Student Counselling and Career Development (SCCD) Services in Southern Africa Presentation: 23 May 2007

Development of SCCD in South Africa SCCD started in South Africa in the late sixties/early seventies SCCD started in South Africa in the late sixties/early seventies Developed from purely counselling orientation to a multidisciplinary profession Developed from purely counselling orientation to a multidisciplinary profession Currently represented at all universities and other higher education institutions Currently represented at all universities and other higher education institutions Mergers have brought about changes in the nature of SCCD. Mergers have brought about changes in the nature of SCCD. SSCSA – professional society representing all South African and African members. SSCSA – professional society representing all South African and African members.

Situating Student Counselling and Career Development Services (SCCD) in the Academy. SCCD is regarded as a primary support service collaboratively engaged in efforts to increase student retention and throughput. SCCD is regarded as a primary support service collaboratively engaged in efforts to increase student retention and throughput. Academic performance is dependent on Academic performance is dependent on goal direction = career developmentgoal direction = career development academic skills = thinking and study skillsacademic skills = thinking and study skills Wellness = orientation and personal/life skills developmentWellness = orientation and personal/life skills development

Situating SCCD in the Institutional Domain The situation of SCCD units in the organisational structures vary from one institution to another i.e. some are independent units reporting to Chief Directors or Vice Principals The situation of SCCD units in the organisational structures vary from one institution to another i.e. some are independent units reporting to Chief Directors or Vice Principals Other are situated in student affairs divisions and report to Deans of Students Other are situated in student affairs divisions and report to Deans of Students Model favoured by directors of units is one of functional independence with direct links to the academy. Model favoured by directors of units is one of functional independence with direct links to the academy. SCCD is always cognisant of the need to work collaboratively with all sectors of higher education. SCCD is always cognisant of the need to work collaboratively with all sectors of higher education.

Staffing Staffing differs according to the range of services offered by the units. Staffing differs according to the range of services offered by the units. Staff may be representative of professionals from the following disciplines: Staff may be representative of professionals from the following disciplines: Registered PsychologistsRegistered Psychologists EducationalistsEducationalists Social workersSocial workers Health professionals eg nursesHealth professionals eg nurses Librarians or resource managersLibrarians or resource managers ResearchersResearchers Career counsellorsCareer counsellors Counsellors for students with special needsCounsellors for students with special needs RPL advisorsRPL advisors

Core competencies of SCCD staff Counselling and therapy Counselling and therapy Career development Career development Student development Student development Academic and learning skills Academic and learning skills Advocacy and consultation Advocacy and consultation Research Research Training Training Assessment Assessment Community outreach Community outreach Knowledge of students and student cultures Knowledge of students and student cultures Programme development Programme development Leadership and management Leadership and management