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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Victim Empowerment 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49688  National Certificate: Victim Empowerment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Victim Empowerment 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
HW SETA - Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  127  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

This Qualification follows on from the registered National Certificate: Victim Empowerment and Support, at NQF level 2 (SAQA ID 49279), and is the second within the Victim Empowerment career pathway. The qualifying learner will apply an in-depth understanding of the Victim Empowerment Sector specifically with regard to implementing early interventions that focus on individuals, groups and communities. The learner is required to work under supervision of a registered mental health professional. The acquisition of the related skills in the field of Human and Social Studies will increase the pool of competent human resources for the sector. The core knowledge, skills and attitudes of this Qualification for the Victim Empowerment workplace is intended to achieve both social and economic benefits for the learner.

The learner assessed as competent against this Qualification will be able to:
  • Communicate in a variety of ways to provide early intervention services in Victim Empowerment Organisations.
  • Use mathematics and mathematical thinking to solve every day problems for him/herself, organisations and victims in the community.
  • Use interpersonal skills to support victims.
  • Use Victim Empowerment knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide early interventions to all categories of victims.
  • Provide early intervention and support for particular categories of victims.
  • Understand community development interventions and preventative strategies in dealing with victims.
  • Use generic workplace knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver early interventions in Victim Empowerment under supervision.

    Rationale:

    Crime affects everyone. Victims of crime and violence suffer emotionally, physically, and financially and require medical attention, legal assistance and mental health care services to cope with the consequences of victimisation, and participate effectively in the Criminal Justice process. However, only a fraction of the people requiring these services actually receives the relevant assistance at any time. There are many reasons for this, such as a limited number of mental health professionals, the lack of mental health services - particularly in rural areas, the inaccessibility of the Criminal Justice System, and the fact that victims/survivors suffer secondary victimisation at the hands of service providers.

    In response to the need for accessible mental health services, especially in poor and traditionally under resourced communities, South Africa has in the past 10-15 years seen an explosion of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) providing counselling and other support services to victims of crime and violence, trauma, HIV/AIDS, mental health, adjustment problems, early childhood development etc. The majority of these services are provided by volunteers and lay counsellors working under the auspices of NGOs and/or mental health professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, while others are provided by Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and CBOs. These organisations have evolved essentially within a needs driven context, rather than a theoretical one.

    This qualification will address the need for accessible services to victims of crime and violence and other forms of victimisation. It will equip existing and potential service providers in Government, NGOs, CBOs and FBOs with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills to deliver a more effective and efficient service to address the needs and rights of victims, as highlighted in the South African Victims Charter and other policies and legislation.

    The underlying philosophy that is applied is a Public Health and Social Justice approach, which considers crime to be a complex social, rather than legal, problem. It emphasises the need for community development, advocacy, prevention and early interventions, multi-agency and multidisciplinary co-operation and acknowledges the resourcefulness and resilience of individuals and communities, rather than focusing exclusively on pathology. It also subscribes to the principles of restorative philosophy and practices.

    The National Certificate: Victim Empowerment will enable individuals to gain formal recognition for their knowledge and skills, and enable them to gain access to the field of victim empowerment, and related sectors such as community development, ancillary health care, auxiliary social work etc.

    Ultimately, this qualification will benefit victims of crime, violence, and human rights abuses by empowering them in order to participate effectively in the Criminal Justice process, overcome the consequences of victimisation, break the cycle of violence and participate optimally in society.

    This qualification will also give insight into the goals and objectives of working with the perpetrators as an effective strategy of breaking the cycle of violence. It introduces the learner to current programmes for perpetrators in South Africa. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It would be desirable for learners wishing to access this Qualification to be competent at:
  • Language and Communication at NQF level 2
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF level 2

    Recognition of prior learning:

    This Qualification and all the Fundamental, Core and Elective Unit Standards associated with it, as described in the rules of combination, can be achieved by any learner through the recognition of prior learning, which includes Outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The Exit-Level Outcomes and the related Unit Standards may also be achieved through the Recognition of Prior Learning. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualifying learner will achieve this Qualification by complying with the following rules of combination for the accumulation of credits:
  • All Fundamental Unit Standards - 36 Credits.
  • All Core Unit Standards - 77 Credits.
  • Elective Unit Standards - 14 of 28 Credits.
  • Total Credits - 127 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate in a variety of ways to provide early intervention services in a Victim Empowerment organisation.

    2. Use mathematics and mathematical thinking to solve every day problems for him/herself, the organisations and victims in the community.

    3. Use interpersonal skills to support victims.

    4. Use Victim Empowerment knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide early interventions to all categories of victims.

    5. Provide early intervention and support for particular categories of victims.

    6. Understand community development interventions and preventative strategies in dealing with victims.

    7. Use generic workplace knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver early intervention in Victim Empowerment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1:
  • Oral communication is maintained and adapted to meet victims' needs and expectations.
  • Texts are interpreted and responded to in writing using a range of contexts in Victim Empowerment.
  • Language and communication is used to interpret and respond to texts in occupational learning programmes.

    2:
  • Statistics, probability and probability models are used to solve a range of contextual problems.
  • Mathematical number systems, shape, and motion analysis are used to solve a range of life related problems.
  • Mathematics is used to understand the financial aspects of personal and community life.

    3:
  • Knowledge of oneself and one's role in a diverse South African community is applied, with appropriate strategies, to make life and workplace decisions.
  • Problem-solving processes and techniques, as well as active listening skills, are applied in a caring and supportive manner and environment to support victims.
  • Knowledge of stress and stressors is applied to manage stress in the provision of early Victim Empowerment intervention and support.

    4:
  • Public education, community awareness and knowledge of STI's and HIV/AIDS is increased and support is provided for affected individuals and groups.
  • Reactions arising from a traumatic event are managed by applying appropriate support strategies.
  • Volunteer activities are co-ordinated to achieve goals and objectives of early interventions in Victim Empowerment from a public health perspective.

    5:
  • Early intervention and support is provided to victims of crime, violence, human rights abuses, domestic violence, and sexual offences as practiced in the Victim Empowerment sector.
  • Early intervention and support is provided for children and youth victims of abuse and neglect.
  • Early intervention and support is provided for marginalised, "at risk" and vulnerable individuals and groups.

    6:
  • Restorative Justice practices are promoted using appropriate methodologies and interventions in different contexts.
  • The support services and appropriate referrals available to victims within the Criminal Justice system are identified and applied based on the need.
  • The development and implementation of public awareness and advocacy campaigns is undertaken in South African communities.

    7:
  • A plan to enhance team performance is developed which enables learners to be coached and the necessary records maintained in order to enhance overall work performance.
  • Basic research is conducted and assistance provided to achieve the identified project plan.
  • A computer workstation is efficiently operated to achieve workplace objectives and targets.

    Integrated assessment:

    Integrated assessment at the level of the Qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across Unit Standards to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the Qualification. Integrated assessment should show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the exit level outcomes.

    Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will demand practical evidence while others may be more theoretical, depending on the type of outcomes to be assessed. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the demands of the particular exit level outcome of the Qualification.

    While the generic component (Communication, Mathematical Literacy, Victim Empowerment workplace skills) of this Qualification at NQF Level 3 can be assessed through occupational contexts and activities relating to Victim Empowerment, care must be taken in both the learning programme and the assessment to ensure that these foundational skills are portable. The primary aim of this Qualification is to ensure that learners have a sound base of general education to prepare them for further learning, whatever career path they may choose. Learners must be able to transfer generic skills across a number of different contexts, and apply them within a number of learning areas.

    A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This National Certificate: Victim Empowerment (Early Interventions) at NQF level 3, although for a South African context, has been compared with Qualifications from these countries:
  • Australia.
  • New Zealand.
  • United Kingdom.

    While there are instances of NGOs providing Victim Empowerment services on the African Continent, there is no evidence of a Qualification being offered in any country.

    The Qualification that compares most directly is a National Vocational Certificate in the United Kingdom. This Qualification is compared in terms of the Outcomes and Assessment Criteria, degree of difficulty, and notional learning time with:
  • Level 3 NVQ in Community Justice: Work with Victims, Survivors and Witnesses.

    The following learning unit titles indicate that the outcomes of this Qualification compare closely:
  • Evaluate and process referrals to provide services to Victims, Survivors and Witnesses.
  • Enable people to support Victims, Survivors and Witnesses.
  • Contribute to developing awareness and community action in relation to crime.
  • Provide and obtain information at courts and formal hearings.
  • Contribute to the protection of individuals and children from abuse.

    Based on research it can be confirmed that there are no registered qualifications in Victim Empowerment (VE) at NQF levels 2-4 in Africa/SADC countries. Even at higher levels there appear to be no formal qualifications, although VE related issues such as gender violence, child abuse and refugee issues appear to be included in criminology, law and social work qualifications.

    Training which is provided is limited to Criminal Justice officials such as police, prosecutors, health care and social workers. These programmes usually focus only on the provision of counselling and medico-legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual offences and child abuse.

    The South African Government is in process of fostering relations with other Criminal Justice agencies to enhance co-operation in the SADC region. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for example received international donor funding to train SA Criminal Justice personnel in domestic violence, on condition that 5 prosecutors from SADC countries could participate in the training.

    Vista University also conducted a series of 5-day workshops for prosecutors, police officials, health care and social workers as part of a partnership to expand the concept of specialised Sexual Offences Courts in the SADC region.

    The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) also have a Regional Office based in Kenya which co-ordinates the provision of training and promotes good practice within the medical, legal, teaching, police and social work provisions, in their contacts with children. In addition the focus is also on building capacity at the level of service providers and communities so that they can themselves address issues of child abuse and neglect. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The possibility exists for vertical articulation with this Qualification. Examples of vertical articulation:
  • FET Certificate: Social Auxiliary Work (SAQA ID: 23993)
  • FET Certificate: Community Health Work (SAQA ID: 49131)

    An example of horizontal articulation with this Qualification:
  • National Certificate: Community Health Work at NQF level 3 (SAQA ID: 49128) 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal Moderation of assessment.
  • Moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in both individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
  • Moderation must also encompass achievement of the competencies described in the exit level outcomes described above. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Qualification in Victim Empowerment or a related qualification in the field of Human and Social Studies at a minimum of NQF level 4. 

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  11813  Apply knowledge of self in order to make a life decision  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Core  116987  Apply active listening skills in the care and support environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114952  Apply problem-solving techniques to make a decision or solve a problem in a real life context  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119731  Assist victims in their interaction with the Criminal Justice System  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119730  Co-ordinate volunteer activities  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114942  Describe how to manage reactions arising from a traumatic event  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114937  Explain and apply ways of contributing towards community development  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114932  Explain how to manage diversity in the workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119724  Give assistance to victims of crime, violence and human rights abuses  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114946  Identify causes of stress and techniques to manage it in the workplace  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119722  Identify intervention services and provide support to children and youth victims of abuse and neglect  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119726  Participate in public education and advocacy campaigns in communities  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119733  Promote community participation in and awareness of Restorative Justice  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119732  Provide support to victims of domestic violence  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119725  Provide support to victims of sexual offences  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  119723  Understand Victim Empowerment from a public health perspective  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Core  114491  Educate and work closely with the community with regard to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Core  119721  Support marginalised, "at risk" and vulnerable individuals and groups and identify appropriate referral services  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  120308  Apply knowledge of self in order to make a personal decision  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  8418  Do basic research  Level 2  NQF Level 02 
    Elective  13912  Apply knowledge of self and team in order to develop a plan to enhance team performance  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  13914  Conduct a formal meeting  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  13916  Identify and keep the records that a team manager is responsible for keeping  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  244584  Investigate ways of contributing towards community development  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  114979  Operate a computer workstation in a business environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  117877  Perform one-to-one training on the job  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  10150  Provide assistance in implementing and assuring project work is conducted in accordance with the project quality plan  Level 3  NQF Level 03 
    Elective  254183  Apply personal development strategies and skills to enhance effective service delivery in child and youth care work  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
    Elective  264260  Facilitate a peer education intervention  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
    Elective  120081  Provide support to child victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation  Level 4  NQF Level 04 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. Malaikas Education & Resourcing Consultants 



    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.