- Council as a statutory body
The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) is first and foremost a statutory body i.e. instituted by law (a “creature of Statute”). The specific Act, or statute, sets the guidelines within which Council and its professional boards can and must function, as determined by Parliament. Council and its Professional Boards derive their authority and the foundation of its policy from the dictates of the Legislator (Parliament). In legal terms, Council is the juristic person established in terms of section 2(1) of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978, with the Professional Boards as the juristic person’s delegates1.
The Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 together with the published Regulations and Rules provides for the statutory foundation for the SACSSP as a body and for its functioning. These determine how Council and its Professional Boards are constituted and elected, what their powers and functions are, and how the aforementioned is administered by its Secretariat. The Act specifically describes Council’s powers and functions concerning the registration of social service professionals as well as disciplinary steps in respect of unprofessional or improper conduct registered persons where necessary1.
The SACSSP is an autonomous body, which means it is independent, free from all other institutions as to ensure that professions are regulated by those who practice the professions themselves and entrusted with this responsibility. Under the provisions of the Act, Council and the Professional Boards are solely responsible for the execution of their statutory mandates and own resolutions and the execution thereof. .
The SACSSP, in conjunction with the Professional Board for Social Work and the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care Work, derives its regulatory mandate from the provisions of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 that confers upon it the powers and functions to regulate the social service professions of social work and child and youth care work, at a professional and auxiliary level, in the country in aspects pertaining to registration (entry to the professions); education and training (qualifications); professional conduct and ethical behaviour; ensuring continuing professional development; and fostering compliance with professional standards.
To safeguard the public and the integrity of the professions, registration with the SACSSP in terms of the Act is a prerequisite before practicing social work and child and youth care work. No person may use the title of social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker, and/or auxiliary child and youth care workers or practice as such, without being registered with the SACSSP.
The Act clearly defines the purpose (objects) and powers of Council under sections 3 and 4 and the purpose (objects) and powers of the Professional Boards under sections 14B and 14C, which confer the authority over all matters related the regulation of professions falling under its auspices (self-regulation of the professions, without undue interference by persons outside of the professions) as a statutory body.
1South African Council for Social Service Professions. 2001: Social Service Professions Act, 1978, Regulations and Rules: Manual. Pretoria: SACSSP. (with adaptions where necessary)
- Corporate Governance
The SACSSP executes its mandate as contemplated in the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 through four functional components, namely, (1) Council, (2) Professional Boards, (3) Committees of Council and (4) the Secretariat. Council also adopted the ‘King Report on Governance for South Africa’, and the ‘King Code of Governance Principles’ to guide its conduct and governance.
- Council’s Strategic Plan for its term (Five Years)
The 5thCouncil and its Professional Boards agreed that the following vision, mission, values and value proposition will guide it over the next five years.
VISION
Social service excellence.
MISSION
To regulate the Social Service Professions in the best interest of the South African society.
VALUES
Ethical
Humane
Transformative
Inclusive
Service Excellence
Assertive
VALUE PROPOSITION
Our regulatory services help registrants providing social services by avoiding unprofessional conduct
and enhancing the image of their profession, unlike any other.Download the SACSSP Strategic Plan 2023 to 2028
- Office of Council
The SACSSP’s office is located at 37 Annie Botha Ave, Riviera, Pretoria, South Africa. This is where the SACSSP’s Secretariat is based which is responsible for the administration of its regulatory responsibilities under the leadership of the Registrar.
See management and staff.
- SAQA - Professional Body Recognition and Professional Designation Registration
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is responsible for the evaluation and processing of applications for recognition of professional bodies and registration of professional designations for the purposes of the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008. The SACSSP, in addition to the statutory powers that it is endowed with in terms of Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978, is also recognised by SAQA in terms of section 29 of the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008 as a statutory body (recognition number: 982) of expert practitioners in the occupational fields of social work and child and youth care work.
The following professional designations are currently registered with SAQA under the ambit of the SACSSP:
In terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 of 2008, the SACSSP must comply with the provisions of this Act, which include:
Co-operate with the relevant Quality Council
Maintain the agreed level of qualifications and quality assurance of professional designations registered
maintain a database for the purposes of the said Act
For more information visit SAQA’s website at www.saqa.org.za