SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Refer cases in a probation work context 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120284  Refer cases in a probation work context 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Probation Work 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the social work field.
  • Construct an elementary community profile.
  • Refer cases outside of own scope. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Communications and mathematics literacy competence equivalent to NQF Level 3.
  • Competence equivalent to that described in ht e unit standards: Demonstrate an understanding of probation work, Demonstrate knowledge of crime prevention within a probation context, Apply knowledge of social issues in relation to probation work. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:

    The duties of the Assistant Probation Officer is defined in the Probation Services Amendment Act, (2002):

    4A
  • The Minister may appoint as many suitable persons as he or she may deem necessary as assistant probation officers to perform the duties imposed by or under this Act or any other law on an assistant probation officer.
  • The duties of an assistant probation officer shall include:
    > The monitoring of a child subject to home-based supervision.
    > The monitoring of persons subject to supervision.
    > Family finding.
    > The gathering of information for assessment by the probation officer, 10.
    > Assisting a probation officer with his or her duties. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate understanding of the social work field. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different areas within the field of Social Work are identified and distinguished by means of their key focus and constituent members. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Areas include: Social Work, Youth Work, Child & Youth Care Work, Probation Work, Community Development.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different departments within the Public Administration are identified and differentiated by means of their structures, and the nature of their service provision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different cognate disciplines are identified and distinguished by means of their key focus and constituent members. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Disciplines include: psychology, social work, mental health, health, law, education, policing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Areas of overlap between the fields and disciplines are identified and explained with reference to possible conflict, as well as potential for misunderstanding and duplication of effort. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Own role and key duties are clearly described in line with the requirements of current legislation and organisational descriptions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Legislation includes: Probation Services Amendment Act.
  • Role and duties include: section 4a: monitoring of home based supervision, family finding, information gathering for assessment, assistance to Probation Officer with duties (including running of programmes - diversion programmes, educational awareness).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The conditions for professional conduct in own field are clearly articulated and agree with the prescriptions of current legislation and codes of conduct. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Professional conduct is characterised by: Underpinning and recognised body of knowledge, Professional practice board), Ethical stance based on professional norms of service to community, Formalised in code of ethics, Genuine autonomy of practice.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Construct an elementary community profile. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of community profiles is explained with reference to a community's diverse needs and the need for appropriate referral. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The key components of community profiles are listed together with implications for different service branches and disciplines in the field. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key components include: demographics, characteristics of community - industrial, rural, environmental, employment and economic context, education opportunities, health services, religion, recreational issues and facilities, developmental programmes, housing, transport, other infrastructure (telephones, electricity), resource availability.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Community profiles, relevant to own area of work or current involvement, are located and sourced as required from appropriate departments or sections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Where profiles are not available, simple community profiles constructed provide a basis for understanding of community issues, as well as accurate referral of cases. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Refer cases outside of own scope. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Specific areas of 'inclusion' and 'exclusion' are identified in relation to own scope within probation work. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Excluded duties are: therapeutic interventions (including counselling at this level), changing behaviour, assessment for statutory purposes, recommendations to court (inferences about behaviour), supervision of auxiliary workers.
  • Included duties are: support, basic counselling, information gathering, supervision of HBS and/or clients, monitoring of clients, running information and/or awareness programmes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cases, or aspects of cases, are analysed for fit with own scope of responsibility and for areas of overlap with other fields and/or disciplines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Questions, applications and/or requests are accurately referred to appropriate departments or agencies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Applications and requests include: general requests for aid, grant applications and pensions, requests for professional interventions, abuse, HIV/AIDS.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Socials service referrals are accompanied by lists of possible resources and contact details where available and applicable. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Referrals required by law are identified and correctly allocated in terms of current legislation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Referrals include: reports of child abuse, therapeutic treatment interventions, other areas governed by the provisions of the Social Service Professions Act.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Referrals are made with a degree of urgency appropriate to the nature of the case and the specific context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The process of referral meets requirements for information and format, and avoids unnecessary delays. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Accreditation Options: Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation Option: The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • Note: Must identify circumstances and make appropriate references of cases. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Note: Needs to be able to work across the entire social services field. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: Must profile communities, analyse cases, and make referrals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: profile communities; gather details of cases; gather information on available social services; make referrals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
  • Note: core skill - liaison and information gathering and dissemination. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: using technology for research and information capture purposes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Note: critical - understanding of the field as a whole in order to make accurate referrals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Definition of Terms:

    Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:
  • 'Assessment' means a process of developmental assessment or evaluation of a person, the family circumstances of the person, the nature and circumstances surrounding the alleged commission of an offence, its impact on the victim, the attitude of the alleged offender in relation to the offence and any other relevant factor.
  • 'Child' means any young person under the age of 18 years.
  • 'Family finder' means a person appointed under section 9 and includes an assistant probation officer.
  • 'Family group conferencing' means a gathering convened by a probation officer as a diversion or sentencing option to devise a restorative justice response to the offence.
  • 'Family member' means a person who is related to another person biologically, by law or according to customary law.
  • 'Home-based supervision' means supervision under certain conditions where an arrested, accused, convicted or sentenced child in the care of his or her parents or guardian or in the custody of any other person, is monitored by an assistant probation officer.
  • 'Restorative justice means the promotion of reconciliation restitution and responsibility through the involvement of a child and the child's parents family members victims and the communities concerned.
  • 'Supervision' means supervision of [a] an accused convicted or sentenced person by a probation officer [by virtue] in terms of the provisions of any law. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50041   Further Education and Training Certificate: Probation Work  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.