Solidariteit Helpende Hand talks about social workers etc in the community
As a social worker, I have seen many dire situations where a solution to a problem seemed distant. In most cases, the answer came from community members who came together and made a plan. The strength of a community lies in the networks within the community, the hands willing to give and work, and the hearts that care!
One of the unmissable roles in a community is that of its social workers. Due to high caseloads, negative media and a lack of resources, social work has a negative image and needs to be seen in a better light. Over the next few weeks, I will share information on the different social work fields. Did you know that there are more than 15 different “types” of social workers? There is a common misconception that all social workers are in child protection and therefore remove children from atrocious situations, but that is false!
I will also be sharing the different types of social workers working in Secunda and how they can assist you with everyday issues and severe challenges that you might be facing.
So, why do I want to share this information with you? Solidariteit Helpende Hand promotes community development; we want every community to foster a sense of belonging for every community member. Our job is to bring the community together so they can support, uplift and develop the community together! Through these articles, I will share my information about social work, the different aspects of community development, and how the Secunda community can become self-reliant and supportive of a happy and healthy community.
To start our journey through the social work profession, let’s start with the most notable field in social work: the statutory social worker, also known as child protection social worker. They are some of the most overworked and underpaid social workers in South Africa. Only a few organisations have been mandated by the Department of Social Development to safeguard children. In Secunda, these organisations are Tutela Family Services, Rata Social Services Secunda, SAVF Secunda and the Department of Social Development.
These are the only organisations allowed to remove children from their families when the situation is not in the child’s best interest. The South African Police Service is also mandated to remove children when necessary; their role will be discussed soon. An essential aspect of child protection is that the advocate of the children’s court has the final say in whether children are permanently removed from their families.
It is important to note that all child protection organisations have a strong capability and work ethic to keep the family system intact. Preventive and remedial services are of the utmost importance, and the child’s best interest will always be to support the family system staying together. Removing a child from their family is always the last option when a statutory social worker delivers services to a family. In some situations, immediate removal is warranted, and the social worker will treat these situations with the necessary urgency.
Also, remember that when a social worker removes a child, they need to place that child in a place of safety. The harsh reality is that most of these places of safety are fully occupied, which means that children cannot be removed. The challenges are never-ending, but these social workers give it their all every day!
Also read: ANIMALS 101 – COMPASSION FATIGUE-BEYOND EMPATHY
So how can we, as the community, support these social workers in their everyday tasks? The easiest, most important way is by having patience and showing compassion when interacting with social workers. Can I tell you a secret? The social workers are as frustrated with the flawed system as you are! You can also volunteer at children’s homes and donate food, clothes and finances – all of which are always welcome. Another way of supporting them is to become a place of safety for those children who need a haven for the interim. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information on the process and criteria.
Do you want to join our dynamic volunteer team in Secunda? Join in the fun of developing the community! Contact our chairperson, Liza de Coning, at 082 567 2247. Or please contact me, Marla Louw, at 066 120 4406 for any social work advice and guidance. If you want to donate to Solidariteit Helpende Hand, please get in touch with our regional manager, Annemarie van Heerden, at 082 829 2546.
