SCK4805 Community Work: Planning and Integrated Practice
Assignment 02 Semester 02 2025
, Question 1
At Roseville Primary School in Polokwane, the school social worker is confronted with a
complex situation: many learners struggle with learning difficulties, yet there has been a
significant lack of professional support and resources. The surrounding community
faces deep-rooted poverty, which not only limits access to educational services but also
leads to minimal parental involvement in school activities. In response to these realities,
the most suitable approach to guide interventions is the developmental model of
community work, as described by Weyers (2011).
This model is particularly relevant because it focuses on empowerment and capacity-
building within disadvantaged communities. Rather than viewing the community as
passive recipients of aid, the developmental model encourages active involvement from
stakeholders including parents, educators, and government departments. In this case,
the collaboration between the Department of Education and the school social worker,
who plans to bring in an educational psychologist, is a clear example of how
professional and community efforts can be integrated to support learners more
holistically.
What makes the developmental model particularly fitting is its emphasis on intersectoral
collaboration. Weyers (2011) highlights that when different sectors such as education,
social services, and the broader community work together, the response becomes more
sustainable and aligned with the real needs of the people. Lombard (2008) supports this
view by noting that community development must move beyond individual interventions
and aim to transform the systems that perpetuate inequality.
Furthermore, the model’s focus on sustainability and ownership ensures that the
solutions developed are not merely temporary fixes. In this case, efforts to engage
parents and raise awareness about learning difficulties can foster a culture of support
around learners, encouraging parents to take a more active role in their children’s
education. Patel (2005) argues that developmental social work should not only address
Assignment 02 Semester 02 2025
, Question 1
At Roseville Primary School in Polokwane, the school social worker is confronted with a
complex situation: many learners struggle with learning difficulties, yet there has been a
significant lack of professional support and resources. The surrounding community
faces deep-rooted poverty, which not only limits access to educational services but also
leads to minimal parental involvement in school activities. In response to these realities,
the most suitable approach to guide interventions is the developmental model of
community work, as described by Weyers (2011).
This model is particularly relevant because it focuses on empowerment and capacity-
building within disadvantaged communities. Rather than viewing the community as
passive recipients of aid, the developmental model encourages active involvement from
stakeholders including parents, educators, and government departments. In this case,
the collaboration between the Department of Education and the school social worker,
who plans to bring in an educational psychologist, is a clear example of how
professional and community efforts can be integrated to support learners more
holistically.
What makes the developmental model particularly fitting is its emphasis on intersectoral
collaboration. Weyers (2011) highlights that when different sectors such as education,
social services, and the broader community work together, the response becomes more
sustainable and aligned with the real needs of the people. Lombard (2008) supports this
view by noting that community development must move beyond individual interventions
and aim to transform the systems that perpetuate inequality.
Furthermore, the model’s focus on sustainability and ownership ensures that the
solutions developed are not merely temporary fixes. In this case, efforts to engage
parents and raise awareness about learning difficulties can foster a culture of support
around learners, encouraging parents to take a more active role in their children’s
education. Patel (2005) argues that developmental social work should not only address
