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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of trauma and skills for supportive counselling 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252531  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of trauma and skills for supportive counselling 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Psychology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies General Social Science 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who counsel people in a variety of situations, but who are not registered professionals such as qualified Social Workers, Psychologist and other health workers registered with the Healthcare Professionals Council of South Africa and. It will be useful for counsellors in a variety of counselling contexts including, but not limited to, schools, Non-Governmental Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, the South African Police Service, Counselling Call Centres, Hospitals, Clinics and Support Agencies, Sports Centres, Education and Training facilities, Government and Health and Social Services. It should enable learners to recognise trauma in a client and know their scope of practice, behave ethically in a counselling context, conform to minimum standards and know when to refer client. Counsellors at this level do supportive work such as mobilising a client to cope, mobilising social support and giving practical assistance. Competence in this Unit Standard will not qualify a learner to probe or uncover the details of a traumatic event. Ideally learners who are competent in this Unit Standard should be under the supervision of an appropriately qualified professional mental health worker with experience of trauma and should not work independently. The Unit Standard will be useful for frontline helpers in refugee shelters, hospitals, schools and emergency services.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining how a traumatic event impacts on an individual.
  • Describing how a counsellor should approach a client.
  • Demonstrating skills for supportive counselling.
  • Identifying risk factors in the client's environment.
  • Reflecting on the effect of a client's trauma on the counsellor. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication at NQF Level 3. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard is frontline counselling under supervision.
  • Scope of practice refers to the boundaries within which the counsellor operates without referral as defined by own work context. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain how a traumatic event impacts on an individual. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The difference between a crisis and a trauma is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Typical responses to a traumatic event are identified and explained with reference to the functioning of the body and the mind. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Responses include but are not limited to signs and symptoms typical in adults, youth and children of different ages.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The short and medium term emotional responses to a traumatic event are described and an indication is given of the consequences if trauma is not treated and reasons for referral. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Personal strengths that help an individual to deal with trauma are identified with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe how a counsellor should approach a client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The difference between distress and disorder is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The needs of a specific traumatised person are prioritised in order to inform the counselling process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Needs should consider age, faith, gender and sexual orientation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The dangers of over exposure are explained with reference to secondary victimisation and telling the story. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dangers include but are not limited to timing, repetition, attitude of listener and other parties.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The qualities required of a responsible trauma counsellor are identified and an indication is given of the consequences if a counsellor is careless or unsympathetic. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate skills of supportive counselling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The skills of supportive counselling are demonstrated as a means of containment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Skills of supportive counselling include but are not limited to reassuring, distracting, comforting and grounding.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate resources available for support and referral are accessed in a specific community or environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Social support is mobilised for a specific client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A referral process is explained and an indication is given of the consequences if the process is not handled sensitively. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The rights and responsibilities of the client are explained with reference to a specific trauma. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Skills to empower a client who has experienced trauma are explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify risk factors in the client's environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Practical emergency assistance required in a specific situation is identified and arrangements are made to assist the client where possible. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Immediate threats in the environment are identified and recommendations are made to minimise the risk in a client's environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Special risks relating to children are explained and an indication is given of legal and other aspects that may impact on decisions. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Reflect on the effect of a client's trauma on the counsellor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The consequences of a counsellor being exposed to the trauma of others over time are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ways of caring for own health and wellness in a counselling environment are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of knowing own limits is explained with examples. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems and make decisions in offering practical emergency assistance and recommending ways to minimise risks in the client's environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work as a member of a team in accessing available resources and referring clients. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself in reflecting on the effect of a client's trauma on him/herself and taking steps to care for own health and wellness. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information in investigating identifying risk factors in a client's environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to be culturally sensitive in describing how a counsellor should approach a client. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49256   Further Education and Training Certificate: Counselling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 
    Elective  66869   National Certificate: Home Affairs Services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Elective  59429   National Certificate: Inclusive Education  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP 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.
     
    1. Montague Education and Training (PTY)Ltd 
    2. TMG Quality Services 


    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.