March is World Social Work Month. International Day of Social Work is celebrated on the third Tuesday of March, each year. This year, it is on 21 March 2023.

The theme for World Social Work Month is “Respecting diversity through joint social action.”

What is social work?

According to Wikipedia; social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being.

Who is the founder of social work?

Jane Addams (1860-1935) is the founder of social work. Through her ethics, discipline, and values demonstrated, it has become the foundation of what we know as social work today.

The role of a social worker

The role or job description of a social Worker according to http://www.targetjobs.co.uk; Social Workers provide advice, support and resources to individuals and families to help them solve their problems.

Elaborated by http://www.socialworkportal.com; social work intervention is the engagement a social worker has with an individual, family, group, or community that they are helping. An intervention plan in social work will be formulated based on the client assessment to help ensure the best chance of success.

Becoming a social worker

Passing grade 12 with a bachelor pass; matric certificate makes you eligible to study towards a degree at a university.

The post matric website details the journey of becoming a social worker. Click the link below for information on studying social work. https://www.postmatric.co.za/social-worker/

Where to study social work in South Africa

• University of Pretoria
• Stellenbosch University
• University of Johannesburg
• UNISA
• Wits University
• University of Western Cape
• Huguenot College
• Nelson Mandela University
• University of Zululand

Fields of practice in social work

Field of practice as discussed on https://www.gostudy.net/occupation/social-worker

• Child and family welfare
• Marriage and divorce counselling
• Elderly care
• Medical social work
• Psychiatric social work
• Social work with mentally or physically disabled persons
• Social work with alcoholic or drug dependants
• Social work with offenders
• Social work in the workplace
• School social work

Social work in South African

Diving into social work from an African continent perspective or one from a South African context has a different approach compared to other countries.

Challenges Facing social workers in South Africa as mentioned on https://tmsafri.com/challenges-facing-social-workers-in-south-africa/

• Shortage of social workers in South Africa
• Lack of supervision
• High caseloads
• Inadequate training of social workers
• Shortcomings of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005
• Lack of uniformity among presiding officers
• Public perception of social work
• Uncooperative police officers, due to the lack of understanding social work and relevant legislation

Just to add to the list above, loadshedding and the safety of social workers in the field are challenges as well.

In addition to this, there is a high turnover of social workers resigning and leaving the country.

Valuable articles discussing the social work profession in South Africa. From employment, lack of resources to scarce skills. Follow the links below for an in-depth view.

• https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2012/jul/05/social-work-south-africa-nasw
• https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/617521/critical-shortage-of-social-workers-in-south-africa-heres-how-much-they-get-paid/
• https://www.da.org.za/2022/03/south-africa-faces-shocking-shortage-of-thousands-of-social-workers
• https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/opinion/social-workers-a-vital-pillar-in-defeating-homelessness-59d619f6-a987-4de1-bd18-4410b986ec14

Emotional, mental, physiological, and psychosocial impact of social work on the practioner

Social workers give a part of themselves, supporting others in their moment of need. During these interactions, social workers are exposed to a variety of traumatic events.

These events can lead to secondary trauma or burnout. The word compassion fatigue describes this experience.

What is compassion fatigue? Compassion fatigue according to Wikipedia, is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others, often described as the negative cost of caring.^[1] It is sometimes referred to as secondary traumatic stress (STS).^[1] According to the Professional Quality of Life Scale, burnout and STS are interwoven elements of compassion fatigue.^[2]

Compassion fatigue is throughly discussed in the blog by Online social work VCU. Click the link below to learn more. https://onlinesocialwork.vcu.edu/blog/what-is-compassion-fatigue-in-social-work/

Fun facts, celebraties who are qualified social workers

• Samuel L Jackson, actor
• Alice Walker, author
• John Amos, actor
• Stedman Graham, entrepreneur and CEO
• Alana De La Garza, actress
• Amy Blom, author and psychotherapist
• Martin Short, comedian
• Suze Orman, financial guru

Songs about advocacy and justice

Memes and quotes social workers can relate to in no particular order

“Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, ‘Make me feel important.’ Never forget this message when working with people.” – Mary Kay Ash

“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” –Alexander Den Heijer

“Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” – Mother Teresa

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” – Deepak Chopra

Social Work, as it is

Social service professional, is an umbrella term for many other professions. These professionals include; social workers, social auxiliary workers, community development practitioners, child and youth care workers.

In South Africa, all social services professionals need to be registered with a board called the South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSP).

Social work is not all sunshine and roses. The lack of resources to support the growing need of clients is limited. The amount of times social workers work from their own salaries to support those in need is unjustified.

Spending time with various social service professionals, they would share growing concerns that impact a variety of facets, doing injustice to the profession.

Facets impacting practice:

• The lack of supervision.
• Open door policies are not sufficient as supervisors are not always available
• The lack of resources, transport, printers and finances
• Office politics
• Feeling lonely
• The lack of acknowledgment. Although it’s a paid job, it’s emotionally taxing and mentally draining
• Scoring systems in place that are unrealistic. Interventions should be client centered and not based on expectations on paper.
• Too little time. After intervention, evidence is required. This is a process note, providing support to what intervention a client received. I am aware of social workers who compile these process notes at home.
• Self care is a challenge.
• Lack of respect received from other professionals.
• Intimidation
• High caseload. The minimum caseload is 60. However, one case could feel like 10 cases

The above facets are a summary of first-hand experiences of various social workers I have compiled on the basis of anonymity. This is not meant to cause harm to anyone, but to share the reality in the world of social work.

How to say thank you

In order to understand social work, you need to be a social worker. Live the reality to tell the story. Even if the story is told, it’s not always interpreted as it should.

We all, as people, have a touch of social service in us. The selfless acts, the sacrifices of money and time, all attributes of advocacy for others.

Thank you social workers Thank you for your patience, your time, your contributions, your attributions.

Thank you for teaching us selflessness, thank you for sharing and being an inspiration, thank you for forgiving us for our decisions, and causing you turmoil.

Sorry for undermining you and intimidating while doing your job. Sorry for preventing you from saving our children. Sorry for abandoning our children and elderly in the hospital.

Sorry for not being sensitized with disabilities and not using appropriate and friendly words when approaching those differently abled.

Sorry for turning a blind eye. Sorry for ignoring the African proverb, “Your child is my child.”

Thank you for linking us up with resources and bringing services closer to the people. Thank you for being awesome FBI agents in investigations. Thank you for your court reports and late hours.

You are an essential asset for our country and the world. Sorry for not receiving the well-deserved recognition. Sorry for causing you so much pain. Sorry for your tears and difficult decisions.

Thank you for digging in your pockets. Thank you for clothing our kids and making school arrangements when we fail to.

Thank you

How would you acknowledge a social worker ?

For another, I Salute You series story; click the link below https://ibelieveindaffodils.wordpress.com/2023/02/04/thankyousaps/