Social Service Workforce Strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Both the Global North and South experience challenges regarding social service workforce development. The strengthening of the social service workforce in the South is hampered by a series of challenges. This paper draws on a recent qualitative study highlighting social service workforce developments in eight sub-Saharan countries from 2010 to 2015. A structured questionnaire including open- and close-ended questions was used to elicit data regarding workforce-strengthening efforts. The findings describe the movement made in the planning, support and development of social service workforces in these countries. Policies supporting workforce development have been introduced. Educational options have been enhanced and diversified. In all countries studied, a tiered social service workforce is being expanded. I argue, however, that false assumptions regarding the disaggregation of social work tasks weaken the conceptualisation of such a diversified social service workforce. Further, the support and development of the social service workforce are undermined because processes of indigenisation remain superficial, privileging Western knowledges. Finally, the legitimised engagement of international donors drives the focus of the workforce towards crisis-driven, single-issue, individualised interventions. Only by confronting these concerns can a strong, responsive, sustainable social service workforce be developed.

Global South, child and youth work, social service workforce strengthening, social service workforce sustainability, social work