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Social Work in Social Change - The profession and education of social workers in South Africa

This study from South Africa forms part of a series of studies on professions and professional education being conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council's (HSRC) research programme on Education, Science & Skills Development. Like the other studies in the series, this study involved developing an understanding of the professional milieu and professional labour market of social workers. As the implementers of government social policy, social work professionals have been at the forefront of grappling with the practicalities of the changes in focus, approach and methods of social security and social service delivery since 1994. It examines developments in the education and training of social workers within the democratic dispensation, the most significant of which is the development of a national, standardised Bachelor of Social Work degree. The study also reveals that the dominant profile in student enrolment and graduation statistics has changed from white female to African female, and that enrolment has increased significantly. However, the study also shows that graduation trends have been negative and losses due to emigration are an additional concern. Given the scarcity of these professionals against the demand for their services, understanding the factors that contribute to this picture are critical to effective intervention. Social Work in Social Change: The profession and education of social workers in South Africa IFSW was pleased to support the launch of a new, unified professional association for social workers at a launch conference in September 2007. A major discussion point at the conference was the recruitment and retention of social workers in the context of the growing global market in social work skills. IFSW - IFSW supports South African social workers as they discuss forming a united professional body « back