Social Worker: Social Work Services (Posts available at various locations), Ref No. DSD 88/2026

Western Cape Government; Cape Town, Mitchells Plain; On-site; ZAR 338,000 - 755,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Cape Government invites qualified Social Workers to fill Social Work Services posts across the Western Cape, including Athlone, Gugulethu, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, Wynberg, Retreat and other areas. The role requires a Bachelor of Social Work and registration with SACSSP as a Social Worker.

At Grade 1 there is no experience, with progression to higher grades based on years of service; remuneration ranges apply and OSD may be included. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work with registration as Social Worker in SA.
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker.
• Grade 1 requires no experience; Grade 2 requires a minimum of 10 years; Grade 3 requires 20 years; Grade 4 requires 30 years of experience after registration.

Responsibilities

• Render social work services for care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities.
• Attend to issues that may lead to social instability in any form.
• Supervise and support Social Auxiliary Workers.
• Pursue Continuous Professional Development and stay up to date with social work developments.
• Perform all required administrative functions of the role.

Skills

Communication

Report writing

Planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Job description

Social Worker: Social Work Services (Posts available at various locations), Ref No. DSD 88/2026

Details

Closing Date 2026/10/19

Reference Number WCG260912-1

Tracking Number DSD 88/2026

Job Title Social Worker: Social Work Services (Posts available at various locations), Ref No. DSD 88/2026

Department Social Development

Salary level OSD

Enquiries Ms Elarna Siljeur at [phone]

Job Type Permanent

Location - Country South Africa

Location - Province Western Cape

Location - Town / City Athlone, Gugulethu, Phillipi, Mitchells Plain, Wynberg, Retreat, Metro South

Job Purpose

The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government has opportuniies for suitably qualified and competent Social Workers to provide social work services within the Service Delivery Areas through the promotion of social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance social well-being.

A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work) that allows professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker; Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as a Social Worker; Grade 1: No experience; Grade 2: A minimum of 10 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions; Grade 3: A minimum of 20 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions; Grade 4: A minimum of 30 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.

Recommendation

None

Key Performance Areas

• Render a social work service with regard to the care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities through the relevant programmes (Case work, group work and Community work).
• Attend to any other matters that could result in, or stem from, social instability in any form;
• Supervise and Support Social Auxiliary Workers;
• Continuous Professional Development;
• Keep up to date with new developments in the social work and social welfare fields;
• Perform all the administrative functions required of the job.

Knowledge of the following:

• Supervision Framework for Social Workers
• Human behavior and social systems and skills to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote social well-being
• Social work theory and interventions
• Information and Knowledge Management
• Protocol and professional ethics
• Relevant legislations, policies and prescripts (norms and standards)
• Social dynamics, work values and principles
• Developing and empowering others

Skills in the following:

• Challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion
• Written and verbal communication
• Report-writing
• Self-management
• Motivation
• Good planning and organizing
• Problem solving and analytical
• Computer literacy
• Presentation and facilitation
• Client orientation and customer focus
• Ability and competence to assist, develop, advocate for, and empower individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities to enhance their social functioning and their problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to promote, restore, maintain, advocate for and enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities by enabling them to accomplish tasks, prevent and alleviate distress and use resources effectively
• Understanding and ability to provide social work services towards protecting people who are vulnerable, at risk and unable to protect themselves
• Ability to mentor and coach Social Workers Grade 1

Remuneration

• Grade 1: R 338 208 - R 397 668 per annum
• Grade 2: R 413 004 - R 478 395 per annum
• Grade 3: R 496 668 - R583 833 per annum
• Grade 4: R 608 859 - R 754 785 per annum (OSD as prescribed)

Note on remuneration: Cost-to-employer (CTE) remuneration packages for certain occupation-specific dispensations (OSD) are inclusive of all costs related to service benefits or obligations including basic salary, 13th cheque, medical assistance, housing assistance, pension-fund contributions, etc. Where remuneration is not indicated as CTE, employees' service benefits or obligations are funded or co-funded in terms of the applicable prescripts or collective agreements.

Notes

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend interviews on a date and time determined by the department and will be required to submit duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the timeframe communicated by the WCG and prior to the interview date. Failure to provide the required duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the prescribed timeframe, without reasonable justification, may result in the shortlisted candidate not being considered further in the current recruitment and selection process.

All shortlisted candidates shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department.

This project is an initiative of the Western Cape Government.