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

Facilitate a group counselling process 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117849  Facilitate a group counselling process 
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  8 
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 
This Unit Standard is intended to meet the needs of learners who interact with groups in a counselling context where clients are enabled to go through the process of finding solutions to their concerns or difficulties. This Unit Standard is intended for learners who counsel people in a variety of situations, but who are not registered professionals such as qualified psychologist and social workers. 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 facilities. It should develop learners who know their scope of practice, behave ethically in a counselling context, conform to minimum standards and know when to refer a client.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Describing the elements of successful group counselling.
  • Explaining a group counselling process.
  • Applying a group counselling process to a counselling interaction in a selected context.
  • Reflecting on the group counselling interactions. 
    		•

    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 learners, who work under the supervision of a suitably qualified person and applies to interpersonal interaction of groups:
  • Conclude refers to the ending of a particular session when it is one in a series of sessions.
  • Terminate refers to ending the overall process whether it consists of one session or several sessions.
  • 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 
    Describe the elements of successful group counselling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Theoretical constructs of group counselling are investigated and identified in practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Theoretical constructs of group counselling include, but are not limited to, dynamics, process, group phases, resistance, obstruction, group composition, circular questioning, models and conflict management.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Commonalities and differences in approach are explained with reference to problems and issues relating to specific groups. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The impact of the group counsellor's knowledge, values, attitudes and skills is explained with reference to the outcome of the group counselling intervention. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain a group counselling process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A group counselling process is explained with reference to planning and preparation, facilitation, management and conclusion. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Planning includes, but is not limited to, purpose, logistics; group selection and composition where applicable, and selection of appropriate intervention.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Techniques for co-facilitation are investigated for different situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The role, expectations and responsibilities of each participant, including the group counsellor, are explained with reference to a specific group and the purpose of the intervention. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply a group counselling process to a counselling interaction in a selected context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A group is selected with due regard for functioning and purpose and an indication is given of the consequences if group selection is inappropriate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A group counselling process is facilitated in accordance with accepted practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Accepted practice includes, but is not limited to, initiating in an accepting and culturally appropriate manner, negotiation the purpose and process, establishing norms and values, facilitation that encourages the expression and valuing of the viewpoints of each participant, participation of participants and between participants in the interaction, taking responsibility for the process, managing the interaction in line with the agreed purpose and process and in an ethically and culturally appropriate manner and concluding or terminating the group interaction with due regard for agreed timeframes, or achievement of goals, achieving emotional containment of each participant and constructively managing people who are obstructive or resistant.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques for co-facilitation are demonstrated and an indication is given of the benefits of co-facilitation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Referrals are arranged based on the outcomes of the intervention. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Reflect on a group counselling interactions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process and outcomes of a group counselling session are analysed and discussed in terms of process dynamics in order to improve future practice. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reflections on the group/support counselling interaction include, but are not limited to, perceived strengths and weaknesses in terms of their impact on the interaction and perceived strengths and weaknesses.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Reports and recommendations are compiled and processed based on the outcomes of the interaction and in accordance with ethical guidelines. 


    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 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 in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made in facilitating a group counselling interaction. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community in that group counselling session require learners to work with groups. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in applying a group counselling process, making recommendations and/or referrals and writing reports. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information in investigating theories of group counselling and reflecting on the outcomes of a group counselling session. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in facilitating a counselling session and producing the required reports. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in understanding the impact of a group counsellor's knowledge, values, attitudes and skills on group counselling interventions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
  • The learner is able to reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively in reflecting on a group counselling interaction.
  • The learner is able to be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts in managing a group counselling in an ethically and culturally appropriate manner. 
    		•

    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
    Core  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  71709   National Certificate: Auxiliary Nursing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.