Raised by the Herd: Insights from African Elephants for the Support and Continuing Professional Development of Newly Qualified Social Workers in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/17759Keywords:
African elephants, continuing professional development, early career social worker, newly qualified social worker, South Africa, support and development initiativesAbstract
Newly qualified social workers in South Africa face numerous challenges when transitioning into the workforce, highlighting a gap between their perceived work readiness and the realities of professional practice. Despite completing a four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree with substantial work-integrated learning, many graduates feel inadequately prepared for their roles and experience insufficient support and development upon entering practice. These challenges align with international trends, where newly qualified social workers often lack essential guidance, supervision, and structured professional development. Drawing on lessons from the collaborative care seen in African elephant calves, this study explored the barriers faced by, and the support and development needs of, recent social work graduates in South Africa through a quantitative study operationalised through a cross-sectional survey design. Through non-probability sampling, 39 participants from various social work sectors completed a self-administered, web-based questionnaire tailored to the South African context. Data analysis, using descriptive statistics and content analysis, revealed a pressing need for structured support initiatives, such as mentorship, supervision, and tailored induction programmes. These initiatives are essential to enhance job satisfaction, foster professional and personal growth, and improve retention rates. Insights from elephant calf socialisation, particularly the concept of being “raised by the herd,” emphasise the importance of extended nurturing environments and continuous development for young professionals. This emphasises the role of cooperative care and effective communication in supporting newly qualified social workers. Recommendations include a collaborative, accountable approach involving key stakeholders to address existing gaps, enhance access to support initiatives, and provide specialised training.
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