, discipline, or practice; an understanding of the theories, research methodologies, methods, and techniques relevant to the field, discipline, or practice; and an understanding of how to apply such knowledge in a particular context.
2. Demonstrate the ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in an area of specialisation and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying, or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field, discipline, or practice.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to a field, discipline, or practice.
5. Demonstrate the ability to identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
6. Demonstrate the ability to critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation, and management processes in specialised contexts to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
7. Demonstrate the ability to present and communicate academic, professional, or occupational ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.
8. Demonstrate an ability to operate effectively within a system, or manage a system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
9. Demonstrate the ability to apply, in a self-critical manner, learning strategies which effectively address his or her professional and ongoing learning needs and the professional and ongoing learning needs of others.
10. Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for his or her work, decision-making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Analyse community development philosophical approaches and theories from a variety of perspectives demonstrating an in-depth, critical engagement with relevant ideas and concepts.
• Apply theories, approaches, and processes to facilitate sustainable and participatory community development initiatives.
• Critically reflect on the integration of theory with practice through facilitating community development initiatives in multiple settings.
• Interpret, implement, and monitor policy and legislation about community development.
• Critically analyse and apply processes of organisational development, supervision, and management within community development practice.
• Apply community development theories, models, and skills within a focused area of community development practice with a defined client population.
• Critically analyse philosophies and theories of community development relevant to a specific context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Engage critically with current debates and ideas on a range of contemporary social issues.
• Contribute to knowledge in community development by gathering, consolidating, interpreting, and reviewing relevant data and revealing relationships between various concepts.
• Debate contemporary discourses and global issues relating to community development in the broader context.
• Construct a topical argument pertaining to a concept relevant to the field of study and display the ability to logically analyse and synthesise knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Explore, apply, and reflect on a variety of community development strategies on facilitation, empowerment, and management within a human developmental environment.
• Appreciate different research methodologies and select those relevant or appropriate for the research topic questions.
• Research, analyse and critically discuss relevant scholarly issues in a clear, concise, and rigorous way, suggesting and motivating alternative viewpoints.
• Design and conduct an independent research project in the specialised area of study, demonstrating a broad understanding of a body of knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify and solve development-related problems in a creative and critical manner.
• Evaluate a variety of research approaches and methodologies and apply the appropriate research procedures, techniques, and instruments in a community-based context.
• Analyse and synthesise data and textual information gathered via research conducted in a community-based context.
• Introduce and apply the principles of social research ethics within the context of a community research project.
• Produce a scientifically sound/accurate, logical, and coherently argued research paper and present it according to appropriate academic standards based on actual research conducted in a community setting.
• Identify and analyse poverty and developmental problems and develop and manage projects to address poverty and developmental problems, by considering the White Paper on Social Welfare and the political and socio-economic influences in South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply the ethics, principles, values, and processes of community development to a specific context.
• Conduct a community analysis, demonstrating an awareness of the value and ethical issues.
• Examine the value and ethical issues in the development, implementation, and evaluation of community development programmes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Assess and evaluate information gathered to the benefit of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Conduct a critical review of pertinent literature.
• Make use of various sources critically and integrate these into a research report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Consolidate knowledge into coherent writing with insightful conclusions and of an acceptable standard of technical correctness, literacy style and presentation.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with individuals, groups and organizations in communities using visual, language, group work and mass media skills in oral or written formats.
• Communicate community-development-related information verbally and in writing to a range of audiences with due regard for the communication and the ethical value system of the specific context.
• Work and communicate with others as a member of a multi-disciplinary team when studying theoretical perspectives of the field of specialisation.
• Produce written work to deadline making effective use of the conventions of scholarly presentation (references, bibliography, etc).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Establish and maintain relationships with strategic partners in government, civil society, and bilateral agencies.
• Apply knowledge of the interdependent relationships between individuals, families, groups/organisations, the community, the State, and society to facilitate processes to build interdependent relationships in an authentic community development context and within own scope of practice.
• Analyse and interpret legislation, policies, and international conventions for application and/or compliance in a specific context.
• Explain the processes through which legislation and policies are formulated with reference to how individuals and communities can be involved in and/or influence the processes.
• Analyse social policies relevant to community development in terms of the inter-relationship between the policies.
• Develop and communicate a new understanding of the world as a set of related problem-focused systems by exercising critical thinking and judgement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Critically analyse and apply processes of organisational development, supervision, and management within community development practice.
• Evaluate and communicate options through self-reflection, application of principles, ethical values, interprofessional relations and emotional intelligence.
• Identify relevant areas for professional development.
• Develop a self-directed programme for skills development.
• Take responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) to keep up to date with new developments and maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Function effectively and cooperatively with others from relevant disciplines to apply an integrated approach to problem-solving in development.
• Work effectively with others as a member of a team and facilitate, co-ordinate and empower teams to become effective, sustainable community-based organizations, based on a relevant theoretical framework.