PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-CARE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

Live online training hosted by Rata Social Services on the zoom platform - www.rata.org.za/webinars

Presented by Minke Saayman

This workshop aims to strengthen social workers' professional competence, resilience, and ethical practice by promoting continuous professional development and sustainable self-care in the South African social service context. Participants will deepen their understanding of professional identity, ethical responsibilities, reflective practice, and lifelong learning as essential to delivering high-quality services to individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Participants will be guided to develop greater self-awareness by identifying their own stress responses, professional strengths, areas for growth, and early warning signs of occupational strain. Drawing on current research and evidence-based approaches, the workshop will provide practical strategies for maintaining psychological wellbeing, emotional resilience, healthy professional boundaries, and effective work-life integration. Participants will also examine the role of supervision, peer support, mentoring, and continuing professional development in promoting professional competence and ethical decision-making.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to develop personalized professional development and self-care plans that foster resilience, enhance professional effectiveness, reduce the risk of burnout, and support sustainable, ethical, and client-centered social work practice in the diverse and often demanding South African context.