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Submission information
Submission Number: 197
Submission ID: 1280
Submission UUID: b3bc0d69-335d-4703-b02c-bdad7722e341
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Thu, 06/26/2025 - 12:02
Completed: Thu, 06/26/2025 - 12:12
Changed: Thu, 07/24/2025 - 06:35
Remote IP address: 169.1.93.125
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Ms.
Jordaan
Leanne
University of pretoria
Ms Leanne Jordaan (First author)
Leanne Jordaan is a lecturer and doctoral student in the Department of Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria. With an interest and experience in practice education, she has recently shifted her focus to specialisation in work with children and families. She co-presents the master’s programme in play-based Interventions and presents child and family care to undergraduate students. With experience in various fields of social work, including employee well-being and school social work, her current research interests include the continuing professional development of newly qualified social workers and the role of collaboration in achieving this goal.
Prof S Geyer (2nd author)
Stephan Geyer is a professor of Social Work in the Department of Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He teaches modules in addiction, gerontology, and research methodology. At the postgraduate level, he guides candidates in the fields of addiction, social gerontology and intervention research. His research focuses primarily on social gerontology (including gerontological social work), and secondarily on addiction (i.e., substance use disorders and internet addiction). He is a member of the South African Academy for Science and Arts. He is also rated as an established researcher (i.e., C2) by the South African National Research Foundation. In 2023, he received the ‘Researcher of the Year’ award from ASASWEI.
Leanne Jordaan is a lecturer and doctoral student in the Department of Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria. With an interest and experience in practice education, she has recently shifted her focus to specialisation in work with children and families. She co-presents the master’s programme in play-based Interventions and presents child and family care to undergraduate students. With experience in various fields of social work, including employee well-being and school social work, her current research interests include the continuing professional development of newly qualified social workers and the role of collaboration in achieving this goal.
Prof S Geyer (2nd author)
Stephan Geyer is a professor of Social Work in the Department of Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He teaches modules in addiction, gerontology, and research methodology. At the postgraduate level, he guides candidates in the fields of addiction, social gerontology and intervention research. His research focuses primarily on social gerontology (including gerontological social work), and secondarily on addiction (i.e., substance use disorders and internet addiction). He is a member of the South African Academy for Science and Arts. He is also rated as an established researcher (i.e., C2) by the South African National Research Foundation. In 2023, he received the ‘Researcher of the Year’ award from ASASWEI.
No
Abstract
Raised by the Herd: Insights from African Elephants for the Support and Continuing Professional Development of Newly Qualified Social Workers in South Africa
THEME 4: Social Work Education, Transdisciplinarity and Curriculum Development
SUB 4.2 Strategies on building responsive social work curricula.
Oral Presentation
Newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) in South Africa face numerous challenges when transitioning into the workforce. Although graduates complete a four-year generic Bachelor of Social Work degree, expectations are that they will be work-ready, especially for specialist areas of practice. This is unrealistic, often leaving them feeling underprepared and unsupported. This experience reflects global concerns, where NQSWs frequently lack adequate supervision, mentorship, and structured professional development during the transitional phase on entering the workplace. The researchers adopted a cross-sectional survey to explore the post-qualification support and development needs of South African NQSWs operationalised through Qualtricsxm. Using non-probability sampling, 39 NQSWs from diverse practice settings completed the questionnaire designed for the South African context. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings reveal critical gaps in early career support, with NQSWs highlighting the need for structured induction programmes, mentorship, supervision, and specialist training opportunities. These elements are vital for improving job satisfaction, professional confidence, and enhanced work retention. The study draws on the metaphor of African elephant calves, raised within cooperative, nurturing herds, to emphasise the value of collective care and extended support systems for emerging professionals. As calves thrive through shared responsibility and protection, NQSWs benefit from collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments that foster ongoing growth and resilience. Recommendations include the development of a responsive, collaborative framework for the support and continuing professional development of NQSWs, tailored to the realities of South Africa and other lower- to middle-income countries. This includes clearer guidance on post-qualification pathways, strengthened inter-organisational collaboration, and improved access to training and supervision. The presentation aims to contribute to discussions on building responsive post-graduate social work curricula, focusing on the needs of NQSWs, by offering evidence-based strategies that better equip graduates for practice.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Ntandoyenkosi
Maphosa
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Mr
Luvuyo
Teko
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted