WORKSHOP SHEDS LIGHT ON SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS’ ROLE AND RESOURCE GAPS WITHIN SAPS

By Precious Mupenzi

At the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, the Workshop on the Implementation of the Approved Employment Strategy for Social Service Professionals is currently underway. Running from 12 to 13 September 2024, this critical workshop gathers delegates from provincial social services departments to address key issues related to the employment and deployment of social workers across South Africa.

Understanding the current status of social work professionals within the South African Police Service (SAPS) is crucial for compiling detailed workforce data across the sector. This insight not only reveals employment capacities but also highlights significant disparities and gaps that need addressing. Brigadier SC Matlala, Section Head of Social Work Services at SAPS, provided a thorough presentation on these challenges today. By illustrating the distribution and issues faced by social workers within SAPS, he emphasised the importance of assessing the overall employment needs of social service professionals. This context is essential for developing effective strategies to optimise the deployment and support of social workers, ensuring resources are aligned with sector demands and that the workforce is well-equipped to tackle complex social issues.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) is a key stakeholder in implementing the approved Employment Strategy for Social Service Professionals. As one of the largest public sector employers of social workers, SAPS’s involvement is crucial for the success of this multi-stakeholder initiative. Employing social workers within SAPS requires a coordinated approach involving various sectors, including government, non-profit organisations, and private partners. This collaborative effort is essential to address the complex social issues faced by the police force and ensure that social workers are effectively integrated into the SAPS framework. Engaging multiple stakeholders is necessary to align resources, share expertise, and develop comprehensive strategies to enhance the support and well-being of SAPS members and their families.

Brigadier Matlala provided an insightful overview of the current status of social work professionals within SAPS, shedding light on their critical yet challenging role. “Currently, SAPS employs a total of 1,341 individuals with social work qualifications. However, only 295 are positioned within relevant environments due to limited opportunities,” Brigadier Matlala reported. “The majority, 1,038, are working in operational roles such as constables, sergeants, and administration clerks, rather than in social work capacities.”

The presentation highlighted the distribution of social workers across various SAPS divisions. Within the Social Crime Prevention unit, which manages victim-friendly centres and gender-based violence desks, there are 61 specialised forensic social workers. In contrast, the Human Resource Management division, which encompasses social work services, employs 195 social workers, though 47 of these positions remain vacant. The Quality of Work-Life Division within Human Resource Management has 39 social workers, with 22 vacancies.

Brigadier Matlala emphasised the disparity between the number of social workers and the vast number of individuals they are tasked with supporting. “We have a total of 195 social workers responsible for providing care and support to 186,461 SAPS members and their families,” he noted. “This results in a challenging ratio of approximately 1 social worker for every 956 individuals, underscoring the need for a more robust support system.”

Addressing SAPS’s broader mandate, Brigadier Matlala referenced Section 205 of the Constitution, which outlines SAPS’s role in preventing, combating, and investigating crime, maintaining public order, and protecting South African citizens and property. “While social work is not the core mandate of SAPS, it plays a crucial supportive role in achieving our strategic objectives,” he explained.

He further highlighted current challenges and proposed solutions. “The needs of social workers vary significantly between organisations, and there is a pressing issue of resource limitations. We must consider reprioritising resources and revisiting joint bids to address the oversupply of social workers and the associated employment challenges,” Brigadier Matlala said.