The topic of their research was “Risk and Resilience of Designated Social Workers in Gauteng”. It explored the resilience of especially statutory social workers and the risk elements – anything that the social worker encounters that result in a negative outcome – they face in their day-to-day working environment.
“Social workers in specifically child protection units are prone to burnout, depression, poor relationships, a high rate of resignation and in extreme cases even suicide,” says Dr Truter. “This results in poor service delivery to the most vulnerable party of all: the client – who is usually a child in need.”
Shireen Hassan, social work manager at the Department of Social Development, Sebokeng, says such sessions are welcomed by the social workers. “The feedback from this research will help me and my supervisors to assist our social workers when facing difficult circumstances.”
The study will soon continue in the Free State and Western Cape provinces, with the hope of eventually formulating an intervention to remedy or even eliminate such risk elements. Dr Truter and Prof Fouché will eventually also give feedback on their findings to parliament.
