Release date: 21/03/23

South Australia is celebrating World Social Work Day on Tuesday, 21 March, with nation-leading change designed to recognise and drive high standards across the social work profession continuing.

The day recognises the vital role social workers undertake daily in diverse areas of employment across the state.

With more than 700 social workers, the Department for Child Protection (DCP) is one of the biggest employers of social workers in South Australia. DCP social workers undertake incredibly complex work with some of the most vulnerable children and families in this state.

Recognising social work expertise is key to the State Government’s investment in the new Social Worker Registration Scheme in South Australia – an Australian first.

Over the next four years, $4.7 million has been budgeted to support the scheme’s introduction, with DCP tasked with recruiting a director and establishing a board and registrar in line with the Social Workers Registration Act 2021.

The board will form and maintain a social workers’ register and prepare and endorse codes of conduct, professional standards and ethical guidelines for social workers.

Social workers in SA are employed across a range of government agencies including Health, Human Services and Education, as well as in the non-government sector.

The achievements of social workers’ in SA will be recognised at the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) South Australian Social Worker of the Year Awards in June, which are proudly sponsored by DCP.

Quotes

Attributable to Katrine Hildyard

I wholeheartedly thank all South Australian social workers who work tirelessly for the wellbeing of other South Australians. The work South Australian social workers do day in, day out is essential, and it makes a difference in the lives of many.

I am incredibly grateful to them for the work they do, often walking alongside and empowering people at their most difficult moments.

Social workers in Child Protection work in a complex environment. They are well-qualified, experienced, highly skilled and put children and young people at the centre of their work, helping them to feel safe, healthy and supported to emotionally, physically and mentally thrive and meet their goals.

The scheme will ensure all social workers have access to ongoing professional development. It will ensure community confidence is strengthened in the qualifications held and services provided by social workers.