Every social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care workers and auxiliary child and youth care workers are required in terms of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 and the Regulations thereto to be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a pre-requisite to practice his or her profession.
- Legal requirement to register
Every social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care workers (professional category of registration) and child and youth care workers (auxiliary category of registration) are required in terms of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 and the Regulations thereto to be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a pre-requisite to practice his or her profession.
A social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care workers (professional category of registration) and child and youth care workers (auxiliary category of registration) who is not registered with the SACSSP is not allowed to practice and if he or she does practice without being registered, he or she is guilty of an offence in terms of section 16 of the Act
Students in social work, social auxiliary work,child and youth care work and auxiliary child and youth care work are also required in terms of the Act to be registered with the SACSSP.
- Licence to Practice
Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and the annual renewal of such registration as a legal requirement is a social service professional license to practice his or her profession with pride and confidence. Being registered does not only mean that a social service professional is practicing legally, but also ensures that:
he or she is immediately associated with the qualifications and competencies associated with the profession that you are registered for.
he or she is recognised by your peers within the social services professions as well as other professions that you meet the minimum requirements associated with your profession.
he or she is respected in multiple multi-disciplinary teams for your profession as well as your obligation to legally adhere to a code of ethics.
he or she is sanctioned to execute certain unique tasks that are only associated with the profession you are registered for.
he or she is empowered by various laws to execute statutory tasks that are solely associated with the profession that you are registered for.
he or she is allowed to use the title exclusively reserved and associated with the profession that he or she registered for, e.g. social worker or child and youth care worker. Persons who are not registered with the SACSSP may not use these reserved titles and if they use them without being registered, they break the law and may be subject to criminal sanctions.
employers know that he or she meets the requirements expected from his or her profession and are assured that he or she has the qualifications and ability to practice the profession.
employers know that he or she is subjected to continuous professional development (CPD) that increases their confidence that he or she will be up to date with the developments in his or her professional field.
the public (including clients) knows that he or she isqualified to execute the responsibilities associated with the profession with confidence and in adherence to the ethics associated with the profession.
the public is protected against unethical practices and unprofessional or improper conduct.
prestige, status, integrity and dignity of your profession and the associated professionalism are protected and promoted through strict adherence to standards for the ethical and professional conduct and the consequences imposed by law through the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 for unprofessional or improper conduct.
the international recognition for the social service profession that he or she registered for as a result of the recognition of SACSSP and its standards internationally.
In short, being registered gives the professional credibility and lends credence to the profession.
Source: SACSSP Newsletter 2017: Licence to practice: The purpose and value of professional registrations
- Steps for registration
The SACSSP has established an Online Registration System that is accessible through the SACSSP website and the SACSSP Mobile App.
Social service professionals who have updated their particulars on the Google Form or Microsoft Form and have been verified and found to be in good standing profiles will be imported into the new online system.
It is important that the correct procedures be followed to register with the SACSSP.
The steps to follow when creating your profile or registering on the online system are available on the SACSSP User Guide Manual link
Social Work
The requirements for the registration of social workers, social auxiliary workers, student social workers, student social auxiliary workers and for the specialities in social work are set below. Applicants are advised to have all the required documents ready before initiating the online application.
- Requirements and Criteria
The requirements for the registration of social workers, social auxiliary workers, student social workers and student social auxiliary workers are set out in the Regulations (indicated below), made in terms of section 28 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. Please study applicable Regulations carefully before you proceed with registration or restoration. Click on the underlined text to download the Regulations.
Regulations regarding the registration of social workers (Government Notice No. R. 101 published in Government Gazette No. 34020 of 18 February 2011)
Regulations regarding the registration of student social workers and the holding of disciplinary inquiries (Government Notice No. R. 102 published in Government Gazette No. 34020 of 18 February 2011)
Regulations regarding the registration of social auxiliary workers and the holding of disciplinary inquiries (Government Notice No. R. 103 published in Government Gazette No. 34020 of 18 February 2011)
See Specialities for the Regulations pertaining to the registration of a speciality in social work.
DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
Social workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of academic record of qualifications obtained;
Certified copy of the qualification in social work on the basis of which application is being made (BSW); and
Proof of payment (prescribed fees)
Social auxiliary workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of academic record of qualification obtained/ statement of results (FET);
Certified copy of the qualification in social auxiliary work on the basis of which application is being made; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Students social workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of documentary proof of registration (proof of enrolment) for education and training in social work with a training institution;
Proof (certified copy) of subjects enrolled for and passed on the date of application; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Student social auxiliary workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of documentary proof that you are registered with an accredited training institution or training provider for education and training in social auxiliary work;
Written confirmation (letter) that you will be supervised by a registered social worker with at least two years’ experience in social work for the duration of your studies in social auxiliary work; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Specialities in Social Work
See Specialities for the Regulations pertaining to the registration of a speciality in social work.
Also see Register to Practice
- Application for Registration
The online application form needs to be completed by a person registering for the first time as a:
social worker (including a newly qualified social worker) with a qualification obtained in South Africa
social auxiliary worker (including a newly qualified social auxiliary worker) with a qualification obtained in South Africa
student social worker enrolled for a qualification in South Africa
student social auxiliary worker enrolled for a qualification in South Africa
Please note you are requested to pay a non-refundable registration fee of R262, upon approval of you application.
The validity of this registration is subject to payment of the prescribed annual fees for the current financial year, which ends on 31 March.
Please click on the applicable link below to register:
Social work
SOCIAL WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED IN RSA
SOCIAL WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OUTSIDE RSA (SADC COUNTRIES)
SOCIAL WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OUTSIDE RSA & SADC COUNTRIES
STUDENT SOCIAL WORK APPLICATION
Social Auxiliary Work
SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED IN RSA
SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORK WITH QUALIFICATION OBTAINED OUTSIDE THE REPUBLIC (SADC COUNTRIES)
SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORK APPLICATION WITH QUALIFICATION OBTAINED OUTSIDE RSA & SADC COUNTRIES
STUDENT SOCIAL AUXILIARY WORK APPLICATION
Exemption from Annual Fees
Please see Exemptions with regards to persons who qualify to be exempted from the payment of annual fees in accordance with the Regulations.
Child and Youth Care Work
The requirements for the registration of child and youth care workers, auxiliary child and youth care workers, student child and youth care workers, student auxiliary child and youth care workers are set below. Applicants are advised to have all the required documents ready before initiating the online application.
- Requirements and criteria
The requirements for the registration of as a child and youth care worker, auxiliary child and youth care worker, student child and youth care worker, student auxiliary child and youth care worker are set out in the Regulations for child and youth care workers, auxiliary child and youth care workers and student child and youth care workers (Government Notice No. 838 published in Government Gazette No. 38135 of 31 October 2014), made in terms of section 28 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. Please study the Regulations carefully before you proceed with registration or restoration. Click on the underlined text to download the Regulations.
DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION
The following documents must accompany the application to be registered:
Child and youth care workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of academic record of qualifications obtained;
Certified copy of the qualification in child and youth care work on the basis of which application is being made; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Auxiliary child and youth care workers
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of academic record of qualification obtained/ statement of results (FET);
Certified copy of the qualification in auxiliary child and youth care work on the basis of which application is being made; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Student child and youth care worker
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of documentary proof of registration (proof of enrolment) for education and training in child and youth care work with a training institution;
Proof (certified copy) of subjects enrolled for and passed on the date of application; and
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Student auxiliary child and youth care worker
Certified copy of Identity Document (ID);
Certified copy of marriage certificate/divorce decree (if applicable);
Certified copy of documentary proof of the highest school grade you have passed (e.g. grade 12/ matric certificate);
Certified copy of documentary proof that you are registered with an accredited training institution or training provider for education and training in auxiliary child and youth care work;
Written confirmation (letter) that you will be supervised by a registered child and youth care worker for the duration of your studies in auxiliary child and youth care work;
Proof of payment (prescribed fee)
Also see Register to Practice
- Application for Registration
The online application form needs to be completed by a person registering for the first time as a:
child and youth care worker (including a newly qualified child and youth care worker) with a qualification obtained in South Africa
auxiliary child and youth care worker (including a newly qualified auxiliary child and youth care worker) with a qualification obtained in South Africa
student child and youth care worker enrolled for a qualification in South Africa
student auxiliary child and youth care worker enrolled for a qualification in South Africa
Please note you are requested to pay a non-refundable registration fee of R262, upon approval of you application.
The validity of this registration is subject to payment of the prescribed annual fees for the current financial year, which ends on 31 March.
Please click on the applicable link below to register:
Child & Youth Care Work
CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED IN RSA
CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED OUTSIDE RSA, (SADC COUNTRIES)
CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKER APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED OUTSIDE RSA, & SADC COUNTRIES
STUDENTS IN CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORK
Auxiliary Child & Youth Care Work
AUXILIARY CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED IN RSA
AUXILIARY CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORK APPLICATION WITH A QUALIFICATION OBTAINED OUTSIDE RSA, & SADC
STUDENT AUXILIARY CHILD & YOUTH CARE WORK
Exemption from Annual Fees
Please see Exemptions with regards to persons who qualify to be exempted from the payment of annual fees in accordance with the Regulations.
Registers
The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) is required in terms of section 19 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 to keep separate registers in respect to the following social service professionals in a prescribed manner (in the respective Regulations).
- Registers Available
The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) is required in terms of section 19 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 to keep separate registers in respect to the following social service professionals in a prescribed manner (in the respective Regulations):
social workers
social auxiliary workers
student social workers
student social auxiliary workers
child and youth care workers
auxiliary Child and youth care workers
student child and youth care workers
Student auxiliary child and youth care workers
Every social service professional in the categories indicated above is recorded in the specific Register when he or she registers or when his or her name is restored to a Register. When a person’s name appears in a Register it confirms that he or she is in good standing and meets the minimum requirements as prescribed to practice his or her profession.
Certain information on these Registers is accessible to the public to enable members of the public or any other party, for example, employers, to verify whether a person is registered. This also helps to protect the public against false representation and safeguards the integrity of the professions registered with the SACSSP. See Search the Registers.
- Search the Registers
For the Public
Members of the public have access to the Registers kept by the SACSSP for social service professionals in terms of section 19 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 and the applicable Regulations.
Click here to go to the Registers and type any of the following information to start the search:
SACSSP registration number
First name
Surname
You can also send an email enquiry or phone the SACSSP’s offices to enquire whether a person is registered. See Enquiries.
Also, see Find a Professional.
For registered social service professionals
Registered social service professionals may LOGIN and update certain parts of their details on a Register. Following the procedures as indicated after logging in.
Also, see Change of Particulars.
- Removal from a Register
Voluntary removal
A social service professional registered with the SACSSP and who decided not to continue practicing the profession that he or she is registered for may in terms of section 20(1)(b) of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 request in writing that his or her name be removed from the Register. Upon removal of his or her name from the Register, whereafter he or she is not allowed to continue practicing or provide professional supervision or subject-related training related to the profession he or she was registered for.
If he or she wishes to re-enter his or her profession, he or she needs to apply to be restored to the Register in terms of section 20(3) of the Act (see Restoration).
Removal as a penalty
A social service professional registered with the SACSSP who was found guilty of unprofessional or improper conduct in terms of section 22(1) of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978 by Council and upon the whom a penalty of cancelation of registration was imposed in terms of section 22(1)(c), name will be removed from the Register.
A person whose registration was cancelled in terms of section 22(1)(c) of the Act may apply to be re-registered in terms of section 22(4) of the Act, subject to the conditions as imposed by Council.
Removal due to non-compliance
A social service professional registered with the SACSSP name will be removed from the Register if:
he or she fails to pay his or her annual fees by the due date in terms of section 20(1)(d) of the Act; and/or
he or she fails to update his or her contact details and related particulars as prescribed in terms of section 20(1)(e) of the Act.
In such cases, a social service professional whose name is removed from the Register is not allowed to continue practicing his or her profession until he or she has rectified the reason for removal, paid the required penalties and receives confirmation from the SACSSP that his or her name has been restored to the Register in terms of section 20(3) of the Act (see ).
Removal due to other reasons
A social service professional registered with the SACSSP name will be removed from the Register:
in terms of section 20(1)(a) if he or she has died. It is important to inform the SACSSP of the necessary proof in this regard
in terms of section 20(1)(f) if he or she is detained as a mentally ill person under the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002
in terms of section 20(1)(g) if he or she obtained his or her registration fraudulently
in terms of section 20(1)(h) if he or she has been registered in error
Registration certificates
Registration certificates provide proof that a person is registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care workers, auxiliary child and youth care worker, student social worker, student social auxiliary worker, student child and youth care worker or student auxiliary child and youth care worker and that his or her name has been entered into the Register for that profession kept in terms of section 19 of the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. The validity of a Registration Certificate and the name of the person to be kept on the Register are subject to the timely payment of annual fees by 01 January each year as prescribed (see Annual Renewal).
A social service professional registered with the SACSSP is required to display his or her Registration Certificate in his or her office or place where he or she practices the profession he or she is registered for. Persons who are registered for any speciality should also display the Registration Certificate for the speciality.
STEPS ON HOW TO ACCESS YOUR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Practice Cards
The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) issues annually, upon payment of the prescribed annual fees, a practice card to each social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care workers, and auxiliary child and youth care worker together with the receipt of payment, that indicates that he or she is registered with the SACSSP as prescribed by the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. The registration card provides details on the name of the person, registration number, professional status and period registered (year for which annual fee was paid).
If a practice card is not received it may be due to the fact that a person’s contact details are not up to date. Always make sure that your contact details with the SACSSP are up to date. See Change of Particulars.
Advice: The earlier annual fees are paid, the better. Too often social service professionals wait until the last few days before the deadline (01 January annually), which causes a bottleneck and delays for the office to issue thousands of receipts.