Official reply:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 1886/2013
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 August 2013
Internal question paper no: 24
1886. Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
When (a) will the strategy for the recruitment and retention of social
workers be reviewed, as recommended by the Portfolio Committee on Social
Development in their 2013 report, and (b) can the specified committee
expect feedback on this? NW2235E
Reply:
(a) The review of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy is considered to
be conducted in the financial year 2014/2015.
(b) The Portfolio Committee will be provided with feedback upon the
completion of the review of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for
social workers after 2014/15.
Additional information for Minister.
During the financial year 2011/2012 the Department of Social Development
conducted a study on the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for social
workers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the
implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for social
workers. The findings of the study among others; identified the lack of the
implementation plan although the various programmes were put in place to
implement the strategy, which includes but not limited to careers fair,
social work scholarship, social work exchange programme, staff development
etc. The recommendations of the study are outlined among others as follows:
â Awareness of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for social
workers
â Development of the Implementation Plan for the Recruitment and
Retention Strategy for social workers.
â Review of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for social workers.
In line with the research findings and recommendations for the financial
year 2013/2014 the Department of Social Development has prioritised the
development of provincial specific implementation plans for the Recruitment
and Retention Strategy for social workers and identified the quick wins to
intensify the implementation of the plans. Subsequent to the development of
the implementation plans the monitoring and evaluation will be conducted to
support implementation and assess compliance of the Recruitment and
Retention Strategy for social workers.