South Africa: General shortage of social workers |
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The Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya has appealed to youth awaiting their matric results and those going to Grade 12 next year to consider social work as a career.
The Minister made the call ahead of the celebration of International Human Rights Day on Sunday.
"The country faces a general shortage of skilled social workers and social work is officially regarded as a scarce skill in the public service," Dr Skweyiya said.
He added that though the tertiary institutions produced an excellent quality of social workers and social service professionals South Africa has not been able to produce social workers in line with the demands placed by needy communities and other sectors.
"We therefore need to attract as many young people as possible to this noble and selfless profession,'' Dr Skweyiya said.
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, Dr Skweyiya said, assisted most vulnerable people in the society to enjoy the basic human rights that have been enshrined in the Constitution.
He added that social workers alleviate distress in older persons, children and people with disabilities.
"Our country needs more social workers to deal with social welfare challenges such as the social impact of HIV and AIDS which is prevalent in child-headed households," Dr Skweyiya said.
The department has been conducting road shows throughout the country in partnership with the 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 department has developed new generic job descriptions which define areas of specialisation for social workers.
These job descriptions are now used in all government departments.
Furthermore, the government has improved the remuneration package for social workers and provide scholarships for people who are interested in social work studies.
Source: Bua News Online, South Africa
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page last updated on 11.12.2006
