NEW SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISORY LEARNING AND SUPPORT FORUM SET UP IN NORTH WEST

By Petrus Siko.

• North West Social Development launched its first eight-member Supervisory Learning and Support Forum to promote continuous learning, professional growth, and peer support within the social work sector.
• The forum was inaugurated during the provincial Social Work Indaba at Haartebeespoort Dam, where over 300 delegates gathered to exchange best practices and strengthen networks.
• Forum members reaffirmed their professional commitment by taking the social work oath, pledging to uphold compassion, dignity, fairness, confidentiality, and respect for human rights.

North West Social Development’s acting head of department, Peggy Mhlongo-Kgaboesele, officially inaugurated an eight-member supervisory learning support forum during the provincial social work indaba held at the Seasons resort. Haartebeespoort dam.

As the inaugural forum, in the province (North West), it seeks to foster a culture of continuous learning, reflection and professional growth within the social work sector. The forum will provide a platform for social work supervisors and practitioners to share knowledge, develop skills, strengthen professional networks, and offer mutual support to improve service quality and practitioner well-being.

“We are pleased to have a forum that will strengthen social work supervision and equip social workers to render effective services to our beneficiaries. This is a milestone for the profession. The forum will enable supervisors and practitioners to learn from one another, exchage best practices, and remain updated on new approaches, policies and theories in supervision,” said Mhlongo-Kgaboesele, addressing over 300 delegates at a social work indaba currently underway.
The forum chairperson, Mamello Mofoka, emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for practitioners to discuss challenges, share experiences and receive emotional support to prevent burnout and maintain well-being. Mofoka said the forums will serve as a hub for dialogue, collaboration, and the formation of professional connections among social workers and supervisors across the province.

As part of the proceedings, members of the new forum and delegates reaffirmed their professional commitment by taking the social work oaths, marking a pivotal moment in their day-to-day work and solidifying their commitment to improving the lives of the community members they serve. Led by the SA Social Services Professional Council representative, Dr Ivy Smit she highlighted that the oath represents a solemn pledge to uphold the values of compassion, fairness, confidentiality, dignity, and respect for human rights: principles that are at the heart of the social work profession
These values, Dr Smit said, include a commitment to compassion, fairness, confidentiality, respect for the dignity and human rights, irrespective of race or colour and, above all, a steadfast dedication to rendering services to humanity.

The North West social work indaba comes to an end today, 22 August 2025