MEC Albert Fritz launches state-of-the-art Social Development Beaufort West office

18 Apr 2018

State-of-the-art Beaufort West local office launched by Minister Fritz

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz, today launched the Department’s 45th local office, in Beaufort West.

This R16.9-million facility boasts state-of-the-art and world-class amenities for the public, and is completely accessible to people with disabilities.

The office has a Social Work Manager overseeing a team of 2 Social Work Supervisors, 8 social workers, 6 social auxiliary workers, 2 Assistant Community Development Assistant and the 3 interns.

A key feature of the facility is its particular focus of providing services to children.

This local office is the second in the province to be purpose built with a Child Play Therapy Room. This R35 000 facility, enables specialist Child Protection social workers to assist children who have been physically, emotionally and/or sexually abused.

In his address, Minister Fritz stressed the importance of high-quality social worker services being accessible to rural communities that need them most.

“We are building these facilities within communities so that you, our social workers, can be directly accessible to children and families.” said Minister Fritz.

“This is why we took the strategic decision to reconfigure this Department in 2011. We have transitioned from 1 head office and 16 district offices, to a head office and 6 regional offices, overseeing 45 local offices and an additional 7 service points. That’s what service delivery is about - being rooted in communities”, said Minister Fritz.

The DSD Beaufort West local office will render specialist services to the community, including;