Social Work: What is it and how to get into this field?

Written by Vincent Mabvurira

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. It requires emotional and personal maturity. Social workers seek to improve the quality of life for individuals and groups in society. They carry this function out through scientific research; informed social policy design and policy implementation.

Social workers are actively involved in areas such as counselling, therapy, community development, helping disadvantaged and marginalised groups. Generally they help people cope with different life situations. The Zimbabwean NGO sector employs a large number of social workers to help out with the well-being of children, disadvantaged groups and rape victims among many others.

To become a social worker in Zimbabwe one requires a degree or a diploma in social work. Before practising all social workers must be registered with the Council of Social Workers of Zimbabwe and it is illegal to practice without registration. .

Some of the programmes on offer locally include the following:

PROGRAMME INSTITUTION ENTRY REQUIREMENTS DURATION WEB LINK
Certificate in Social Work University of Zimbabwe, School of Social Work Five “O” levels including English language One Year full time link
Diploma in Social Work Women’s University in Africa Five “O” levels and two A'leves including English language Two years full time link
Bachelor of Social Work Honours degree University of Zimbabwe, School of Social Work Five “O” levels including English language plus two “A” level subjects Four years full time link
Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Social Work Bindura University of Science Education Five “O” levels including English language and Mathematics plus two “A” level subjects Four years full time link
Master of Social Work University of Zimbabwe, School of Social Work A four year degree in Social Work 18months full time/ two years part time  
Dphil in Social Sciences

University of Zimbabwe/

Bindura University of Science Education		 Master of Social Work Degree 3-8 years  

 

Career opportunities for social workers.

  • Care Manager
  • Counsellor
  • Mental Health Social Worker
  • Learning Disabilities Social Worker
  • Drugs and Addictions Social Worker
  • Social Services officer
  • Case management
  • Employee assistance officers
  • Child welfare officers
  • Programme officers in NGOs

Potential employers in Zimbabwe

  • Department of Social Services
  • Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services
  • Hospitals
  • Local and international NGOs
  • Zimbabwe Prison Services
  • Local authorities