Frequently Asked Questions
CEFA IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY PROVIDER IN SOUTH AFRICA TO OFFER DISTANCE LEARNING: SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORK
At CEFA we understand that not everybody has the opportunity to study full time. Most people cannot afford to leave their jobs or be away from family responsibilities. The good news is that CEFA provides you with the opportunity to do your Social Auxiliary Work training from your own home or in your workplace. How will this be possible? Here are the answers to the questions most frequently asked:
Registration of learners is subject to the following:
- Proof of at least a Grade 10 or other valid School Leaving Certificate together with the applicant's Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- An application form which is signed and completed in the learner's own handwriting.
- I Identification of a qualified Social Worker who will be able to function as mentor for the duration of the two year training programme, together with a copy of their CV. Proof of the Social Worker's registration at the SA Council for Social Service Professions.
- Proof that the Social Worker's registration has been paid for the current year.
- A letter of consent stating the Social Worker's availability and willingness to function as mentor and thus embark on this process with the learner, together with a written consent from the Social Worker's employer. A "Responsibilities of a Mentor" document will be provided after finalisation of registration.
- Only when all the requirements are met will CEFA be able to approve the learner’s registration in the workplace learning programme.
- A minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years is required to successfully complete the programme.
- Certain prerequisites are applicable for the registration of modules. The modules build on each other and must be registered for in sequence (e.g. Modules 1, 2, 3 ... etc.)
CEFA is an accredited Training Provider of the HWSETA. All our training programmes are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority.
There are different closing dates for applications during each year, depending on demand. For regular updates make sure to watch our website or contact one of our CEFA offices.
Further Education and Training (FET) Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work on NQF Level 4.
What modules does the training programme consist of?
| MODULE NUMBER | MODULE NAME | CREDITS PER MODULE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The South African Social Welfare Context | 11 |
| 2 | Human Behaviour and Problems | 34 |
| 3 | Judicial System | 8 |
| 4 | Communication | 40 |
| 5 | Research | 19 |
| 6 | Report Writing | 4 |
| 7 | Intervention Strategies | 53 |
| 8 | Project Management | 3 |
| 9 | Community Development | 8 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 180 |
Please see modular matrix for a brief description of each module.
All our training programmes and learning material are presented in English.
Yes, if you qualify. Each application will be evaluated individually.
The South African Council for Social Service Professions provides a guideline in this regard or you can ask us for an example.
Make sure to read this question together with question 24.
- An application form can be obtained from our offices or our website.
- Payments can be made electronically and / or by bank deposit. Proof of payment must be submitted. You can either e-mail it to daleen@cefa.co.za or post it to Ms Daleen Otto, P.O. Box 173, WELLINGTON, 7654. Please note that no faxes will be accepted.
SEE this checklist to ensure that all the necessary documents ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION BY MAIL.
- Completed application form.
- Your own CV. Also indicate what you are currently doing.
- The identification of a Social Worker who will be able to function as your mentor for the duration of the two year training programme.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the identified Social Worker.
- Proof of the Social Worker's registration with the SA Council for Social Service Professions.
- Proof that the Social Worker's registration has been paid up for the current year.
- A letter of consent stating the Social Worker's availability and willingness to function as mentor and thus embark on this process with the learner (this will include the consent from the Social Worker's employer.
- Deposit slip of application fee.
- Three (3) original certified copies of your ID
Three (3) original certified copies of your highest school qualification (either Grade 10 or Grade 12 Certificate)Please note: Three original certified copies means you:
- make 3 copies of the certificate or ID document;
- take the copies together with the original Certificate/ID document to a Commissioner of Oaths (e.g. a police station); and
- he/she then certifies the 3 copies of the ID document.
Please POST the following to CEFA, PO BOX 173, WELLINGTON, 7654:
- CEFA Marketing/frequently asked questions - 4 - Rev 0
- 3 certified copies of the ID document
- 3 certified copies of your highest school qualification as well as;
- all documents as identified in the checklist above
NO FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Everything that you will need for the training will be mailed to you/your employer via Post office mail.
- CEFA has a well established learner support system and the following support systems will be at your disposal: Your mentor will support and guide you and he/she will receive a complete Mentors Guide. Friendly CEFA staff may be contacted telephonically or via e-mail.
- Regular visits by facilitators are scheduled in your vicinity.
- Facilitators will conduct contact sessions at the beginning of each phase at central venues. Your specific town/city will be visited if 20 or more learners are registered for this particular programme.
- Yes - more or less 29 weeks after each contact block session you will write examinations.
- Central examination venues will be identified and registered where exam papers will be written for each module separately.
- Invigilators will be appointed by CEFA and strict examination procedures will be followed.
Yes - every module comprises two assignments.
- 70% of this qualification consists of practical work during which you will learn how to work with individuals, families, groups and communities - under the guidance and control of your mentor.
- This adds up to more or less 16 - 19 hours of practical work at an approved welfare organisation per week.
- You need to provide proof that you are either working as a volunteer or are employed by a welfare organisation.
LEARNERS HAVE TO PASS BOTH THE EXAMINATION AND THE PRACTICAL WORK IN ORDER TO PASS A MODULE.
The payment structure:
Application fee: R120 Payable with application (non-refundable).
Registration fee: R1,720 Payable by date-to-be-confirmed (non-refundable).
Programme Fee: R16,000
If you pay cash: R15,220
Other payment options are available on request and may be obtained from daleen@cefa.co.za
It is compulsory for all student Social Auxiliary Workers to be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). For cost see the answer to the next question
Fees for the first registration are included in the cost paid to CEFA and we shall do the paperwork for you. You will be registered with the Council as a Learner Social Auxiliary Worker for two years or upon receipt of your qualification, whichever comes first. After that you will be responsible to register with the Council as a qualified Social Auxiliary Worker.
- Registration form of the Council
- 1 x Original certified copy of your ID document
- 1 x Original certified copy of your highest/school qualification
Yes you do but CEFA will do that for you (Confirmation to follow after selection)
Your registration form will be included in the registration pack after you have been selected. You are responsible for sending the completed form back to CEFA. Your learner details will be entered on the learner data base.
- Registration form - codes (SME codes) to complete the registration form can be obtained online (link to follow)
- 1 x Original certified copy of your ID document.
- 1 x Original certified copy of your highest/school qualification.
There are two main reasons why this is not an e-learning programme:
- CEFA prides itself on taking mentoring to where our learners live - and we strive to reach persons in both urban and rural areas. It is therefore very important for us to enable learners who do not have access to the internet to participate in this journey to grow and develop.
- The Health and Welfare SETA requires learners to submit original documents in hard copy.
Make sure to refer back to question 10
- Phone us and supply your details, or
- Ask your employer to contact us when you are a big group (preferable 20 or more for better proces)
- Complete and submit the enquiry document on the Contact Us Page of our website
- Obtain an application form complete it and send it to us on or before the date provided. Application dates for 2010 and 2011 will be provided on our website or else be negotiated with your employer.
It is important that learners apply as soon as possible to ensure that all documentation is in place and fees are paid. Once the complete documentation is received by CEFA it is submitted to a selection committee. Selection takes place on a continuous basis and you will be informed soon afterwards - and not later than 4 weeks of your application.
- You will be notified by CEFA as soon as the selection process is completed.
- Your link to access the registration forms will be activated once the selection process is completed.
- A Registration Fee of R1720 must be paid into CEFA's bank Account and proof of payment must be submitted to CEFA.
- The forms for registration at the Professional Board as well as the Learner Information Form must be completed.
- A copy of your deposit slip as well as all the registration forms must be posted to CEFA Registration.
Make sure that the following forms are completed and posted to CEFA:
- Registration form.
- Professional Board Registration Form.
- Learner Information Form + the Code List.
