BY PHUMELELE GAMEDZE
MBABANE– The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday equipped social workers with advanced digital case management skills and wellness support, strengthening child protection services and improving care for vulnerable children across Eswatini.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPMO), through the Department of Social Welfare, yesterday held a refresher training course on the Child Protection Management Information System (CPMIS) at the UN House in Mbabane. The programme brought together social workers from across the country to strengthen their knowledge of the digital system while also promoting their mental wellbeing.
The training focused on improving participants’ ability to use CPMIS effectively in managing child protection cases. The system enables social workers to record, monitor and follow up cases involving vulnerable children more efficiently, ensuring that services are delivered promptly, accurately and in the best interests of every child.
By strengthening their understanding of the platform, social workers are expected to improve case coordination, enhance record keeping and support informed decision-making. This will help ensure that children facing abuse, neglect or other forms of vulnerability receive timely interventions and appropriate protection services.
Recognising that social workers often carry significant emotional responsibilities, the programme also addressed the importance of their own wellbeing through two dedicated wellness presentations.
The first session, delivered by the Psychiatric Services, Clinical Health and Counselling Centre (PSCHAAC), focused on Burnout Awareness. Participants learned to recognise the warning signs and causes of professional burnout while exploring practical strategies to build resilience, manage workplace stress and prioritise self-care.
The second presentation introduced the Basics of Counselling, equipping social workers with essential counselling skills and practical communication techniques. The session emphasised empathetic listening, ethical practice and professional engagement when supporting children, families and other vulnerable members of society.
The combination of technical training and personal wellness demonstrated the DPMO’s commitment to strengthening both the professional capacity and emotional resilience of frontline social workers.
As the first point of support for many vulnerable children and families, social workers play a critical role in protecting lives and restoring hope. By investing in their skills, knowledge and wellbeing, the DPMO continues to strengthen Eswatini’s child protection system and ensure that every vulnerable child has a better chance of growing up safe, supported and protected.
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(Courtesy Pic)
