industry body proposed for social workers
05 February 2008
 
The Department of Social Development intends introducing the draft Bill in Parliament during 2008 to replace the outdated Social Service Professions Act of 1978.  The draft Bill hopes to establish a South African Council for Social Service Professions.

It is envisaged this Council would control registration of social workers, student social workers, and social auxiliary workers, amongst others.  The objectives of the Council are to advise Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya on any matters affecting the social service professions; any proposed amendments to the Act; and any other matters arising from or connected to applying this Act.

Other duties of the Council would include advising and consulting with relevant public authorities on matters affecting the social service professions, investigating and reporting on any issues affecting them.

According to the draft Bill, the Council must also ensure that it has and maintains effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial and risk management and internal control.

Some of the objectives of the Bill include:

·        advancing social justice by promoting developmental social services; 
·        promoting and protecting the interests of the public in matters involving the social service professions; 
·        advance the interests of the social service professions; 
·        promote professional and ethical standards;
·        promote the standard and quality of education and training and
·        provide disciplinary action in respect of professional conduct by social service professions.

Comments can be emailed to Civil Legodu at CivilL@dsd.gov.za or Justice Muthindivhane at justicemu@dsd.gov.za by 25 February 2008

The draft Bill can be found at: www.pmg.org.za/gazettes/080125socdev-socialsbill.pdf or in the Government Gazette.

Seshnee Govender,  www.buanews.co.za