Celebrating Social Worker Month
19 March 2024
On 15th March 2024, all social workers employed by the WCED celebrated social work month.
The month of March has been internationally declared the month where:
- Awareness about the important work that social workers do every day, throughout the year;
- Educating the public about the essential roles of professional social workers and what it means to be a professional social work; and
- It gives us opportunities to thank our colleagues for work well done.
This day was celebrated with an address by the WCED Head of Department, Mr. Brent Walters, who expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the work done by school social workers. Deputy Director General for Institutional Development and Coordination, Mr Alan Meyer, addressed our special guests on the crucial “behind the scenes” role that school social workers play in addressing the social, emotional and behavioural barriers to learning, contributing towards better retention in the system.
The evolution of school social work in the Western Cape was one of the major highlights of the event. The event reflected on the work done by Dr Rocher, a 93-year-old veteran social worker, during the 1970s and 1980s building up to the current developments in School Social Work in the Western Cape and in South Africa.
Another highlight was the oath taken by the social workers who have now been trained as intermediaries.
Appreciation was expressed to all the social workers, social auxiliary workers and social work supervisors, as well as the regional court president and relevant partners from the Department of Justice. We are grateful for their continued commitment and dedication to this most worthy cause.
