The experiences of newly qualified social workers’ readiness in providing services to families and children in Gauteng

Abstract

The readiness of newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) for practice appears to be a growing area of research, however, there is little focus on the perspectives and experiences of NQSWs’ readiness to provide services to families and children in the South African context. Therefore, research within the South African context specifically pertaining to NQSWs’ perceived work readiness to provide Social Work Services (SWS) to families and children is needed.

The goal of this study was to explore and describe NQSWs’ experiences regarding their work readiness to provide social work services to families and children in Gauteng. Interpretivism as a research paradigm guided the applied research project operationalised through a qualitative research approach. An instrumental case study design was employed and the study population comprised NQSWs in the employ of organisations rendering SWS to families and children in the Gauteng Province. Purposive sampling was used to recruit seven participants for the study and data was collected to the point of data saturation. Semi-structured interviews with an interview schedule were utilised for data collection. The method of data analysis was thematic analysis with an inductive and latent approach for coding. To ensure that qualitative research is of the appropriate standard, trustworthiness is vital. The researcher, therefore, ensured trustworthiness with consideration of the study’s credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Ethical considerations that guided this study included avoidance of harm, informed consent, voluntary participation, no deception of participants, and anonymity and confidentiality.

Key findings were based on the research question: “What are the experiences of newly qualified social workers providing social work services to families and children in Gauteng regarding their work readiness to provide these services?” Participants indicated that they did feel somewhat ready for work after graduating from university, however once they started working, they realised that they were not ready. Some participants, however, did not feel ready after graduating, especially if they did not have experience in the field of social work they were about to enter. Participants suggested that educators and organisations employing NQSWs should collaborate to equip them for the challenging transition period between graduating and entering the workforce. Participants identified systemic challenges which included: lack of resources, high caseloads, lack of support from the Department of Social Development as well as difficulties working in collaboration with other organisations or systems providing services to families and children.

Recommendations for the social work profession concerning the work readiness of NQSWs in rendering SWS to families and children include practical guidelines for social work education and practice, also the roles and responsibilities of organisations employing NQSWs. Recommendations for future research emphasise the need for South African based research.