MINISTER TOLASHE TO ADDRESS WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS

South Africa faces a growing need for social service professionals due to increasing social challenges such as unemployment, inequality, crime, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. To address this, the National Development Plan calls for 55,000 social service professionals by 2030. Currently, the government employs 23,561 individuals in this field, including social workers, auxiliary social workers, child and youth care workers, and community development practitioners. The Department of Social Development is the largest employer, with 18,948 professionals, while other sectors such as health, education, correctional services, and justice employ 4,613.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social service professionals played a crucial role in the national response, saving lives and supporting communities. In response to this need, the Department of Social Development developed a sector strategy to enhance the human resource capacity across government, NGOs, and the private sector to address complex social issues. 

The strategy, approved by Cabinet in February 2024, focuses on meeting the increasing demand for social services through the recruitment and retention of unemployed social work graduates. To advance this strategy, the Department will host a two-day workshop on Thursday, 12 and Friday, 13 September 2024, from 09:00 to 16:00. This event will take place at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng Province, bringing together key departments and stakeholders to collaborate on building a responsive social service workforce.