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Submission information
Submission Number: 216
Submission ID: 1366
Submission UUID: 4c704b8e-fcfe-4d6a-b3ec-8d40dda263d0
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Sat, 06/28/2025 - 22:12
Completed: Sat, 06/28/2025 - 22:25
Changed: Tue, 07/29/2025 - 07:53
Remote IP address: 41.146.193.183
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Mr.
Fourie
Johan
Valkenberg hospital, western cape government: department of health & wellness
Johan Fourie is a registered social worker based in Cape Town. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of the Western Cape, graduating cum laude for his undergraduate studies. Johan currently works as a mental health care practitioner in forensic psychiatry, where he contributes to court-ordered assessments of criminal capacity, fitness to stand trial, and risk of dangerousness. He also provides therapeutic interventions to forensic mental health service users. In addition to his full-time role, Johan runs a part-time private practice offering socio-legal social work services.
No
Abstract
SOCIAL WORKERS’ PRACTICES WITH LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CLIENTS IN THE CAPE METROPOLE: GAPS AND CHALLENGES IN ADVANCING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SUB 2.3 Work with special and vulnerable populations (children, families, women, older persons, LGBTQIA+ etc).
Oral Presentation
Social workers are uniquely positioned to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Within the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, these goals underscore the critical need for inclusive, affirming, and rights-based social work practices that ensure equitable access to services and uphold the dignity of all clients. In South Africa, however, limited empirical research exists on social workers’ preparedness, practice approaches, and knowledge related to LGBT clients.
The paper will report on a Masters project which primarily focused on social workers’ practices and knowledge in dealing with LGBT clients in the Cape Metropole. Tronto’s (2013) political ethics of care was used as the theoretical framework for the study. In a qualitative study, convenience and snowball sampling was utilized to recruit a gender diverse participant pool, which comprised of 6 male and 14 female social work practitioners. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews using the LGBT Competency Assessment Tool (LGBT-CAT) and all COVID-19 safety protocols for face-to-face contact during the COVID-19 pandemic were upheld. A thematic analysis was applied to interpret the findings.
Findings reveal that social workers often practice from cis-heteronormative presumptions and demonstrate limited understanding of LGBT identity development and affirming referral resources. While a few participants were aware of and engaged with LGBT-affirming services in the Cape Metropole, most expressed a lack of training and confidence in providing effective services to LGBT clients.
The study recommends strategies for enhanced training and education, ongoing professional development, and inter-organizational collaboration between mainstream social service agencies and LGBT-focused organizations. These strategies are essential to equip social workers with the knowledge and competencies necessary to uphold inclusive practice and contribute meaningfully to the realization of the SDGs 10 and 16 within diverse communities.
The paper will report on a Masters project which primarily focused on social workers’ practices and knowledge in dealing with LGBT clients in the Cape Metropole. Tronto’s (2013) political ethics of care was used as the theoretical framework for the study. In a qualitative study, convenience and snowball sampling was utilized to recruit a gender diverse participant pool, which comprised of 6 male and 14 female social work practitioners. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews using the LGBT Competency Assessment Tool (LGBT-CAT) and all COVID-19 safety protocols for face-to-face contact during the COVID-19 pandemic were upheld. A thematic analysis was applied to interpret the findings.
Findings reveal that social workers often practice from cis-heteronormative presumptions and demonstrate limited understanding of LGBT identity development and affirming referral resources. While a few participants were aware of and engaged with LGBT-affirming services in the Cape Metropole, most expressed a lack of training and confidence in providing effective services to LGBT clients.
The study recommends strategies for enhanced training and education, ongoing professional development, and inter-organizational collaboration between mainstream social service agencies and LGBT-focused organizations. These strategies are essential to equip social workers with the knowledge and competencies necessary to uphold inclusive practice and contribute meaningfully to the realization of the SDGs 10 and 16 within diverse communities.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Bashizi Bashige
Murhula
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Dr
Martha
van Straaten
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted