PLUMBING THE BRAIN DRAIN OF SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL WORKERS MIGRATING TO THE UK: CHALLENGES FOR SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

This article reports research that was undertaken to uncover generalisations pertaining to themigration of South African social workers to the United Kingdom (UK). The intention was toidentify challenges for the future contribution of social service providers in South African if localsocial workers are to be retained in the country. In the South African social work milieu it isrecognised formally and informally that a significant number of social workers migrated to the UKduring the first decade after democracy. This can be classified as a distinct brain drain of socialworkers, which has a vital impact on social service delivery and social development (BusinessDay, 2005; Cape Times, 2004; Louw, 2003:xv-xvi; Herald, 2005). However, verifiable data on thebrain drain phenomenon in social work are not available (Business Day, 2005). With reference toSaravia and Miranda’s (2004) use of the metaphor, a plumbing of the South African socialworkers’ brain drain to the UK is thus needed. This plumbing is effected by describing theresearch design and methodology, sketching the background for the survey, reporting the surveyresults, and identifying challenges for social service provider

Editorial

This edition of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk offers a range of themes to the reader, with topics focusing on income-generating activities, homelessness, gangsterism, substance abuse, effective parenting, sexual orientation, community development practitioner profiling and supervision of social workers

Editorial

This second edition in 2023 of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk offers eight articles with themes centred on social work during the hitherto unknown Covid-19 pandemic, child protection, supervision in different contexts and substance abuse respectively

Perceptions of high school principals on instructional leadership and implications for practice and professional development

The purpose of this study was: (a) to determine how Iowa high school principals perceive their instructional leadership practice as defined by ISSL/ISLLC Standard 2 and the knowledge, dispositions, and performance descriptors; (b) to determine which Standard 2 indicators are most essential for the high school principal\u27s instructional leadership practice; (c) to determine if the practices of high school principals as instructional leaders align with the identified essential indicators of Standard 2; (d) to define and describe how Iowa high school principals define instructional leadership; (e) to determine if demographics impact the instructional leadership practices of Iowa\u27s high school principals; (f) to determine what sources of professional development are most helpful for actual instructional leadership practice; and (g) to determine what professional development needs principals have in relationship to the ISSL/ISLLC Standards. The framework for this study was Standard 2 of the ISSL/ISLLC Standards. The ISSL/ISLLC Standards are the new standards for licensure and re-licensure of Iowa school principals. This study included both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Surveys were sent to 365 Iowa high school principals and as part of the survey, principals were asked to nominate peers they considered exemplary instructional leaders. Six nominated principals were personally interviewed at their school sites. The major finding of the study was the congruence between the high school principals\u27 perceptions of their instructional leadership proficiencies and those descriptors of instructional leadership deemed most essential for instructional leadership. In addition, the interviews not only yielded similar information as the surveys, but also added richness to the description of instructional leadership practices in Iowa high schools. Findings from the study will be usable for principals, preparation institutions, professional development organizations, and the Department of Education. An understanding of ISSL/ISLLC Standard 2 and the essential knowledge, dispositions, and knowledge descriptors is imperative for the development and support of principals who can lead and manage an educational program focused on teaching and learning

Social work in South Africa: context, concepts and some critical reflections

South Africa adopted a social development approach towards social welfare after the first democratic elections of the country in 1994. On a continuum of social service delivery, the primary target group is the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable people. It appears however after two decades of democracy, that social development, as intended in government policies, differs drastically from practice realities. However, strengths imbedded in the social work profession throughout the history of South Africa are shielding social workers from despair and disillusionment that may erode their pride and professionalism.Sudáfrica adoptó un enfoque de desarrollo social orientado hacia el bienestar social después de las primeras elecciones democráticas que hubo en el país en 1994. Una asistencia continua de servicios sociales se destina al grupo más pobre entre los indigentes y las personas más vulnerables. Después de dos décadas de democracia, se tiene la impresión que el desarrollo social así como lo consideran las políticas de gobierno no corresponde con las prácticas en la realidad. Sin embargo, los puntos fuertes de la profesión en el ámbito del trabajo social a través de la historia de Sudáfrica, protegen a los trabajadores sociales de la desesperación y la desilusión que afectan su orgullo y profesionalidad.Il Sudafrica ha adottato un approccio allo sviluppo nelle proprie politi-che sociali dopo le prime elezioni democratiche del 1994. Nell'ambito dell'erogazione dei servizi sociali, il principale gruppo dei destinatari è rappresentato dai più poveri tra la popolazione indigente e vulnerabile. Dopo due decenni di democrazia appare chiaro che lo sviluppo sociale, come inteso nelle politiche del governo, sia drasticamente diverso dalla realtà. Tuttavia, i punti di forza sviluppati dal servizio sociale profes-sionale nel corso della storia del Sudafrica stanno proteggendo gli assi-stenti sociali dallo sconforto e dalla disillusione che potrebbero erodere il loro orgoglio e la loro professionalità

MANAGEMENT TASKS OF SOCIAL WORKERS SUPERVISING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) CENTRES: IDENTIFYING THE AREAS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Early Childhood Development (ECD) has become a priority area of social work, in both developed and developing countries. In this article, the term ECD supervisors refers to the social workers working with ECD centres in the capacity of supervisor. These social workers can provide valuable insight into the unique management tasks and associated professional development areas uniquely required when working in the ECD sector. The goal of this conceptual article is to identify these professional development areas of management tasks required from social workers who supervise ECD centres. Ultimately, these management tasks are synthesised into three categories, namely tasks which require technical, relational and administrative skills respectively. This is an attempt to preserve the institutional memory of South African social workers, given the current shift of ECD governance functions from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education

The Life Cycle Assessment of Cyanide Containers in Ghana

As a precious metal gold has been valued by humanity from time immemorial. Today gold is turned into gold bars forming the basis of the World’s international monetary system. When complexed in ore gold needs to undergo metallurgical extraction processes to eliminate unwanted ions before being smelted and used as the metal. Cyanide is used during these metallurgical processes. The economy of the West African country of Ghana relies heavily on gold production for its economic sustainability. Most of the gold mining companies in Ghana have international origins and receive most of their input for gold extraction from international sources. Sodium cyanide is imported into Ghana in  wooden intermediate bulk containers for further distribution to the mining companies. A life cycle assessment was completed to determine the burden that this packaging, which includes the wooden intermediate bulk container, a polyethylene liner and a polypropylene liner places on the environment when they are disposed. The International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO) 14040 management standard was used as a methodological framework in which the goal and scope was defined, a life cycle inventory and life cycle impact assessment was conducted. This enabled the most important issues to be identified. In the final phase consistency, completeness and sensitivity tests were completed and the results interpreted.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AN INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISION SESSION? REFLECTIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

This article reports on qualitative research, aimed at acquiring an understanding of what transpires in an individual social work supervision session in South Africa. Findings reveal that supervision sessions are chiefly “open door” and “on the run”, with minimal evidence of critical reflection. A key recommendation stresses that the evolution of supervision in the country should enter a new phase as response to the hegemony of a neoliberal inspired managerial discourse in social work. The deliberate utilisation of more clinical educational and supportive elements, and critical reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action in supervision sessions is therefore recommended