Community Development Practitioner

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Community Development Practitioner. A Community Development Practitioner acts as a change agent to add value to community development practice by exploring and coordinating networks and partnerships. Conducts community-based research to inform interventions, aligned to relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. Plans, designs and manages community interventions through the application of appropriate leadership and management styles; all of which are done to promote ethical and professional community development practice. A qualified learner will be able to: • Compile and present community profile reports. • Manage community development information and data (Gathering, analysis and storing). • Establish, identify and coordinate community development structures. • Assess the performance of and provide support to community development structures. • Monitor the progress and achievements of community development initiatives. • Mobilise and manage volunteers and support staff.

The aims of community development, as embodied by the South African Presidency's Intergovernmental Relations and Service Delivery (IRSD), includes the need for the development of a seamless and integrated approach to community development that is driven by the national development plan. In order to achieve this there is an enormous task of managing the processes of mobilising people within the diverse communities throughout the nation and ensuring that the mobilisation is adequately focused on the key objectives of the National Development Plan. There is ongoing evidence of community frustrations relating to poor service delivery. It is for this reason that there is a desperate need for ensuring that community development practitioners are focused and that they work together in achieving optimum synergy within the communities. There is currently a shortage of the key and scarce skills required to do this important work. The work is being done by volunteers and public servants who have mainly learnt through trial and error or who have high academic qualifications but lack the hands on practice. The Occupational Certificate: Community Worker (Community Development Practitioner) has been designed to meet the needs and interests of the public and private sector relating to community development and will provide the means through which this level of leadership can be built. The qualification will provide opportunities for people to progress to supervisory and mid management levels in the Department of Social Development and with a range of Non - Governmental organisations. It will also create opportunities for the successful learners to enter the private sector in organisations where they are doing community work in terms of the various industry charters.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum requirement for entry into this qualification is: • Successful completion of the Occupational Certificate: Community Worker (Community Development Worker) at NQF Level 4. Or • National Senior Certificate (NSC).

• Compile and present community profile reports.
• Manage community development information and data (Gathering, analysis and storing).
• Establish, identify and coordinate community development structures.
• Assess the performance of and provide support to community development structures.
• Monitor the progress and achievements of community development initiatives.
• Mobilise and manage volunteers and support staff.