In many countries, a council acts as a governing body in the regulation of social work or other cadres of the social service workforce. In South Africa, the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) was established in 1978 and is uniquely comprised of two boards: the Professional Board for Social Work and the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care Work. The Council is statutory body, authorized through a governmental Act. Members appoint and elect social workers, child and youth care workers, and auxiliary workers, as well as individuals from government, education, business and from the community to the boards.
Working with the two boards, the Council guides and regulates the professions of social work and child youth care work through registration; education and training; professional conduct and ethical behavior; ensuring continuing professional development; and fostering compliance with professional standards.
In order to safeguard the public and increase professionalization, registration with Council is a prerequisite before practicing social work and child and youth care work. Registration with payment of dues is mandatory for social workers, social auxiliary workers, student social workers, student social auxiliary workers, child and youth care workers, auxiliary child and youth care workers, student child and youth care workers, and student auxiliary child and youth care workers.
Presenters will share background on the history of the Council, its role and composition. They will also share the many ways the Council and boards are strengthening professionalization and recognition of social work and child and youth care work within South Africa.
Following the presentations, there will be time for participants to pose questions to the presenters.
Speakers:
Ms. Langanani (Langi) Malamba, Registrar, South African Council on Social Service Professions
An experienced social worker with 29 years’ experience in different social work settings, Langi has served as registrar of the SACSSP for nearly three years. She holds a master’s degree in management and is working toward an MBA. She also serves as chairperson of National Network on Violence Against Women.
Dr. Marie Kruger, Chairperson of the Professional Board for Social Work, South African Council on Social Service Professions
A social worker with 36 years’ experience, Marie is a private practitioner specializing in adoptions and therapy for children and families. She has served as Chairperson of the PBSW for the last two years and also as an executive board member of the South African Association for Social Workers in Private Practice. She holds a PhD in Social Work.
Ms. Aziwe Magida, Chairperson of the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care Work, South African Council on Social Service Professions
Practicing as an Organizational Development Consultant for over 12 years, Aziwe has supported seven PEPFAR partners in strategic management through training and building the capacity of the partner organizations’ boards for improved governance. She has also established monitoring and evaluation systems.
Moderator:
Ms. Zenuella (Zeni) Sugantha Thumbadoo, Deputy Director, National Association of Child Care Workers, South Africa, and Steering Committee member, Global Social Service Workforce Alliance
Zeni has dedicated her working life to the children’s sector in South Africa – in direct service provision, contributing to children’s policy and legislation, advocacy, and model development. Since 1997 she has worked as the Deputy Director of the National Association of Child Care Workers. She currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care Work of the SACSSP. She has served on the Global Service Workforce Alliance Steering Committee since the organization’s launch in 2013.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
08:00 EST Washington, DC / 15:00 South Africa