CHILD AND YOUTH CARE
WORKER COURSE – NQF Level 5
OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE
PROVIDE HOLISTIC, DEVELOPMENTAL
CARE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT RISK
Unlock your future in the Social Service professions sector with CEFA’s Child and Youth Care Worker NQF Level 5 course. A SAQA accredited qualification that prepares you to operate as a Child and Youth Care Worker. Learn to provide holistic, basic and developmental care and be the advocate for the rights of vulnerable and at-risk children and youth.
COURSE OVERVIEW
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The Occupational Certificate: Child and Youth Care
Worker (NQF 5) provides a solid knowledge, practical
and workplace foundation.
The course equips you with skills to:
- Apply behaviour management and support techniques
- Implement life space work and life space counselling
- Maintain planned environments
- Participate in development assessments of children and youth
- Assist with implementation of programmes
- Undertake Child and Youth care administration
This full-time course (18 months) includes academic knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience, in order to ensure job readiness.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
DURATION
18 MONTHS
CREDITS
190
NQF LEVEL
NQF 5
KNOWLEDGE MODULES
- Knowledge Modules will be hosted online. Attendance of scheduled classroom training will be compulsory.
- Fundamentals of Human Development
- Theories and methodologies of Child and Youth Care Work
- Self-reflective practices
- Development assessment practices
- Legislative framework relevant to Child and Youth Care
- Supervision and Administration
PRACTICAL SKILL MODULES
- Practical skill module training will be hosted online. Attendance of scheduled classroom training will be compulsory.
- Provide physical, social and emotional care
- Interpret and respond in a helpful manner to behaviour of children and youth
- Respond appropriately to concerning behaviour
- Assist children and youth to realise developmental and therapeutic goals
- Apply the principles of the developmental approach
- Apply restorative processes within the environment
- Observe, record and report behaviours and interactions
- Participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes and activities
WORKPLACE
EXPERIENCE MODULES
- Completion of scheduled workplace training at a child and youth care work facility for a minimum of 960 workplace notional hours.
- Work placements at government departments, NPOs, & places of safety
- Provide holistic developmental care
- Manage behaviour within the child and youth care context
- Implement life space work and conduct life space counselling
- Maintain planned environments for child and youth care work
- Conduct development assessments for children and youth
- Implement programmes and activities to deal with identified developmental needs of children and youth
- Advocate for the rights of children and youth
- Manage the administration of child and youth care work
EXTERNAL INTEGRATED
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (EISA)
- Once you have been deemed Competent in all Knowledge, Practical Skill and Workplace Experience Modules, you will be declared ready for the EISA and will be registered accordingly.
- Students needs to pass the EISA, conducted through HWSETA (Assessment Quality Partner) in order to obtain the QCTO Occupational Certificate: Child and Youth Care Worker
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12/Matric (or equivalent NQF Level 4)
- Proficiency in English
- Computer Literacy
- Computer Equipment
- Internet Connection
- Passion for supporting and caring for children and youth
- Emotional resilience to handle challenging situations
CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
Become a qualified Child and Youth Care
Worker and join a growing industry that
makes a real difference.
This certificate opens doors in:
- Various Government departments
- NGOs and welfare organisations
- Places of safety
- Youth support centres and schools
Strong demand for Child & Youth Care workers in South Africa. Excellent employability.
ARTICULATION &
FURTHER STUDY
Your Child and Youth Care qualification will
give you an advantage to apply for other
programmes.
Further education upon completion:
- Occupational Certificate: Social Auxiliary Work, Level 5
- National Certificate in Human Resource Management, Level 5
- University Diploma in Christian Service: Social Work, Level 6
FEE STRUCTURE | 2026 (BLENDED LEARNING)
The table below illustrates how the total course fee is structured. The total of R34,250 reflects the total amount payable over one year. No surprises.
APPLICATION FEE
(non-refundable)
With application
form
R1,450
REGISTRATION FEE
Upon acceptance
and enrolment
R9,400
TUITION FEE
Once-off or over 12 equal
monthly instalments
R23,400
TOTAL COURSE FEE
Includes full access to
blended learning content
R34,250
*Tuition includes access to online resources, assessments and support materials.
ENQUIRE NOW
HAVE QUESTIONS? NEED HELP APPLYING?
Complete the form below and one of our friendly CEFA staff members will guide you through the process.
WHY STUDY AT
QCTO accredited
SAQA ID 99510
NQF qualification
Over 20 years of experience
in social service professions
education and training sector
Recognised training
institution in South Africa
and the rest of Africa
100% practical,
real-world training
Online training (Knowledge & Practical Skill Modules)
