SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

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What do Child, Family, and School Social Workers do?

Child, Family, and School Social Workers are professionals dedicated to supporting children and their families in various life situations. They primarily work within educational settings, but their roles can extend to community organizations, healthcare facilities, and direct family services. These social workers focus on addressing the emotional, psychological, and social challenges that children may face, particularly those related to family dynamics, social interactions, and academic performance. They provide counseling, advocacy, and resources to help families cope with issues such as abuse, neglect, mental health problems, and poverty. By collaborating with teachers, parents, and healthcare providers, Child, Family, and School Social Workers develop strategies to improve the well-being of children and enhance their learning experiences, ensuring that they have a supportive environment both at school and at home.

What the work actually is

  • Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
  • Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
  • Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
  • Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
  • Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Administrative Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Associate's degree

A normal week

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Getting Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Data base user interface and query software Microsoft Access · Student information systems SIS software
  • Computer based training software EasyCBM
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Medical software Patient electronic medical record EMR software
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook

Tools

  • Photocopiers Photocopying equipment
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Laser printers Computer laser printers
  • Special purpose telephones Multi-line telephone systems
  • Laser fax machine Laser facsimile machines

Who it suits

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

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Questions people ask

How much do Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn in South Africa?

Child, Family, and School Social Workers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Child, Family, and School Social Workers do?

Maintain case history records and prepare reports, Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs and Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.