DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AT WORKSHOP ON EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY

By Mashudu Mzimba

• The workshop on the Implementation of the Approved Employment Strategy for Social Service Professionals, taking place at the Birchwood Hotel Conference Centre, highlighted the Department of Justice’s urgent need to expand the employment of social workers.
• Mr. Emmanuel Nemataheni from the Office of the Family Advocate outlined the significant workload and challenges faced due to the expansion of the Office’s mandate and the increasing number of cases, stressing that the current staffing levels are insufficient.
• Nemataheni recommended legislative reforms, a 50% increase in personnel, and improved resource management to address the high demand and enhance the efficiency of social service delivery for children’s welfare in divorce and separation cases.

As the workshop on the Implementation of the Approved Employment Strategy for Social Service Professionals draws closer to an end at the Birchwood Hotel Conference Centre the Department of Justice had spotlighted a pressing issue: the urgent need to bolster the employment of social workers. At the heart of the discussion, Mr Emmanuel Nemataheni, Social Work Manager at the Office of the Family Advocate, took the floor to share crucial insights into the department’s ongoing efforts to safeguard children’s welfare amidst divorce and separation cases.

Mr Nemataheni began by tracing the history and evolution of the Office of the Family Advocate, which was established on 1 October 1990 under the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act, 1987. Originally, the Office’s remit was confined to protecting children involved in divorce cases within the first four high courts of South Africa and only pertained to children of married parents. However, the Office’s mandate has substantially broadened with the introduction of key legislation, including the Children’s Act (2005), the Maintenance Act (1998), the Domestic Violence Act (1998), and the Jurisdiction of the Regional Courts Amendment Act (1998).

“The Children’s Act significantly expanded our mandate to include the Regional Courts and introduced new concepts such as ‘care’ and ‘contact’ of minor children,” Mr Nemataheni explained. He emphasised that the Act mandates compulsory mediation in cases affecting children’s welfare and sets rigorous standards to prioritise the child’s best interests. “Adherence to these provisions is non-negotiable,” he added.

Despite these advancements, Nemataheni highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by children caught in protracted and often contentious divorce and separation disputes, which can cause irreparable harm to vital parent-child relationships. Currently, the Office of the Family Advocate operates through 27 offices across South Africa. With a workforce of 145 and only 117 positions filled, the Office manages approximately 2,500 cases each month, leading to an overwhelming workload.

“The current capacity is inadequate to meet the demand,” he said. In response, the Department of Justice has launched a social work graduate programme, placing new graduates within the Office to help address the backlog. However, Nemataheni noted that this programme, which lasts only two years, is not a viable long-term solution.

He underscored the potential benefits of a comprehensive strategy for social service professionals, which could enhance access to services and reduce case resolution times. He advocated for a client-centric service delivery model that prioritises the needs of families and children, promoting collaboration among public sector agencies to improve service effectiveness.

In his recommendations, Nemataheni called for legislative reforms to manage the increased demand on the Office and proposed expanding the workforce by at least 50%. He urged sector leaders to influence the funding model to secure additional posts through the national treasury and suggested establishing a research hub for social service practitioners to facilitate ongoing dialogue on shared challenges.

Additionally, Nemataheni recommended creating a resource list for social service professionals and streamlining processes to avoid delays in case resolutions. “A database providing easier access to essential reports, such as school records or drug test results, could significantly enhance our efficiency,” he concluded.