Question NW1196 to the Minister of Social Development
31 July 2020 - NW1196
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether her department conducted any feasibility study in respect of the employment of 1 809 Social Work graduates on a three-month contract; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was found to be the impact of the employment of the graduates in each province, (b)(i) on what date will the graduates commence employment in each province and (ii) where in each province will the graduates physically report for work on a daily basis and (c) who will be responsible for the screening and vetting of the graduates before they commence employment; ) whether all the 1 809 graduates have been trained in psychosocial support; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what (a) tools of trade will the graduates be provided with to perform their daily functions and (b) will be the duration of the training and induction process for the graduates once they report for duty; (4) what (a) is the current ratio of social work supervisor and social work manager to social worker in each province and (b) measurement tool will be used to measure the impact of the 1 809 graduates once their contract has ended?
Reply:
(1)(a) No, the Department did not conduct a formal feasibility study in respect of the employment of 1,809 Social Work graduates in view of the urgency to appoint and short duration of the contracts. The allocation of Social Work graduates was informed by the possible risk of the spread of the virus, the vastness and geographical spread of provinces, the population size and density of the province. It is too early to measure the impact.
(1)(b)(i) 1 June and 1 July 2020.
(1)(b)(ii) The Social Work graduates are reporting physically for work at respective district offices on a daily basis.
(1)(c) Social Work graduates have been employed on contract for 3 months additional to the post establishment of the Department. The screening and vetting is not conducted for short term contract appointments.
(2) Training in psychosocial support forms part of the studies towards obtaining the Social Work degree. Included in the study is the compulsory practical experience required to obtain the social work qualification.
(3)(a) The provinces are responsible for providing these social workers with tools of trade.
(3)(b) The induction will include amongst others the expectations, reporting lines and logistical arrangements. This would be done on the first day of assuming duty and would take approximately 2 to 3 hours.
(4)(a) Ratio of Social Work Supervisor to Social Workers
|
Province |
Supervisor / SW Ratio |
|
Eastern Cape |
1: 14 |
|
Free State |
1:9 & 1: 10 |
|
Gauteng |
1:6 & 1: 10 |
|
Limpopo |
1:8 |
|
Mpumalanga |
1: 14 |
|
Northern Cape |
1: 10 |
|
North West |
1:13 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
1:8 |
|
Western Cape |
1 :6 |
(4)(b) The generic assessment tools available in government would be used.