North West University Social Work
North West University Social Work, Social Work is a profession. It means you will undergo special expert training before you may practice as a social worker. The work includes a range of services which can be rendered to individuals, groups and communities. Professional service rendering occurs with regard to a wide variety of issues in order to help people to help themselves.
In general:
- It is a four-year, full-time qualification
- In your 4th year, you have a 3-month internship
- Social Work is a very scarce skill in South Africa
- In your second year, you register at the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as student social worker.
During the 4 years you acquire a variety of experience on different fields of services that include:
- Child and youth care;
- Working with the elderly;
- Working at Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s);
- Community service and
- Presenting group work.
- No student will be allowed into the BSW–programme unless he/she has furnished written proof that he/she has not been convicted of any offence against a child in terms of the 61 Sexual Offences Act (Act 23 of 1957) and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 32 of 2007.
- A student should be in possession of a full Matriculation exemption certificate with an average pass mark of at least 60% during the matriculation examination.
- APS-score: The results achieved in four designated subjects plus two NSC subjects will be taken into consideration. The results achieved in Life orientation will not be taken into account. The required APS-score is 28
- Language requirement: A pass mark of 50-59% (level 4) in the language of teaching and learning concerning home language or first additional language level.
- Completion of a variety of psychometric selection tests (test battery)
- If indicated, an interview with a selection panel.
Successful completion of the program grants admission to a Master degree in Social Work. Admission is subject to a selection process and available capacity in the subject group.
Welcome to the page for social work on the Vaal Triangle Campus of the NWU! On this page you will find information about the projects and services rendered by the social worker.
Projects and Services
Charity Begins at Home
This is a project that supports the meal-a-day project. It has two components: Mandela Day and the Rector’s Christmas Tree.
Mandela day — 67 items: Departments and staff are encouraged to donate sixty seven items like toiletries and non-perishable foodstuffs (but any other donations are also welcome) on 18 July each year.
Companies within the Vaal Triangle are encouraged to donate toiletries, non-perishable food and gifts from the first to the fifteenth of December each year.
Everybody is encouraged to “adopt” a student. This means you attend to the needs of the students: Materialy as well as financially.
Drug and Alcohol abuseOn drug and alcohol abuse we offer the following counselling and support:
- Awareness and Wellness campaigns
- Counselling to students who are addicted and dependent on alcohol and drugs
- Referrals to rehabilitation centres
- After care and support during and after discharge from rehabilitation centres
- Support to the student’s family
- Support groups for affected students
- Support students who have been arrested for drinking and driving
- Create dialogue on prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse
HIV/AIDSWe see HIV/AIDS as a serious issue and therefore we offer the following support in conjunction with the campus clinic:
- Counselling and support to infected and affected students
- Awareness and prevention campaigns
- Promote voluntary testing for HIV
- Promote dialogue on HIV-related matters
Other Social ProblemsThe social worker also offers counselling and support relating to the following problems :
- Sexual abuse and rape
- Pregnancies
- Death of family members
- Financial difficulties