Social Auxiliary Workers as the “Cinderellas” of Supervision: The Case of John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Northern Cape Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/16576Keywords:
capacity and training, social auxiliary workers, social work, supervisionAbstract
The supervision of social auxiliary workers has received little attention, both in research and supervision practice. Social auxiliary workers are trained and qualified to support the services of qualified social workers. Yet, despite their importance in social welfare service delivery, social auxiliary workers are seen as the stepchild to social workers and are often neglected in terms of receiving supervision for their professional duties. This article explores how social auxiliary workers experience supervision to guide their daily activities. Although there are a few studies on the supervision experiences of social auxiliary workers in South Africa, there are no previous studies focused on the Northern Cape province. This article is based on a qualitative study that used an exploratory and descriptive research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from six social auxiliary workers in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District of the Northern Cape. Using Tesch’s eight steps of analysis, the findings reveal the inconsistent use of the role and function of supervision in developing the capacity and training of social auxiliary workers and the implications of ineffective supervision. A key recommendation is that social auxiliary workers should have mandatory, structured and supportive supervision to uphold the professional purpose of employing social auxiliary workers in the context of social service delivery to vulnerable populations.
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Woods, R. 1992. “Training of Social Work Assistants in and for Rual Areas: The Hungarian ‘szocialis asszisztens’ as a model for South Africa's Rural Social Services.” Social Work/ Maatskaplike Werk 28 (3): 29‒35.
Zibengwa, E. 2016. The Perceptions of Social Auxiliary Workers on their Roles and Competencies in Addressing Biopsychosocial Needs of Children with HIV in Drop-in Centres. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.
Zibengwa, E., and N. J. Bila. 2021. “The Roles of Social Auxiliary Workers in Drop-in Centres: Addressing the Biopsychosocial Needs of Children Living With HIV.” Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk 57 (2): 193‒213. https://doi.org/10.15270/57-2-929
Zutshi, H., and F. McDonnell. 2007. “Providing Effective Supervision: CWDC Skills for Care.” Accessed April 20, 2023. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/18884/1/Effective_Supervision_unit.pdf
Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2006. “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology.” Qualitative Research in Psychology 3 (2): 77–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Bree, A., and M. Canaverab. 2018. “Expert Understandings of Supervision as a Means to Strengthen the Social Service Workforce: Results From a Global Delphi Study.” European Journal of Social Work 21 (3): 333-347. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2017.1399352
Caras, A., and A. Sandu. 2014. “The Role of Supervision in Professional Development of Social Work Specialists.” Journal of Social Work Practice 28 (1): 75-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2012.763024
Carey, M. 2012. Qualitative Research Skills For Social Work: Theory and Practice. UK: Ashgate.
Chibaya, H. 2018. “The Execution of Individual Reflective Supervision Sessions: Experiences of Intermediate Frontline Social Workers.” Master’s diss., Stellenbosch University. https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/48e48d9e-fbd5-4d8a-af3e-ad44e97fd5d1
Chibaya, N. H., and L. K. Engelbrecht. 2022. “What is Happening in a Supervision Session? Reflections of Social Workers in South Africa.” Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk 58 (4): 520-545. https://doi.org/10.15270/58-4-1079
Cloete, V. 2012. “The Features and Use of Mentoring as an Activity in Supervision of Newly Qualified Social Workers.” Unpublished Master’s diss., Stellenbosch University.
Creswell, J. 2013. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
De Kock, D. 1999. Child and Youth Care and Social Auxiliary Workers as Occupational Groups in Social Welfare. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.
Department of Social Development (DSD). 1993. Rules Relating to the Acts or Omissions of a Social Worker, A Social Auxiliary Worker or A Student Social Worker Which Shall Constitute Unprofessional or Improper Conduct. Pretoria: Government Printing works.
Department of Social Development (DSD) and South African Council of Social Service Professionals (SACSSP). 2012. Supervision Framework for Social Work Profession. Pretoria: Government Printing works.
Engelbrecht, L. K. 2019. “Towards Authentic Supervision of Social Workers in South Africa.” Clinical Supervisor 38 (2): 301‒325. https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2019.1587728
Falender, C. A., and E. Shafranske. 2004. Clinical Supervision: A Competency-based Approach. Washington: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10806-000
Fouché, C., and S. Geyer. 2021. “Developing the Research Proposal.” In Research at Grass Roots: For the Social Sciences and Human Service Professions. 5th ed., edited by C. B. Fouché, H. Strydom, and W. J. H. Roestenburg. 73‒91. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
Goliath, J. 2018. “Management Functions of Frontline Social Workers Supervising Social Auxiliary Workers.” Masters diss., Stellenbosch University.
Greef, M. 2011. “Information Collection: Interviewing.” In Research at Grass Roots: For the Social Sciences and Human Service Professions, 341‒375. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
Gxashe, N. M. 2018. “Window to Everyday Experiences of a Social Development.” Southern African Reflections on Social Work and Social Justice 22 (3): 109‒115.
Hendricks, S., D. J. Cartwright, and R. G. Cowden. 2021. “Clinical Supervision in South Africa: Perceptions Of Supervision Training, Practices, and Professional Competencies.” South African Journal of Science 117 (3/4): 1‒9. http://doi: 10.17159/sajs.2021/7428
Kadushin, A., and D. Harkness. 2014. Supervision in Social Work. New York: Columbia University Press. https://doi.org/10.7312/kadu15176
Kiger, M. E., and L. Vapio. 2020. “Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Data: AMEE Guide No. 131.” Medical Teacher 42 (8): 846‒854. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1755030
Manthosi, F. L., and J. C. Makhubele. 2016. “Impact of Supervision on Social Worker's Job Performance: Implications for Service Delivery.” Article published in: SAAPAM Limpopo Chapter 5th Annual Conference Proceedings, University of Limpopo, 49‒56.
Mbau, M. F. 2005. “The Educational Function of Social Work Supervision in the Department of Health and Welfare in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province.” Masters diss., University of Pretoria.
Nadesan, V. 2020. “Social Work Supervision in a Developing Country Experiences of Students.” The Indian Journal of Social Work: 263‒282. https://doi.org/10.32444/IJSW.2020.81.3.263-282
Ncube, M. 2019. “Conceptualising Social Development Supervision in Social Work.” The Indian Journal of Social Work 80 (1): 31‒46. https://doi.org/10.32444/IJSW.2018.80.1.31-46
Parker, L. 2017. “Essential Professional Competencies of Social Work Supervisors in a Non-profit Welfare Organisation.” PhD diss., Stellenbosch University.
Roby, J. 2016. The Evidence Base on the Social Service Workforce: Current Knowledge, Gaps and Future Research Direction. Washington, DC: Global Social Service Workforce Alliance.
Schultz, P. 2015. “Social Auxiliary Work.” In Introduction to Social Work in the South African Context. South Africa: Oxford University Press.
Shenton, A. K. 2004. “Strategies for Ensuring Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research Projects.” Education for Information 22 (2004): 63‒75. https://doi.org/10.3233/EFI-2004-22201
South African Council of Social Service Professions (SACSSP). 2006. Policy Guidelines for Course of Conduct, Code of Ethics and the Rules for Social Workers. Pretoria: Government Printing works.
South African Council of Social Service Professions (SACSSP). 2007. “Information Brochure: South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).” Accessed April 20, 2023. https://sacssp.mm3.co.za/Registrations/download/52
South African Council of Social Service Professions (SACSSP). 2016. “Scope of practice: Social Work Final Draft.” Accessed April 20, 2023. https://silo.tips/download/scope-of-practice-social-work-final-draft
South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). 2014. “Higher Certificate in Social Auxiliary Work”. Accessed April 20, 2023. https://allqs.saqa.org.za/showQualification.php?id=93971
Swanepoel, E. 2015. “Maatskaplike Werkers Sit Ledig: Tekorte en Probleme Met Registrasie.” Accessed April 20, 2023. https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/Nuus/Maatskaplike-werkers-sit-ledig-20151018
Tesch, R. 1992. Qualitative Research: Analysis Types and Software Tools. New York: Falmer.
Tsui, M. S. 2005. “Functions of Social Work Supervision in Hong Kong.” International Social Work 48 (4): 485‒493.https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872805053471
Woods, R. 1992. “Training of Social Work Assistants in and for Rual Areas: The Hungarian ‘szocialis asszisztens’ as a model for South Africa's Rural Social Services.” Social Work/ Maatskaplike Werk 28 (3): 29‒35.
Zibengwa, E. 2016. The Perceptions of Social Auxiliary Workers on their Roles and Competencies in Addressing Biopsychosocial Needs of Children with HIV in Drop-in Centres. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.
Zibengwa, E., and N. J. Bila. 2021. “The Roles of Social Auxiliary Workers in Drop-in Centres: Addressing the Biopsychosocial Needs of Children Living With HIV.” Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk 57 (2): 193‒213. https://doi.org/10.15270/57-2-929
Zutshi, H., and F. McDonnell. 2007. “Providing Effective Supervision: CWDC Skills for Care.” Accessed April 20, 2023. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/18884/1/Effective_Supervision_unit.pdf
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Published
2024-10-11
How to Cite
De Jager, Tiffany, and Varoshini Nadesan. 2024. “Social Auxiliary Workers As the ‘Cinderellas’ of Supervision: The Case of John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Northern Cape Province”. Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development 36 (3):18 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/16576.
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