'n Ondersoek na Opleidingsgeleenthede vir Spesialisasie in Forensiese Maatskaplike Werk

Abstract

Forensic social work is a new field in South Africa. Forensic social work is regarded as a speciality, but has not been registered as such by the South African Council for Social Service Professions. There is a growing need to utilize experts in South African courts. Social workers are not trained to provide in this need. Social workers in private practice have recognized this need and equipped themselves to render this service to courts. The South African Police Service employs forensic social workers to assist the Child Protection Units. Despite this there was no formal training available in forensic social work, until recently. This study aims at investigating the availability of forensic training for social workers in order to develop guidelines for forensic training programmes. Universities agree that statutory social work forms part of the duty of every social worker and that training in this regard is needed. They also indicate that existing training does not prepare the social worker for effective services to the courts. It is clear that universities regard forensic social work as a specialised field and do not believe that under-graduate training is realistic. All participating institutions agree that a need exists for post-graduate forensic training.