Exploring the perceptions of social workers at the Department of Social Development regarding working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic in Sedibeng region of Gauteng Province

Abstract

The study explored the experiences of social workers from the Department of Social Development (DSD) in the Sedibeng Region, Gauteng Province, South Africa, who were required to work remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown. Traditionally, social workers relied on each other for support in office settings, but remote work shifted this support to family members. Despite the significance of this shift, there has been little research on its impact. This qualitative study therefore sought to the experiences of social workers from the Department of Social Development (DSD) in the Sedibeng Region, Gauteng Province, South Africa, on working remotely during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study was conducted with fifteen social workers employed by the Department of Social Development (DSD). Purposive sampling was applicable to recruit the research participants for the study. A Semi-structured interview guide was applied as a research tool to guide the data collection process, with in-depth face-to-face interviews used as a method of data collection. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings from the study revealed that there were several challenges related to working remotely that was done by social workers during the COVID-19 period. These included inadequate tools for remote work whereby Social Workers only cell phones instead of laptops, Wi-Fi, and printers. Work-life balance was a challenge where some Social Workers were struggling with time management and worked after hours when it was supposed to be family time. Some Social Workers reported that there was lack of support from the DSD as some Social Workers tested positive but there was no support from direct seniors or referrals for psychosocial support services. The study recommends further research on remote work during pandemics to address these challenges and improve service delivery for vulnerable communities