21 NOVEMBER 2006

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES JOINT INITIATIVE WITH NIHE TO ADDRESS SOCIAL WORKER SHORTAGE IN PROVINCE

The Northern Cape Department of Social Services and Population Development together with the National Institute of Higher Education (NIHE) announced in Kimberley today that the institution will offer a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work as from1 January, 2007.

The two parties signed the agreement to facilitate this process during a press conference held at the department’s offices.

According to the agreement, the NIHE will offer a BA degree in social work that is underwritten by the University of Southern Africa (UNISA).

The Department of Social Services and Population Development in partnership with the National Department of Social Development has committed approximately R1.3 million to facilitate funding for a minimum of 30 students in every year of study for a period of four years.

The agreement is the result of exploratory meetings initiated by the department with the NIHE to offer social work as a degree course at the Institution in order to address training of social workers in the province and simultaneously provide a solution for the shortage of skilled professionals in this sector.

The problem of the lack of social workers is a well known fact. Various departments who require their services including the department of Health, Correctional Services and the South African Police Service as well as Social Services and Population Development are experiencing difficulties because of this shortage.

In addition to the above mentioned, the private sector as well as Non Governmental Organisations also require the services of social workers. As a result of this escalating demand and the small number of social workers entering the market, the supply of social workers does not meet the demand.

The ideal norm for social workers as per population as stipulated in the Integrated Service Delivery Model is 1:3000. Presently, in the Northern Cape there are about 200 social workers employed by Government as well as the NGO sector. This translates into a ratio of 1:5000. The solution clearly lies in ensuring that we train more social workers.

Up until now students that sought to pursue a career in social work had to do so at Universities outside of the province or at Hugenote College in the Western Cape which specializes in social work training.

This initiative is a positive step in addressing the shortage of social workers in the province. Increasing the number of social worker professionals will have far reaching effects on the quality of services that is being rendered by the Northern Cape government in general, and the Department of Social Services and Population Development in particular. Not only will this initiative assist the Northern Cape, but it is expected to assist with the overall shortage of social workers in the country, in particular our neighbouring Provinces.

It is heartening to note that the private sector has joined us in this endeavour with FNB taking the lead by offering a sum of R100 000. 00 towards bursaries for prospective students for the 2007 academic year.

Issued by Celine Morolong, Spokesperson for MEC of Social Services and Population Development, Goolam Akharwaray.
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