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It has been reported that 924 graduated social workers, who received bursaries from the Department of Social Development, now cannot be employed as insufficient budget has been allocated for this purpose.

A costing estimate by Cornerstone Economic Research indicates that at least 60 000 social workers are needed for the implementation of the Children’s Act.

In March 2012, the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) reported that there were 16 740 registered social workers. This represents a 70% shortfall for the implementation of the Children’s Act alone.

Why would the Department of Social Development invest in the training of much needed social workers if they are not able to place them?

In a reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question, the Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini indicated that the current caseload of social workers is 1:60. We know this to be a misrepresentation of the truth.

Last week, I visited Boksburg Child Welfare in Gauteng, where I learned that not only has the organisation run out of money, but it is facing a chronic staff shortage. The eight social workers currently employed there are expected to handle approximately 12 000 cases per month in addition to 3 500 temporary cases.

Given the significant case backlog and dire need for social workers to implement the Children’s Act, I have written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Social Development, Ms Yolanda Botha, to request that she call Minister Dlamini before the Committee to explain what steps her department is taking to ensure that the shortage of specialised social workers is addressed. I will also request that she explain why bursaries were granted if there was no plan in place to deploy these 924 social workers.

Social workers render an important service to vulnerable communities. Children, in particular, who are abused, at risk, abandoned or neglected, are dependent on specialised social work professionals who are able to dedicate sufficient time to provide comprehensive support.

Social workers are an indispensable part of the network of support to the social challenges faced by many vulnerable South Africans. The Department has to address the current shortfalls as a matter of urgency. Providing bursaries to social work students who then fall between the cracks of a deficient management system will not help.