Experiences of Social Workers Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ekurhuleni Region, Gauteng Province of South Africa

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created an overwhelming global crisis, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. In response, many countries, including South Africa, imposed national lockdowns to reduce the spread of the virus. Social workers faced increased demand for their services and had to quickly adapt to new ways of working, including remote service delivery. This study explored the experiences of social workers working from home during the pandemic in the Ekurhuleni Region, Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic on social work practice, the ethical dilemmas faced by social workers working remotely, and the resources provided by employers. A qualitative, exploratory research design was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 social workers. Thematic analysis revealed several challenges, including challenges in conducting face-to-face assessments, compromised service delivery, struggles in transitioning to remote work, and increased workloads. Ethical concerns also arose, particularly regarding confidentiality and privacy, while limited access to technology hindered communication and service efficiency. Additionally, the Department of Social Development did not provide adequate training, resources, supervision, or emotional support for remote work. The study recommends that universities integrate remote work skills into social work training, emphasizing ethical and legal considerations. Social workers should be equipped with reliable technology, such as laptops, secure internet connections, and video conferencing tools. Furthermore, virtual supervision should be established to provide guidance and emotional support. The Department of Social Development should also develop secure virtual platforms to protect client confidentiality and enable effective remote case management.