School social work in South Africa: Roles, responsibilities, and challenges in the Free State province

The employment of social workers in South African schools has seen a significant upswing in recent years. However, the absence of standardised responsibilities poses challenges for these practitioners. A study was conducted to address the lacuna in formalised standards for social work services at the school level. Data were collected using a non-standardised questionnaire that focused on proposed functions, responsibilities, and challenges. Quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was used for written responses. The findings delineated a comprehensive profile of roles and responsibilities, along with the challenges encountered. As the first study of its kind in South Africa, it could serve as a foundational resource for establishing local practice standards. It could also benefit countries that are at a similar stage in the development of their school social work services.