Social workers are professionals who aim to enhance overall well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of communities and people. Social workers work with many different populations and types of people, particularly focusing on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
What exactly does a social worker do?
What Social Workers Do. Child and family social workers protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.
What do social workers do on a daily basis?
On a daily basis, social workers perform myriad tasks relating to counseling, administrative duties, interviewing clients and potential clients, meeting with lawyers and more.
What are 5 things social workers do?
Social workers typically do the following: Identify people and communities in need of help. Assess clients’ needs, situations, strengths, and support networks to determine their goals. Help clients adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as illness, divorce, or unemployment.
How to Become A Social Worker In South Africa
STEPS
1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Related Field
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Pathway – If you know right away that a social work profession is your end goal, you could pursue a Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) in your undergraduate studies. Coursework for a BSW will include classes the following areas:
Intro to Social Work, Social Work Practice, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and Social Welfare Policy, which may help prepare you for a career in social work and to pursue your masters of social work.
One of the benefits of deciding early on to obtain a social work degree is the ability to enroll in advanced standing programs for your master’s degree. These programs typically take a shorter amount of time to complete than a traditional standing program.
Non-BSW Pathway – If you are not entirely sure that a social work career is the best option when you start your undergraduate studies, you are still able to pursue an MSW and work in the field without having a specific undergraduate degree in social work.
It is not uncommon for students who do end up pursuing their MSW to have a different undergraduate degree. Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Women’s and Gender Studies, Human Development, Early Childhood Development, Peace and Social Justice, are just some examples of potential undergraduate studies that will serve well for later MSW pursuit.
While any bachelor degree will create social work job opportunities, obtaining a financially stable social work career with flexibility and choice will require a master’s degree.
2. Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-equivalent program
Obtaining a masters in social work (MSW) is necessary for licensure as a social worker. There are many MSW programs available both online and on-campus. Some of your best professional growth and learning could happen through your mentorship during your internship experience.
Accredited MSW Programs – Whether or not you are pursuing a BSW or MSW, you will want to confirm that the program you choose is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
If you attend an accredited program, it means the program is following a set of standards representing best practice when it comes to providing students with social work education. It may also ensure that programs are offering a curriculum to students with a core set of social work competencies that will prepare you for actual practice, post-graduation.
3. Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements
Fieldwork, sometimes referred to as internships or practicum is the time where students can apply what they have learned in their courses in working with communities under supervision.
This is the time to observe and learn from social workers currently in the field. Be sure you have an understanding about how field placements occur and that you have had time to meet and/or complete an interview with your potential field mentor.
Making sure your placement site is a good fit may help to ensure a more meaningful and worthwhile experience. Similarly, if it is not going well, it’s okay to advocate for yourself to make sure your educational needs and experiences are being fulfilled.
You can use this time to work with a population that you thought you were not interest and come to learn you actually love. Be okay with stepping outside your comfort zone to optimize your growth and build a more diverse skill set!
Traditional MSW Placement Hours – Traditional MSW programs may require 16-20 hours of field placement for about two days a week for the first year and three days a week during the second year. The “field” will be a site currently employing social workers.
The specific time will vary depending on the program and site. It will be important to inquire about the structure of internships and the expected requirements. It is not uncommon for programs to require students to travel and therefore having reliable transportation may be expected.
Advanced Standing Placement Hours – Similar to traditional MSW programs, advanced standing placement hours will vary depending on the program. It can be expected that anywhere between 450-900 hours of field work may be required to fulfill your degree requirements.
4. Apply for State Social Work Licensure
Obtaining licensure in social work is one more way to advance your learning, strengthen your expertise, and demonstrate your credibility in the field. While not all social work roles require a license, positions that require you to work directly with individuals most often do.
Finding a place of work that will support your licensure application process whether financially or by offering the necessary practice experience and clinical supervision may be helpful for you. Obtaining direct service hours under the supervision of a licensed social worker External link is one of the main components of becoming licensed, as is passing the licensure examinations.
Licensure requirements and regulations vary by state. Some state licensing boards require a few different levels of licensure, while others may only require one. Be sure to check your preferred state of licensure for more detailed information.
Generally, there are two types of licensed social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) and Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSWs). Below are the key differences between LCSWs and LMSWs.
Clinical Social Work Licensure – The clinical social worker license may be pursued if you are currently providing—or desire to provide—clinical services, often in the form of psychotherapy. This licensure will permit social workers to have an independent private practice External link if they so choose.
Master Social Work Licensure – This licensure is typically pursued if you are not interested in practicing clinically (i.e., diagnosing and treating patients using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) External link . Those who work in macro-level practice may have this licensure. This licensure will not permit you to have a private practice.
5. Choose a Social Work Career
Clinical Social Work – A career in clinical practice means you will have the ability to assess, diagnose, and treat mental illness. It may also allow the opportunity to open your own private practice.
Macro Social Work – While a minority of social work students seem to place their efforts on the macro social work tract, it is incredibly important. The survival of the social work field relies on people who are working to create policy change to keep resources available and accessible for those who need them most.
School Social Work – School-based social workers will have opportunities to interface with not only the students at the school, but also their families, school faculty and staff, and community providers.
School social workers will often find themselves on a multidisciplinary team working to address a variety of problems that students and schools face—addressing the growing intersection between mental health and education while working to improve student outcomes.
Medical Social Work – Individuals who are interested in medical social work typically work in a medically based setting (i.e. a clinic, hospital, or community health center). All humans face health needs at some point in their lives. Because of this, medical social workers will be exposed to people across the entire developmental life span and on a wide range of life paths.
Medical social workers may support patients and their families during times of immediate health crises, or they may see patients on a more consistent basis to help them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.
Social worker courses, fees, and requirements 2021:
Social worker courses offer you the career opportunity to improve the quality of life of individuals and the community’s well-being. This field integrates knowledge about community and development, human interaction, social policy and administration and manipulation of political, social and psychological factors upon society.
Social worker courses combine theories from philosophy, psychology, medicine, politics, and economics to better understand the social mechanisms of human beings.
Social worker courses in South Africa
Studying a social worker course equips you with the following skills and qualities: active listening, empathy, persuasion, critical thinking, cooperation, social perceptiveness and communication and interpersonal skills.
Professional social workers provide services to communities or individuals suffering from lack of opportunities or information, poverty, persecution, social injustice, violation of justice or abuse. Read more: https://briefly.co.za/106742-social-worker-courses-fees-requirements-2021-all-know.html
Social worker requirements
What subjects are needed to become a social worker?
Social worker course requirements differ from one institution to the other. However, you should do well in Mathematics and languages to secure a chance in any institution.
Is social work a good career in South Africa?
In South Africa, the social worker should register with The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). You need to have a degree to register with SACSSP. The council and its professional boards work hand in hand to ensure the integrity of professionals and the public at large.
Where can I study social work courses in South Africa?
This list provides options in how the different institutions package their programmes at different levels:
Master in Counselling Psychology from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Bachelor in Psychology from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Free State
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Free State
Master of Social Work from the University of Free State
PhD in Social Work from the University of Free State
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from University of Witwatersrand
Master of Arts in Social Work (school social work) from University of the Witwatersrand
Master of Arts in Social Work (Occupational) from University of the Witwatersrand
PhD in Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Pretoria
Master of Social Work from the University of Pretoria
PhD Social Work from the University of Pretoria
Bachelor of Social Work from the Stellenbosch University
Master of Social Work from the Stellenbosch University
Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Johannesburg
Bachelor of Social Work from the University Of South Africa
Bachelor of Social Work from the University Of Zululand
University of the Western Cape’s Bachelor of Social Work
What qualifications do you need to be a social worker?
How to Become a Social Worker
Complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or Related Field.
Pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) or MSW-equivalent program.
Complete Fieldwork Hour Requirements.
Apply For State Social Work Licensure.
Choose a Social Work Career.
Advance Your Practice Through Continued Learning.
How long does it take to become a social worker in SA?
So, how long does it take to study Social Work in South Africa? It takes between four to six years to be academically qualified for this course. Pursuing a bachelors degree takes four years, while a masters degree takes an additional two years.
Which college can I study social worker in South Africa?
Stellenbosch University, South Africa is an accredited institution that offers social work degree programs. The Social work department, Stellenbosch University was established in 1932 and the duration for Social work Bachelor’s degree in Stellenbosch University is only four years.
Can I become a social worker without a degree in South Africa ?
Can I get into social work without a degree? You cannot become a social worker without an approved qualification – a BA degree or postgraduate masters in social work. However, you may be able to find a job as a social work assistant without a degree. Putting together care plans or following a social worker’s care plan.
How do I become a social worker in South Africa?
In order to practice as a social worker in South Africa, one is required to register with The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). SACSSP is a statutory body which falls under the Professional board for Social Work and the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care Work.
How long do you study to become a social worker in South Africa ?
Social Work The BA Social Work is a four-year professional degree programme. Social workers work in various fields of service such as community development, child protection, child and family welfare, youth programmes, disability, health, education, the workplace, and social policy development.
What do I need to be a social worker in South Africa?
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for many entry-level jobs as a social worker. Besides the Bachelor of Social Work, undergraduate majors in psychology, sociology and related fields satisfy hiring requirements in some agencies, especially small community agencies.
What should I study in college to become a social worker in South Africa ?
Social workers must have a degree in social work (BA), or master’s degree in social work. A master’s degree is a two-year-long postgraduate course for those with a degree in a different subject. Some universities offer part-time studying. Experience is an important part of social work qualifications.
Is it hard to become a social worker in South Africa ?
The job is not without its rewards, but it can also be stressful, emotionally taxing, and physically demanding. Working conditions and pay can be just as daunting at times. The fact is, entering this helping profession is not for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to become a social worker.
How much are social workers paid in South Africa?
R124,833 (ZAR)/yr.
How long does it take to study social work at Unisa?
The purpose of this professional four-year qualification is to equip learners with: Skills to challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion.