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269 submissions
| # Sort descending | Operations | Status | Status | Title | Lastname | Firstname | Institution | Title of Presentatation | Theme Selection | Abstract | SID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Bottoman-mdlankomo | Andiswa pamella | pamellamdlankomo78@gmail.com | University of kwazulu natal | The Impact of Neoliberal Ideology on Service Delivery in Historically Resource Deprived Communities, Disrupting Incompetency. | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises | Neoliberal ideology has intensely shaped public service delivery, often prioritizing market-driven solutions over equitable access to resources. In this paper we have explored the effects of neoliberal policies on historically resource-deprived communities, where systemic underfunding and privatization have worsened inequalities. We analyzed a vignette shared of a lived experience of a history of paternalistic service delivery services for many African people during apartheid. We use the vignette to illustrate the situations that families who have historically experienced racial discrimination, marginalization, and exploitation continue to experience resource deprivation, even as apartheid policies have long been outlawed and even in the contemporary political context that affirms Batho Pele principles, meaning ‘People First’. We highlighted how cost-cutting measures, deregulation, and public-private partnerships have frequently led to disorganizations and exclusions rather than improved services. Moreover, we explored how these communities resist and disrupt incompetency through public organization, policy advocacy, and alternative service models. These discourses challenged main narratives that frame neoliberalism as a fundamentally resourceful governance model and instead exposed its failures in addressing structural inequities. In the paper, we argued for a paradigm shift toward community-centered governance that prioritizes social welfare over profit motives. Therefore, in centering historically marginalized voices, we propose pathways for transformative service delivery that is both competent and just. Keywords: Neoliberalism, Service Delivery, Resource-Deprived Communities, Governance and Inequality, Disrupting Incompetency |
794 | |
| 44 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Mlotshwa | Thenjiwe andiswa | 214501354@stu.ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu natal | Gender-Based Violence Disclosures (Izigaxa) of Young Women Enrolled in a Socioeconomic and Curriculum-Based Programme in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Opportunities for Integrating Trauma-informed Care | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Young women enrolled in HIV clinical research programmes encounter adverse psychosocial challenges related to Gender-based Violence (GBV) which hinders social progress. In South Africa, young women often carry the burden of HIV/AIDS, while also being the survivors of GBV. The duality of these issues presents a challenge in addressing issues of public healthcare, gender equality and socioeconomic development which are key for social progress. However, it also presents an opportunity for clinical research sites to be proactive and intentional in the formulation and implementation of Women’s Empowerment Programmes (WEPs). There is a dearth of literature exploring the role played by WEPs in supporting GBV survivors and how this contributes to social progress. This gap underscores the need for more research focused on how WEP facilitators navigate disclosures and provide psychosocial support to empower GBV survivors participating in such programmes. In this paper, we focus on a nine-month Socioeconomic Empowerment and Curriculum-based Programme (SECP) at the Females Rising through Education, Support and Health (FRESH) HIV research clinic. We explored SECP team’s perspectives on the GBV-related experiences shared by young women enrolled in the programme. Thematic analysis was used to unpack the narratives of twelve members of the SECP team who play a direct role in facilitating and interacting with participants. The findings firstly highlighted how SECP facilitators frame young women’s experiences of GBV as Izigaxa (lumps). Secondly, the impacts of exchange-based relationships on young women’s vulnerability to GBV and thirdly, trauma-informed approaches employed by SECP facilitators in the management of GBV disclosures. The findings outline the resources and support that SECP team require for improving the management of GBV disclosures. Ultimately, highlighting the important role of WEPs in bridging the gap between clinical research and support for GBV survivors. | 797 | |
| 45 | Accepted | Pending Review | Mr. | Kabasia | Onkemetse | Onkemetse.Kabasia@gauteng.gov.za | Gauteng provincial government | South Africa's path to a developmental state: A managerial analysis of the Department of Social Development's transition | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | This study critically examines the transition of South Africa’s Department of Social Development (DSD) from a welfare-oriented model to a developmental approach within the broader objective of establishing a developmental state. It investigates managerial, strategic, and structural factors influencing this shift through an in-depth analysis of policy documents, strategic plans, and historical data. Key barriers identified include policy incoherence, disparities in resource allocation, and capacity constraints, all hindering the realisation of the intended developmental outcomes. Anchored in South Africa’s socio-economic transformation agenda, as outlined in the 1994 Reconstruction and Development Programme, the study contextualises this transition within national efforts to promote equitable development and reduce poverty and inequality. The literature review explores the theoretical underpinnings of transformative developmentalism and welfarism, drawing comparative insights from the East Asian developmental model, which has informed aspects of South Africa’s approach. Findings reveal a persistent misalignment between policy intentions and outcomes, reinforcing path dependency rather than fostering self-reliance. The study argues for an integrated, coherent policy framework aligning social development objectives with inclusive, expansive economic strategies. It recommends strengthened policy coherence, equitable resource distribution, and capacity-building to enhance the DSD’s role in driving developmental outcomes and addressing socio-economic disparities. The study employs a Radical Humanist paradigm, grounded in Critical Theory, to interrogate systemic inequalities and power dynamics that sustain an inequitable status quo. A qualitative research approach was adopted, using document analysis to collect textual data from policy documents, strategic plans, and institutional frameworks. Purposive sampling targeted official documents from the DSD and related agencies to explore strategic and operational transitions. Data were thematically analysed, with verification ensured through triangulation across multiple data sources. This non-human participant study contributes actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners navigating South Africa’s social development transition. |
798 | |
| 46 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Nkoebele | Nthatisi | nnkoebele31@gmail.com | University of the witwatersrand | Beyond the Rhetoric: Assessing the Impact of NGO-Led Poverty Eradication Initiatives in the Qwaqwa Region of the Eastern Free State | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | This study sought to explore the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in poverty eradication in Qwa-Qwa, located in the Eastern Free State. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilising a case study design and purposive sampling techniques to select participants. The sample comprised thirteen individuals, including nine from three NGOs, three from the Department of Social Development, and one Local Economic Development manager. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews guided by an interview framework. Thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step framework and undergirded by the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach which is holistic and helps in understanding livelihoods, particularly those of people in rural areas and was applied to interpret the data. The findings underscored that NGOs play a crucial role in eradicating poverty in Qwa-Qwa through their respective strategies. However, NGOs faced several challenges that hindered their effectiveness in addressing poverty issues in the region. These challenges included insufficient funding, lack of stakeholder support, a shortage of volunteers, community disengagement, and corruption. It is essential to support NGOs in rural areas by providing the necessary resources through multi-stakeholder collaborations to alleviate poverty effectively. This study concluded that NGOs, the government, and private partners must adopt intentional and pragmatic approaches to poverty eradication and be equipped with the necessary skills to tackle complex poverty challenges. Finally, NGOs must be recognised as catalysts for poverty eradication efforts in rural communities, and all initiatives should be supported. Keywords: Non-Governmental Organizations; poverty eradication; rural development; stakeholder collaborations; community development. |
799 | |
| 47 | Pending Review | Pending Review | Dr. | Van straaten | Martha | vanstraatenmm@ufs.ac.za | University of the free state | Proposed integrated disaster risk reduction social work framework for teaching, research, and practice to enhance mental health and psychosocial support services | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Despite international and national agreements, guidelines, laws, and policies designed to ensure effective disaster management and social work services, vulnerable communities and multidisciplinary frontline responders often face significant challenges in accessing essential mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS) during disasters. The novel Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak further exacerbated these challenges in South Africa, revealing critical policy-practice gaps. This study aimed to address these gaps by integrating the Disaster Risk Management Helix, the Eco-Social Model, and the Resilience Theory into a newly conceptualised theoretical and practical framework, viz., the proposed Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction Social Work (IDRRSW) Framework. Using a cross-sectional convergent sequential mixed-method approach to interview social workers in Mangaung Metro, the emerging qualitative themes were triangulated with the quantitative data to determine similarities and differences in the social workers’ responses during the different lockdown levels. The study resulted in the proposed IDRRSW Framework incorporating key lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. The framework outlines key definitions and the theoretical foundations underpinning its design. Furthermore, it includes a quick reference legislative summary and practical guidelines aimed at supporting social workers' MHPSS efforts in disaster-stricken areas tailored to the South African context. The framework was reviewed by social work and disaster management professionals and academics, ensuring its grounding in practical expertise and theoretical knowledge. The guidelines are designed for flexible applications across various disaster scenarios, allowing adaptability to different levels of disaster impact and community needs. Presented in a user-friendly Excel sheet featuring colour-coded dropdown options, the tool is divided into two sections. The first section offers guidelines to assess and monitor social workers’ knowledge, support and resources. The second section provides guidelines across the system levels – ensuring a whole-systems approach to rendering MHPSS interventions to disaster-stricken community members and frontline responders that remain responsive, contextually appropriate, and effective. | 800 | |
| 48 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Esau | Merlene christobelle | Esaumc@ufs.ac.za | University of the free state | Enhancing Community Work Projects through a Field Instruction Programme | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Students equipped with the necessary skills could be more comfortable engaging professionally and constructively with community members, contributing towards sustainable projects where communities participate and take ownership. The Community Work Field Instruction (FI) Programme, grounded in the principles of experiential learning, aims to equip students with practical skills essential for effective community work. By participating in real-world projects, students develop a deeper understanding of diverse social issues and the dynamics of collaborative, sustainable development. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five agency supervisors and a focus group session with six second-year students. An eight-step thematic analysis tool guided the data analysis. Findings revealed both supportive and critical perspectives on the FI programme’s effectiveness. While some supervisors noted that students engaged meaningfully with the community, others observed a preference for easier, self-serving projects. Students’ creativity was limited, with few innovative efforts reported. All supervisors stressed the importance of encouraging creative thinking and using recycled materials to develop helping aids. Some students acknowledged that the facilitation classes, including role plays, helped develop communication, facilitation and problem-solving skills. While others reported these as overly simplified compared to real-life scenarios. To improve the FI programme, all participants suggested clearer role definitions, stronger professional boundaries, and enhanced training in time management, communication and digital skills. Supervisors further recommended aligning students’ attributes with community placements, incorporating more hands-on activities and involving agencies more directly. They emphasised that supervisors should have a more significant role in identifying community challenges and receive students’ reports. Students recommended more dynamic, realistic, and practical learning experiences, greater variety and creativity in teaching methods, and randomised groupings to better prepare them for practicum realities. This study underscores the value of reflective, practice-based learning in fostering professional identity and readiness for community work while highlighting opportunities for enhancing the FI programme. | 801 | |
| 49 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Setlatjile | Nkoto aletta duduetsang | setlatjiled@dsd.limpopo.gov.za | Limpopo department of social development | The attainment of Sustainable Development Goals through the application of Social Work Theory and Practice | THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Since the adoption of developmental social welfare and Social work practice spanning from the year 2005, social work profession seeks to enrich the resilience of communities and individuals. This paper interrogates whether Social Work theory and practice can be used to enhance the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Limpopo province with emphasis on goal 1, 2, 8 and 16. Methods: this paper presents findings based on desk top research, STATSSA reports on Limpopo and 1st hand accounts of social workers in the Capricorn, Vhembe and Waterberg districts in Limpopo. Results: the outcome of the research is that because Limpopo is predominately rural, the SDGs 1,2 8 and 16 are crucial areas of Social work interventions needed and using the Social Work theories such as Systems, Psychosocial development and the Rational Choice Theory enhances the attainment of these goals. Whilst the practice models Narrative Theory, Solution focused therapy and task centered practice enriches the experience and impact in communities. The findings of the study are envisaged to enrich the practice of Social Work in the Province and highlight the importance of Community Development services. |
802 | |
| 50 | Accepted | Pending Review | Ms. | Nell | Sarie | info@sarienell.co.za | University of the western caper | Proposed process guidelines for parental rights and responsibilities investigations in determining the best interests of the child in family law matters. | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | This study focused on the lack of standardised process guidelines for especially social workers in private practice who deal with family law matters regarding the best interest of the child in parental rights and responsibilities investigations. The South African Children’s Act 38 of 2005 sets out the legislation and procedures for determining the best interests of the child in terms of section 14. However, it was not clear how these stipulations should be carried out and the result was inconsistency and confusion. The aim of the study was to develop process guidelines in determining the best interests of child standard in parental responsibilities and rights investigations in the South African context. A qualitative research approach and intervention design and development research design were followed. Data collection occurred through iterative phases through a systematic review online interviews with attorneys specialising in family law matters, pilot testing of revised process guidelines, and lastly, an online Delphi study with national and international experts to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed process guidelines which obtained a consensus rating of 95%. The researcher will present the six phases of the process guidelines including a pre-investigation protocol, risk assessment, child assessment, parent-child relationship assessment, parental capacity, and collateral investigation. These phases also had related checklists that guide the social worker in private practice. Together these phases and checklists illustrates the structure of the guidelines and the kinds of tasks that the social worker will focus on throughout the phases of the investigation. The significance of the study and the guidelines are that designed for social workers who function in the legal arena pertaining to PRR investigations determining the BIC that had to rely on international guidelines that were not created with the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 in mind and the specific sections in the Children’s Act related to family law. |
803 | |
| 51 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Erlank | Elizabeth | Eerlanec@unisa.ac.za | Unisa | AGEING IN FEAR: EXPERIENCES OF OLDER PERSONS LIVING IN A HIGH-CRIME AND VIOLENT COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AFRICA | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | Policy and advocacy for peacebuilding, environmental, and social justice are critical in promoting safe, equitable communities, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older people. This study highlights how the absence of such advocacy and systemic intervention contributes to the marginalisation and fear experienced by older people living in high-crime areas of South Africa. Focusing on Eersterust, a violence-affected community in the Tshwane region, the study explores the lived experiences of older persons facing pervasive crime and insecurity. The qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants, using an ecological systems perspective grounded in social justice theory. Data were analysed using Tesch’s (1990) eight-step approach and verified through Guba and Lincoln’s model (Lietz & Zayas, 2010). Findings reveal that older persons endure emotional distress, deteriorating health, and feelings of disrespect and abandonment, exacerbated by limited access to support systems and a perceived lack of government and community intervention. These findings underscore the urgent need for robust policy and advocacy efforts that address the emotional trauma, health deterioration, social isolation, and lack of institutional support experienced by older persons—by prioritising peacebuilding strategies to reduce community violence and promoting social justice through improved access to mental health services, social work intervention, and coordinated stakeholder engagement. The lack of coordinated stakeholder involvement reflects a broader systemic neglect that policy interventions must urgently address. In response to these gaps, participants have developed coping strategies, such as avoidance, self-protective behaviours, and community safety networks, highlighting the resilience of older persons and the need for formalised support structures. The research study calls for enhanced mental health and emotional support, improved access to social work services, and stronger coordination among governmental and community stakeholders to promote ageing in place in violent environments. |
805 | |
| 52 | Accepted | Accepted | Mr. | Mamukeyani | Eric | ericmamukeyani@gmail.com | University of limpopo | THERE IS A NEED TO REVISE, REVAMP AND REDUCE THE SOCIAL WORK PAPERWORK | THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice | Background Administration is an integral part of social work practice. However, excessive administration can be counterproductive to service delivery as it can affect job satisfaction. Administrative tasks such as completing forms, assessment tools, writing reports, and filing can be overwhelming and lead to exhaustion, impeding productivity and compromising the quality of services. Methodology The scoping literature review aimed to understand the impact of too much paperwork on social workers. Six related papers out of 12 from 2019 to 2025 were searched and obtained from research engines such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Sabinet, using keywords: Social Work, administration, tools, and paperwork. The thematic analysis was applied coming up with, whereby three major themes. Results The study revealed that too much paperwork, especially excessive paperwork, causes physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and compromised productivity in social workers. Very demanding and excessive paperwork, such as the pressure to complete prescribed forms perfectly, lengthy assessment tools and reports, monthly reports, reaching performance indicator targets, and preparing hardcopy files for audit checks increases unbearable pressure to social workers consuming their energy and time to provide impactful services to clients in the communities leading to increased absenteeism from work, poor client treatment, and eventually leaving the profession. Conclusions/recommendations As far as these findings are concerned, it is recommended that the administration in Social Work be reduced, through introducing computerised systems, case management software, and digital paper tools, use of apps which can capture and send information quickly. This can help with case administration, client tracking, documentation, and communications. Keywords: Administration, Revise, Social work, Tools, Paperwork, Digital |
807 | |
| 53 | Accepted | Accepted | Mr. | Mzinyane | Bongane | MzinyaneB@ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu-natal | The Intersecting “Daily Disasters” or Injustice(s): Inequality, Spatial Vulnerability, and Environmental Injustice in South Africa - A Green Social Work Perspective | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | This paper utilizes intersectionality theory to critically analyze the daily lived experiences of disaster for marginalized communities in South Africa, where the interwoven axes of inequality (e.g., race, class, gender, disability), spatial vulnerability, human rights violations, social injustice, and environmental injustice converge. From a green social work perspective, we argue that these are not discrete issues but rather mutually reinforcing systems of oppression that create chronic and acute vulnerabilities. Intersectionality allows us to move beyond singular categories of disadvantage to understand how the cumulative impact of historical and ongoing discrimination shapes differential exposure and capacity to cope with environmental degradation, lack of access to basic services, and systemic human rights abuses. This analysis highlights how spatial apartheid continues to concentrate marginalized populations in environmentally degraded and service-deprived areas, exacerbating their susceptibility to both everyday hardships and climate change-related shocks. By foregrounding the lived experiences of those at the intersections of these inequalities, this paper underscores the urgent need for social work interventions and policy reforms that adopt an intersectional lens to promote social and environmental justice, uphold human rights, and address the root causes of these “daily disasters”. Key Words: Daily Disasters; Inequality; Spatial Vulnerability; Environmental Injustice; Green Social Work |
810 | |
| 54 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Ntini | Edmore | Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu-natal | Reclaiming Political Social Work: Confronting Depoliticisation in Community Development Practice | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Beyond Service Delivery: Reclaiming Political Social Work as a Catalyst for Transformative Community Development by Dr. Edmore Ntini E-mail: Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za (Business) /eddiemza@gmail.com (Personal) Phone: +27 648090878/031 260 2289 ABSTRACT Political Social Work and Community Development are often positioned as complementary forces addressing social inequalities. However, this paper critically argues that mainstream Community Development has been co-opted into a depoliticised, service-oriented framework that reinforces systemic oppression rather than dismantling it. Drawing on Critical Social Theory and Structural Social Work Theory, this study challenges the assumption that Political Social Work Community Development are inherently transformative. Instead, it contends that Political Social Work must reclaim its role as a disruptive force that mobilises communities, challenges oppressive power structures, and demands systemic change. This research employs a qualitative analytical approach, examining historical and contemporary case studies where Political Social Work has successfully driven structural transformation. Key findings reveal that service delivery models often neutralise resistance, prioritising bureaucratic efficiency over genuine empowerment. Additionally, funding mechanisms frequently suppress radical advocacy, forcing social work practitioners into compliance with neoliberal governance structures. The study recommends re-politicising Political Social Work through grassroots organising, policy advocacy, and education reforms in social work training. Alternative funding models, such as cooperative economies and independent coalitions, are proposed to sustain politically engaged social work. Ultimately, this paper asserts that Political Social Work can only fulfil its transformative potential when it operates within a framework of political activism, challenging rather than accommodating systemic inequalities. By reclaiming its political roots, Social Work can become an active agent of social justice, shifting power from institutions to the communities it serves. Keywords: Political Social Work, Community Development, Structural Transformation, Neoliberalism, Grassroots Organising, Social Justice [267] |
811 | |
| 55 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Motloung | Siphiwe | Motloungs@ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu-natal | The Black Man's Environment: The Relevance of Steve Biko’s Ideas in Analysing the Interlocking Struggles for Racial, Decolonial, and Environmental Justice in South Africa | THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice | This conceptual paper argues for the enduring relevance of Steve Biko's philosophy of Black Consciousness for understanding and addressing environmental injustice in South Africa. Positioned within a social work lens, the paper posits that Biko's analysis of systemic racism, psychological oppression, and the imperative for decolonization provides a crucial framework for recognizing the deeply intertwined nature of racial, colonial, and environmental marginalization. By examining how apartheid's spatial planning and resource exploitation patterns continue to disproportionately burden Black communities with environmental degradation, this paper demonstrates how Biko's call for psychological liberation and self-determination is essential for achieving genuine environmental justice. It argues that a Biko-inspired approach necessitates a radical reimagining of environmentalism that centers the experiences and agency of Black South Africans in the struggle for ecological and social liberation. | 812 | |
| 56 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Ntini | Edmore | Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za | University of kwazulu-natal | Reclaiming Political Social Work: Confronting Depoliticisation in Community Development Practice | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | Reclaiming Political Social Work: Confronting Depoliticisation in Community Development Practice by Dr. Edmore Ntini E-mail: Ntinie@Ukzn.ac.za (Business) /eddiemza@gmail.com (Personal) Phone: +27 648090878/031 260 2289 Abstract This paper repositions Political Social Work as the central axis of transformative practice within the increasingly depoliticised community development field. Once rooted in social justice, collective organising, and systemic change, social work has been progressively reduced to a technocratic profession tasked with managing service delivery. This transformation has been particularly acute in community development, where neoliberal governance frameworks have subordinated political engagement to institutional compliance, funding metrics, and bureaucratic neutrality. The paper argues that reclaiming the radical traditions of political social work is essential for revitalising community development and restoring the profession's relevance in confronting inequality and structural violence. Adopting a qualitative analytical approach, the study synthesises extant literature and critically examines case studies from South Africa, Nigeria, and Brazil. These cases illustrate how politically engaged social workers have mobilised grassroots movements, challenged institutional repression, and advanced structural transformation from within and outside formal systems. The analysis reveals that when detached from Political Social Work, community development risks becoming an apolitical apparatus that manages rather than disrupts oppression. Conversely, where social workers engage politically through organising, advocacy, and resistance, community development becomes a terrain of possibility rather than pacification. The paper concludes by identifying practical pathways for re-politicising the profession, including reforming social work curricula, creating solidarity-based funding infrastructures, and reintegrating social work into broader emancipatory movements. It calls for a decisive turn from managerialism and towards a re-humanised, politically conscious practice that aligns social workers with struggling communities. Without this shift, the profession risks becoming complicit in sustaining the inequalities it created to dismantle. Keywords: Political Social Work, Community Development, Depoliticisation, Structural Inequality, Grassroots Organising, Professional Relevance |
813 | |
| 57 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Hlatshwayo | Lindokuhle | 3553881@MYUWC.AC.ZA | University of the western cape | Advancing Crisis Intervention through Responsive E-Social Work | THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice | Amid the escalating global crises that included wars, fires, droughts, extreme weather and health threats, social work practice faces urgent demands to respond effectively to vulnerable communities. These disasters require the profession to integrate innovative strategies that advance crisis intervention, promote sustainable development and social justice, and ensure quick response to crises. This qualitative study focuses on how responsive e-social work guidelines can enhance crisis intervention through digital platforms for marginalized populations in disaster contexts. The research was carried out in five nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the Western Cape, South Africa. It engaged 16 service users and 12 practitioners through in-depth interviews and focus groups to critically explore what should be included in the responsive e-social work guidelines. Data was thematically analyzed to identify the emerging themes and subthemes. The draft of the guidelines was refined through two Delphi focus groups with 8 social workers and 9 service users. The guidelines consist of six key areas and 19 goals that serve as a blueprint for social work organizations to prepare both social workers and service users to engage in responsive e-social work during disasters and crises. This research explored “What should be included in the responsive e-social work in order for social work practitioners and service-users to engage in responsive e-social work during disasters and crises”? The study proposes actionable e-social work guidelines that emphasize the use of technology in crisis intervention, technological tools, protocols for responsive e-social work, ethical practice and organizational guidelines. By aligning digital innovation with participatory approaches, these guidelines aim to enhance crisis intervention, ensuring that interventions are culturally responsive and environmentally sustainable. This research underscores the role of technology in advancing crisis intervention by amplifying marginalized voices in policy and practice, while fostering resilience through inclusive disaster preparedness. | 815 | |
| 58 | Accepted | Accepted | Ms. | Hlatshwayo | Lindokuhle | 3553881@MYUWC.AC.ZA | University of the western cape | Incorporation responsive e-social work in Crisis Intervention: Service user perspective | THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice | During disasters, service users’ access to social work organization is interrupted this compels the social work profession to adopt innovative and ethical strategies to ensure uninterrupted response to crises. This qualitative study examines the role of technology in crisis intervention, informed by the lived experiences of 16 service users who accessed social work services during disasters, with a focus on lessons from the rapid digitization of care from the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by the crisis intervention model and critical social work theory, the research highlights the dual potential of technology to enhance and hinder crisis support. The data that was obtained was thematically analyzed to identify the emerging themes and subthemes. The findings affirm that digital tools, allowed access to services when physical outreach was interrupted. However, the findings reveal significant ethical risks: insecure digital platforms exposed users to cybersecurity threats, breaches of confidentiality, and unreliable communication, disproportionately endangering marginalized groups during vulnerable moments. The study underscores the need for ethical frameworks to govern technology use in crisis contexts. The findings emphasize that unregulated platforms, particularly those lacking encryption or privacy protocols, increase risks of harm, undermining trust in digital interventions. This research seek to answer the following research question “How do you reach out to a social worker during disasters or crises”? The contents of the poster include, title, methods, findings and recommendations. Recommendations include mandatory cybersecurity standards, digital training for practitioners, clear and user-friendly processes involving service users to evaluate platform safety. This poster contributes to the discourse on sustainable development by redefining innovation in crisis response as a balance between technological efficiency and an unwavering commitment to justice, security and the dignity of those most affected by systemic disasters. | 817 | |
| 59 | Accepted | Pending Review | Mr. | Yeboah | Ata senior | ata.yeboah@mail.mcgill.ca | Mcgill university | Gendered Dimensions of Environmental Justice in Large-Scale Commercial Gold Mining Contexts, Ghana | THEME 5: Feminist Perspectives and Environmental Justice | The relationship between environmental justice and gender dimensions remains poorly understood globally. However, there is evidence to show how gender roles, responsibilities, and expectations put women at a disadvantage in terms of enduring the brunt of environmental injustices, especially in the Global South. The neglect of gender considerations in environmental justice policy and research results from the limited public visibility of the manifestation of environmental burdens on women. Nevertheless, little is known about the gendered dynamics of environmental justice in Ghana’s natural resource extraction context. To address the research gap, the present study focused on exploring how the benefits and burdens of gold mining are distributed between men and women and their level of inclusion in environmental decisions in five communities hosting gold mining operations in the Asutifi North District of Ghana. Drawing on liberal feminism as a theoretical lens and employing qualitative in-depth interviews, the study explores how residents experience and understand the manifestation of environmental justice between men and women. The findings reveal women’s limited inclusion in environment-related decision-making spaces due to gender-assigned norms and patriarchal systems. Additionally, the findings suggest that women disproportionately endure the brunt of mining’s detrimental effects while men reap substantial employment benefits. The study recommends that policymakers carefully review and systematically integrate gender empowerment approaches in community development practices to benefit women. | 818 | |
| 60 | Accepted | Accepted | Dr. | Nghonyama | Tsakani | funganghonyama@yahoo.com | Unisa | GAMBLING DISORDER IN THE WORKPLACE | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | A qualitative research approach was used to develop an in-depth understanding of gambling disorder, with the aim of developing social work intervention guidelines to address this hidden disorder. The inclusion of gambling disorder in social work training will ensure a responsive and research-based curriculum development. Qualitative research approach was adopted, using purposive and snowball sampling, to select security officers and supervisors for data collection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the security officers, using interview guide while focus group prompts were used to facilitate focus group discussions with security supervisors. Collective case study design was used to explore and describe gambling disorder in the workplace using a contextual approach to give meaning to the existence of the phenomenon. Data analysis was conducted using steps adopted from Niewenhuis (2016) while data verification criteria from Schurink et al. (2021) was employed to establish the rigor of the study. The findings illuminated that environment played a pivotal role in the inception of security officers’ gambling. This erodes social and environmental justice while increasing injustices and unsustainability. It has been established from the study that some security officers were introduced to gambling by observing colleagues who gambled and sometimes won. Findings in the study further showed that none of the participants ever sought professional help to deal with their gambling behaviour. Transdisciplinarity in developing intervention methods to address gambling disorder in the workplace is necessary. According to the findings of the study, gambling affects Security Officers as individuals, their families and work. The study also highlighted that there was an element of cognitive distortion, because participants believed that they had control over their gambling and did not need any professional assistance. General systems theory, ecological perspective and life model were used as theoretical lenses to further guide, inform and contextualise the study. | 820 | |
| 61 | Accepted | Accepted | Prof. | Sithole | Mbongeni | mmsithole@uwc.ac.za | University of the western cape | Digital Social Work Supervision: Being Present in a Digital Space | THEME 6: Main-streaming Digital and Assessment Tools in Social Work Practice | Access to quality supervision continues to be a critical concern within the social service professions. Findings from a doctoral study examining the transition experiences of first-time supervisors underscore the need for reflective, capacity-building interventions to meet ongoing supervision demands. Persistent shortages of qualified supervisors, the growing prominence of interdisciplinary approaches, and the need to extend services to remote and underserved communities have collectively accelerated the adoption of digital solutions. These trends have been further intensified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed both the constraints and transformative possibilities of remote professional practice. While digital technologies are increasingly embedded in the delivery of social work services, their integration into supervisory practices has not kept pace. Nevertheless, digital supervision presents significant potential as a driver of professional development, reflective engagement, and organisational effectiveness. This paper explores the diverse opportunities offered by digital supervision, including expanded access to supervisory support, greater scheduling flexibility, and improved mechanisms for documentation, feedback, and accountability. At the same time, the shift to digital spaces brings with it a host of ethical complexities. Key concerns include safeguarding confidentiality and data security, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in virtual environments, and addressing the pervasive issue of digital inequality. Drawing from the aforementioned doctoral research, contemporary literature, real-world case studies, and existing policy frameworks, this paper underscores the urgent need for comprehensive digital supervision guidelines, enhanced digital literacy among practitioners, and an unwavering commitment to the foundational values of social work. Ultimately, it advocates for a balanced and intentional integration of technology into supervisory practices—one that embraces innovation while preserving the ethical integrity and relational depth that define effective social work supervision. | 821 | |
| 62 | Accepted | Pending Review | Dr. | Khosa | Jeffries | jyvaro@gmail.com | University of johannesburg | Orientating early career academics in decolonial discourses: a case study of social work education of a selected university | THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development | South African social work education was initially designed to cater exclusively to the white population, grounded in Western and American theories while neglecting indigenous contexts. Despite post-1994 transformation efforts introducing decolonisation into academic debates, curricula remain predominantly Western-oriented. Academics face challenges in providing practical, contextual examples to help students relate theories to their lived experiences. The preparedness of early career academics significantly impacts their teaching and learning approaches. This study investigated how decolonisation is introduced and embedded in social work education during the onboarding process for new academics at a selected South African university. Framed within Legitimation Code Theory, with a focus on its specialisation dimension, the research employed a qualitative case study design. Participants were early career social work academics. Using non-probability snowball sampling, data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face and virtual interviews and analysed using discourse analysis. The study found that there is no formal orientation program to introduce newly appointed academics to decolonial discourse. Instead, they were provided with teaching materials from previous lecturers and were given an opportunity to make modifications during annual curriculum planning meetings. The findings reveal significant challenges in contextualising the social work curriculum to local realities. Barriers include the reliance on Western textbooks and the limited availability of South African literature. The study recommends implementing a structured orientation program specifically designed for early career social work academics. This program should incorporate content on the decolonisation of social work education, ensuring that new academics are equipped to engage with and integrate decolonial perspectives into their teaching and research. | 823 |