S A Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) Private Bag X12, Gezina, 00 37 Annie Botha Ave, Riviera, 0084 Tel: (012) 356 8333 Fax: (012) 356 8400 Email: mail@sacssp.co.za Website: www.sacssp.co.za Inq: Ref.: REGISTRATION AS A CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WKER FREQUENLTY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Why must I register with the SACSSP? A: You are required to register as a Child and Youth Care Worker Because Child and Youth Care Work is a profession in terms of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. Put simply, it is a legal requirement that you register in order to be employed and /or practice as a Child and Youth Care Worker. 2. What is the fee amount to pay for my registration? A: The fees and annual registration fee can change from year to year, but the fees now payable are listed in the schedule of fees attached to the regulations or they can be obtained from the SACSSP website: www.sacssp.co.za 3. What benefits do I get from SACSSP? A: Your registration provides legal assurance to your clients, children, youth and families that they are protected against you, as a professional, acting or practicing in a way that is unethical when you are providing them with services. It is for this reason that you have by regulation to display your registration certificate in a way that allows it to be seen by your clients. pg. 1
4. Will registration impact on salaries at the professional level A: The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) does not determine salaries. Your registration will give you a bargaining lever to use when negotiating salary or salary issues. The Department of Social Development at National level is clear that, salaries across the professions should be connected to, and the same for persons holding equal qualifications. 5. January is a difficult month for me financially, when is the latest I can pay the annual fee without penalty? A: Annual fee is payable on or before the 31 st March every year. After which, your name will be removed/deregistered. To then be re-instated or restored, will cost you a penalty, your annual fee and a restoration fee. 6. If I don t have a qualification in Child and Youth Care Work- can I still register as a child and youth care worker? A: Yes-provided that your are employed at the date of the regulations being promulgated (signed into law)by the Minister and provided that your job description in in fact that of a child and youth care worker. This type of registration is valid only for three years, after which time you will be required to have a qualification. 7. I am a qualified Social Auxiliary Worker registered with the SACSSP but practice as a child and youth care worker. Am I allowed to switch registration or hold both? A: Your qualification as a Social Auxiliary Worker is not recognised as a qualification in Child and Youth Care Work. You would only then, be allowed to registered if your job description fits that of a child and youth care worker. You can hold dual registration. pg. 2
8. I can only register as a child and youth care worker at the auxiliary level, but I am employed as a supervisor- will I lose my job? A: No.There is nothing in the present application of the regulations that link your registration to your job, however sets out what should be practiced at the different levels. You are advised to get a qualifications at level 6 and above. 9. What will be the reporting structures if seniors are at auxiliary level and juniors at professional level? A: As the situation presently stands, the experience and on the job learning for a child and youth care worker in a senior position, and the position they hold, is upheld. A person with a higher level of registration will answer to them. In time it is expected that this will change as new appointments will surely be considered on the strength of your qualification and level of registration. 10. What does practical mean? A: It means direct work in child and youth care, work with children and /or young people in the life space, either in an institution, in the community or in any other setting where child and youth care workers are employed. 11. Can you please explains hours? A: Hours means hours of training. It could be for example in house training, workshops, short courses in Child and Youth Care Work, Child and Youth Care conferences, relevant experience etc. 12. Where can I get a qualification quickly? A: The quickest way could be to apply to a recognised service provider for Recognition of (your) Prior Learning (RPL). The FETC Child and Youth Care qualifies you at the auxiliary level and is easily obtainable in the three year cut -off pg. 3
of period. To get a qualification at level 8 takes four (4) years full time study. 13. I see there are different combinations of qualifications and years of experience needed for registration can you explain these in a way that will help me understand? A: At the auxiliary level you need: 13.1 An FETC CYC at level 4 or 13.21650 hours of theoretical and practical learning in Child and Youth Care Work. If you must provide evidence of this you will then in addition need to complete a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) that will convince the Council that you can operate as if you had a qualification at level 4. 13.3 You are employed with a job description of a child and youth care worker, but you are allowed this for only three (3) years after the regulations are made Law. A: At the professional level you need: 13.4 A level 8 qualification in Child and Youth Care Work 13.5 A level 7 qualification e.g the B.Tech at level 7. But then you must have twelve (12) months theoretical and practical learning in CYCW. And complete a PoE to show that you can practice at level 8. 13.6 A level 6 qualification, twenty-four (24) months theoretical and practical learning in CYCW AND a PoE to convince Council that you can operate at level 8. pg. 4
14. If I register as a child and youth care worker at auxiliary level, on the strength of my present job description only, what happens to my registration after three years? A: after three years, you will have to have a qualification. You are advised to undertake study course in the field of Child and Youth Care Work. 15. What is a PoE? A: it is a file of evidence that your can operate and have theoretical understanding at either level 4 or level 8. It is assessed by as assessor for the purposes of registration only. It is not a qualification. 16. What should my PoE look like? A: The PoE at level 4 is a written assignment, that you will complete according to the questions set for you. You may submit other evidence with supporting documents or media. The PoE at level 8 asks that you prove in writing and or in the best way you can, with supporting documents or media that you understand and can practise at level 8. 17. How much time will I have in which to complete and submit my PoE? A: No time limit has been set for the submission of a PoE. 18. What do I do if my PoE is unsuccessful? A: You will have an opportunity to re-submit for the second time, but should your second submission be unsuccessful, you will be advised on the course to follow. 19. If I improve my qualification what must I do to change from a child and youth care worker at the Auxiliary level to a child and youth care worker at professional level? A: You submit the required evidence of your improved qualification for registration pg. 5
at the professional level. However, the fee will change to that at professional level. 20. Why is a code of ethics and code of conduct attached to the regulations -What does this mean for me? A: It means that your practice must adhere to this requirement in terms of the law and will be required to sign a declaration into these legal requirements. 21. If I don t understand how the code of ethics effect how I practice as a child and youth care worker, where will I be able to get help? A: a series of workshops are planned to guide and provide with understanding. Also there is a guide to ethical policy that is being processed 22. Does the Code of ethics apply to my work place practise and behaviour only? A: a code of ethical behaviour is designed to be operational to all professionals at all times. 23. What happens if I do act unethically? A: There is a procedure that has to be followed by Council. You are advised to study Government Notice R917 in Government Gazette NO 25109 on 27 th June 2003. And / Contact the Professional Conduct division at the SACSSP whereby process and procedure will be explained to you. 24. Will I get a bursary if I am willing to further my studies? A: If you are employed in an Isibindi project, the Department of Social Development provides a learner ship which pays for your training. The present situation for pg. 6
Social Workers gives bursaries for university study. This does not apply yet to child and youth care workers. But universities have bursaries available and you should apply directly to the university to see if you qualify to have a bursary awarded to you. pg. 7