Abstract: Submission #77

Abstract Challenging life experiences can impact any individual’s present-day functioning and achievement of goals and dreams. This has given rise and endorsement of trauma-informed care and practice globally, including in Africa. This calls for curriculum development as a direct means of transmitting professional ideals and values from current academics to future generations of social work practitioners, activists and researchers. Although some social work academics in schools of social work in Africa adopt radical positionality in their writing and teaching, very few social work programmes incorporate critical perspectives in their social work curriculum. This paper is not questioning people’s challenging life experiences, but rather it acknowledges that emotional distress and pain is a reality for many and that it can have harmful consequences. It also emphasizes that transformative social work training ought to include sensitive, helpful, and relational responses - ensuring appropriate social supports and interpersonal connections, rather than specific trauma-based interventions.