Social Worker Courses
A social work course typically entails the study of theories and practices related to helping people in need, promoting social justice and addressing social problems. Some of the topics covered in a social work course may include human behaviour, the social environment, diversity and social justice, research practices and field work.
There are many institutions in South Africa that offer Social Work courses in South Africa which include the University of Cape Town, Unisa, University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University but there are also a few colleges that offer social worker courses.
Here are the colleges that offer social work courses:
Once you have obtained a qualification in social work, there are a variety of sectors that you can enter into depending on which level of social work qualification you have.
The Social Work Sectors Include:
- Social development
- Social policy
- Community development
- Family development and guidance
- Violence and abuse
- Social work intervention with children and youth
- Foster care and adoption
- Statutory services
- Gerontology (old age, the process of ageing, and the particular challenges faced by old people)
- Crime prevention
- Health and mental health
- Substance abuse
- People with disabilities
- Employee assistance programmes
- Academia and research
TVET Colleges That Offer Social Work
Some TVET Colleges in South African offer Social Work or Social Development courses. If you are interested in studying Social Work then approach your local TVET College and ask them whether they offer a Social Work course that you can study.
What Do Social Workers Do?
A social worker helps people overcome difficult challenges in their life. The obstacles that they help people overcome include poverty, addiction, unemployment, disability, abuse, mental illness, and a variety of problems that affect communities.
The clients of social workers usually have unique needs which require that they have them to adapt to the situation and come up with a treatment plan and this is why Social workers need a range of skills which include professional, emotional and cognitive skills.
Overall, social work courses aim to prepare students for a career in the social work field, where they can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable populations and promote social change.
