career
6 December 2006
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, has appealed to youth
awaiting matric examination results and those going to grade 12 next year to
consider social work as a career.
The Minister has made the call ahead of the celebration of International
Human Rights Day on Sunday, 10 December.
The country faces a general shortage of skilled social workers and social
work is officially regarded as a scarce skill in the public service.
"Although tertiary institutions produce an excellent quality of social
workers and social service professionals, we have not been able to produce
these professionals at the rate and pace of demands placed by our needy
communities and various local sectors. We therefore need to attract as many
young people as possible to this noble and selfless profession," said Dr
Skweyiya.
The need and demand for social workers is set to increase. With the passing
of the new Children's Act 2005, an estimated 16 000 social workers are needed
to implement services that children are entitled to in terms of the Act over
the next three years.
"Social workers assist the most vulnerable in our society to enjoy the basic
human rights that they are entitled to in terms of the Constitution. They
alleviate the distress of amongst others, our older persons, children and
people with disabilities. The country also needs more social workers to deal
with social welfare challenges such as the social impact of HIV and AIDS which
includes the phenomenon of child headed households and vulnerable and orphaned
children," said Dr Skweyiya.
The Department has been conducting road shows throughout the country in
partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) education
department, promoting social work as a career among the youth.
The Department has a number of other measures in place to make social work
attractive as a career in the country and to retain the skills.
As part of implementing the retention strategy for social workers, the
following has been done:
* The development of new generic job descriptions which provide opportunities
for career pathing and also define areas of specialisation for social workers.
These job descriptions are now used in all government departments.
* The improvement of the remuneration package for social workers in government
with due recognition for specialisation within social work field up to the
level of deputy director.
* The provision of scholarships for social workers to the tune of R2,8 million
(which is over and above the normal bursaries allocated by government at
provincial and national level).
Social workers registered with the South African Council for Social Service
Professions (SACSSP)
Eastern Cape: 1 276
Free State: 531
Gauteng: 3 311
Mpumalanga: 441
North West: 522
Northern Cape: 338
Limpopo: 790
Western Cape: 2 397
Other (those in private practice, non-government organisation (NGO) sector
etc): 354
Total: 9 360
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Tel: (012) 312 7653
Cell: 082 782 2575
E-mail: Lakela.Kaunda@socdev.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Social Development
6 December 2006
