This study explores the social work profession and its related education programmes in post-apartheid South Africa. Changes in government social policy have had a substantial impact on the focus, approach and methods of social security and social service delivery in South Africa since 1994. As the implementers of government social policy, social work professionals have been at the forefront of grappling with the practicalities of these changes.

Social Work in Social Change examines developments in the education and training of social workers within the democratic dispensation, the most significant of which is the development of a national, standardised Bachelor of Social Work degree. The study also reveals that the dominant profile in student enrolment and graduation statistics has changed from largely white female to predominantly African female, and that enrolment has increased significantly.

However, the study also shows that graduation trends have been negative and losses due to emigration are an additional concern. Given the scarcity of these professionals against the demand for their services, understanding the factors that contribute to this picture are critical for effective intervention.

Author Information

At the time of writing, Nicci Earle was a senior researcher in the Education, Science and Skills Development research programme of the HSRC.
176pp, R 210.00, 978 0 7969 2208 3, February 2008
HSRC Press publications are available in print and for free download. You can either purchase this publication in hard copy or download it for free off the website.