He works hand in hand with social workers and believes times have changed, where child abuse and the use of drugs and alcohol are on the increase.
“In the past it used to be mainly alcohol abuse, but statistics show drug abuse is a huge problem,” he says.
According to Sanet van Moerkerken, project manager at the Springs and KwaThema Child Welfare Society, the need to investigate the circumstances of children on a daily basis to assess whether they are in need of care is the job of a social worker.
“The responsibility to make decisions with regards to children is not always easy and sometimes the parents are aggressive and verbally abusive towards the social workers,” she says.
Drug abuse and thus neglect are on the increase, which leads to social workers having to remove children from such circumstances.
“This involves many interviews with the parents, lots of paperwork and attendance at court almost on a daily basis.”
Sanet believes the workload has increased tremendously.
Her staff have more than 200 cases they have to take responsibility for.
As their supervisor she also has to deal with cases.
“If staff members resign the supervisor has to take responsibility for it.”
She says the social workers are working under enormous pressure, with higher case loads than five years ago.
Fundraising is becoming more difficult and this also puts huge stress on the staff and the supervisor.
She is grateful for the assistance of the police, Henry and Barries Barnard from Hi5Kids Recovery Unit, who work closely together.
“Over the past two years, they have assisted us in so many ways and they also do the drug tests.
“Our work most definitely affects us emotionally.”
She believes if you are a social worker, doing it to protect the children it is still a career to pursue.
