Social auxiliary work is an act or activity practiced by a social auxiliary worker under the guidance and control of a social worker to achieve the aims of social work. The main characteristics of social auxiliary work are that it is a supportive service to social work in order to achieve the aims of social work, and a social auxiliary worker works under the guidance and control of a social worker. Social auxiliary workers assist or support social workers in working with individuals, families, groups, or communities to improve their social functioning. They render a supporting service to social workers, and their tasks are mainly of a social care nature focusing on the primary needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Social auxiliary workers can work at any welfare organization, non-profit, or government agency. To become a social auxiliary worker, one must undergo a one-year in-service training course under the guidance and control of a social worker, acting as a trainer, and while they are in the employment of a specific organization. After successfully passing the examination, pupil social auxiliary workers qualify for the Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work awarded by the Council. A person must be registered as a social auxiliary worker with the SA Interim Council for Social Work in order to be employed as such and to undertake social auxiliary work.