SOCIAL WORKER: SOCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL: ECD: REF NO:

This position is for a Social Worker within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) directorate of the Western Cape Education Department, based in Cape Town. The role is offered as a three-year contract and falls under the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) remuneration structure, with the starting salary determined by the number of years of experience the successful candidate has accumulated after their professional registration. The work sits at the intersection of social services and early learning, focusing on the administrative and compliance backbone that supports ECD registration, infrastructure support, and subsidies across the district.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate certificate or bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Social Auxiliary Work, and must be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Profession as a Social Worker or Social Auxiliary Worker. At least two years of practical experience in social work or social auxiliary work is required. Beyond the formal qualifications, the department is looking for someone with solid knowledge of early childhood development principles, including age-appropriate stimulation and play-based learning, as well as a firm grasp of the policies and legislation that govern ECD provisioning. Familiarity with the ECD registration requirements and the ECD subsidy process is essential, as is strong administrative and compliance capability—particularly regarding record keeping, documentation management, and the accurate application of registration rules. The role also demands the ability to monitor attendance, incidents, and programme progress, to mobilise community resources, to work collaboratively with NGOs, clinics, schools, and other government departments, and to handle sensitive information confidentially and ethically.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide comprehensive administrative and compliance support across the three main ECD business processes: registration, infrastructure support, and subsidies. This involves processing, organising, and tracking centre-level documentation required for registration and funding, as well as uploading and managing digital records of ECD programmes on DBE-approved platforms. The role includes monitoring application progress, flagging incomplete or incorrect submissions, and preparing district-level reports and data updates, including evidence for site visit readiness. The social worker will also liaise with district officials, ECD centres, and field staff to coordinate follow-ups and site visits, and will be responsible for mapping and updating ECD centre information at district level. The role further requires accompanying provincial or district officials on ECD site visits to support document collection, engage with practitioners, and help resolve registration and subsidy queries. This is a hands-on position that combines social work values with rigorous administrative oversight, ensuring that ECD centres meet regulatory standards and receive the funding and support they need to provide quality early learning experiences.