About us

Values

Staff and students at the Department of Social Work demonstrate the following values: 

Programme Attributes

GRADUATES WILL: 

• Be able to understand and critically analyse both the South African and the global welfare context; 

• Understand the major social needs, issues, policies and legislation in the South African social welfare context and the social worker's role and contribution within statutory frameworks; 

• Have the ability to implement the social development approach in social work services; 

• Understand human behaviour and social systems and possess the skills to intervene independently and sustainably at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote social well-being; 

• Be able to provide social work services in a variety of welfare settings according to social work perspectives, theories and models towards protecting people who are vulnerable, at risk and unable to protect themselves; 

• Be able to promote, restore, maintain and enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities by enabling them to accomplish tasks, prevent and alleviate distress and use resources effectively; 

• Be familiar with the ethical code of conduct of the social work profession and hold personal beliefs consistent with social work values and the principles of human rights and social justice, while interacting with and assisting people across the range of human diversity. 

• Be able to challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion; 

• Be able to function effectively in a multilingual context; 

• Be able to work effectively within supervisory groups, including social work teams, multi- and inter-disciplinary teams as well as multi-sectoral teams; 

• Be able to manage, supervise and fulfil a leadership role in the social work profession and society as responsible and critical citizens in a democratic dispensation; 

• Be equipped for autonomous lifelong learning; 

• Be able to identify social problems in social work practice settings, create new knowledge and improve practices through the process of research and inquiry and will use information technology effectively in a range of contexts.​​​​​ 

Declaration

The vision, mission, values and attributes of Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences serve as the lynchpin for positioning the Department of Social Work in its management, general functioning, curriculum and programme offering. 

SUPPORT FOR THE STRATEGIC POSITIONING OF STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY 

We support the University’s strategic positioning for the 21st century as set out in the current Institutional Intent and Strategy, which commits the University to creating and sustaining “an environment of inclusivity, transformation, innovation, diversity, and maintaining excellence with a focus on the future”.  

AFFIRMATION AND CONDUCT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION 

The Department is committed to ongoing and rigorous efforts to promote values that are responsive to social development, human rights, social inclusion, and the needs and aspirations of local communities, congruent with University policies prohibiting discrimination and the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) Code of Ethics. We affirm and conduct all aspects of our teaching and learning, research and social impact without discrimination on the basis of race, colour, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family status, disability, religion, language and political affiliation.  Therefore, we encourage an educational and working environment characterised by open communication, participation and a sense of community. 

SUBSCRIBING TO THE GLOBAL DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK  

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing” (International Federation of Social Workers [IFSW], the International Association of Schools of Social Work [IASSW]. 

COMMITMENT TO THE GLOBAL AGENDA FOR SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT  

“We commit ourselves to supporting, influencing and enabling structures and systems that positively address the root causes of oppression and inequality. We commit ourselves wholeheartedly and urgently to work together, with people who use services and with others who share our objectives and aspirations, to create a more socially-just and fair world that we will be proud to leave to future generations. We will prioritise our endeavours to these ends: promoting social and economic equalities; promoting the dignity and worth of peoples; working toward environmental sustainability; and strengthening recognition of the importance of human relationships” (International Federation of Social Workers [IFSW], the International Association of Schools of Social Work [IASSW], and the International Council on Social Welfare [ICSW]).