Bedryfs-maatskaplike werk by plaaslike owerhede in die Kaapse Skiereiland

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to investigate the present functioning ofoccupational social work at local governments in the Cape Peninsula. In order torealise this aim, an exploratory study was undertaken. In this study the historicaldevelopment of occupational social work, internationally as well as in the SouthAfrican context, was investigated. From the investigation it became apparent thatthere is a difference in the pattern between the historical development ofoccupational social work internationally and in the South African context. InSouth Africa industrialization occurred almost a century later than in theEuropean countries and the development of occupational social work was furtherhampered by the political system of separate development.The organizational context of occupational social work practice as well as theroles, functions, knowledge and skills of the occupational social worker werediscussed. It is essential that the occupational social worker should not only haveinsight into the structural and functional aspects of organizations, but should alsohave the know how to apply this knowledge base to promote social work servicesin the workplace. Although the roles, functions, knowledge and skills of theoccupational social worker are relatively similar to those of social workers inother fields of practice, it is also evident that this field requires more specializedskills and knowledge.Attention was given to social work supervision and management in theoccupational context and it became apparent that in the occupational context,social work supervision and management are influenced by a variety oforganizational factors. Supervision is extremely important to local governmentsbecause it provides the opportunity for these organizations to guide the servicedelivery of the social workers in a scientific and responsible manner.Lastly the structure and functioning of local governments were discussed withspecific reference to occupational social work. The emergence of occupationalsocial work at local governments in the Cape Peninsula as well as the EmployeeAssistance Program policy and the substance dependency treatment policy oflocal governments were also discussed.An empirical investigation was undertaken after the literature study, in whicheight occupational social workers as well as their six managers at localgovernments in the Cape Peninsula participated. The questionnaire was used asthe technique for data collection.On the basis of the conclusion and findings of this study, certainrecommendations on the practical implementation of occupational social workpolicy and the process of supervision for local governments in the CapePeninsula are made at the end of the report.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University