Dr. Nelia Drenth

13/06/2026

EthicsQ | June 2026

Professional boundaries are like ethical fences that mark and protect the territory of the client-social worker connection. Clear contracting at the time of the ‘first hello’, staying within social work scope of practice, and remaining professionally disciplined throughout the process all help to uphold boundaries.

However, despite our best intentions, boundaries may unintentionally be crossed — for example when dual relationships are not managed appropriately, when we become overly helpful, overdo self-disclosure, or connect with clients on social media platforms. Boundary crossings can work against clients’ best interests.

This month’s EthicsQ invites you to reflect:
Boundary crossings may happen despite — and sometimes because of — good intentions. Be intentional about professional boundaries with each client, and seek supervision or collegial support when feeling stretched beyond ethical lines.

20/05/2026

🎉 ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW CPD POINTS FOR 2026!! 🎉
After 10 years of presenting this workshop, I am excited (and relieved 😅) to share that:
⚖️ “Statutory Work and Report Writing Regarding Children” has once again been approved for 16 CPD points!
A little bit of fun background…
📍 2016 – my very first accreditation for this workshop and also my first workshop
📍 Over the years the points have gone on their own little journey. 😄
19 ➡️ 14 ➡️ 16 ➡️ 15 ➡️ and now… back to 16 CPD points!
One thing that has remained the same over the years:
💚 My passion for child protection, practical statutory work and helping practitioners feel more confident when working with children and writing reports.
Who should attend this workshop?
✅ Social workers involved in child protection or statutory work
✅ Social auxiliary workers supporting child protection services
✅ Supervisors supporting practitioners in statutory services
✅ Anyone who wants to strengthen their confidence in court reports, Form 38 reports, assessments, ethics and defensible decision-making
Why attend?
Because statutory work is not easy.
We work with:
⚖️ Court reports
📝 Assessments and investigations
👧 Children in need of care and protection
📂 Evidence gathering
🗣️ Court testimony
💚 Difficult decisions that impact children’s lives
This workshop focuses on practical application, not just theory but helping practitioners connect legislation, ethics, assessment, report writing and child protection practice in a way that makes sense in real life.
And yes… after 10 years, I am still learning, adapting and grateful to continue this journey with so many amazing practitioners 🙏💚
The next workshop takes place over 4 mornings via zoom from 08h30 - 13h00: 23/06; 24/06; 30/06 and 1/07.
📧 For information or bookings, contact Maryke at [email protected]

19/05/2026

You’re warmly invited to join us for the Sungardens Mamelodi Open Day ❤️
Come spend the morning with us, meet our team and learn more about the care and support Sungardens provides to patients and families in the community.

There’s no pressure or expectations, just a welcoming space where people can connect, ask questions and feel supported.

🍲 Soup and bread will be available on the day, kindly sponsored by Shoprite South Africa.

📅 29 May 2026
🕘 09:00 – 13:00
📍 The open space across SOS Children’s Village, Mamelodi East

We’d love to meet you there ❤️

15/05/2026

Keep your profile current and working for you.

Take a moment to update your details on the SAASWIPP Platform to ensure you stay connected and visible within the network.

Simply log in and select “Profile Details” to make your updates.

Did you know?
Members over 70 qualify for discounted yearly fees—but we need to be informed for this benefit to apply.

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

I see that huge boulder of grief that you’re carrying on your shoulders. Solid, unwavering. Like a mountain that you’re hauling down a never-ending road.

But one day it will begin to break down into slightly smaller pieces, and you’ll find that you can pack these rocks of grief into a rucksack and carry it on your back.

One day you will find a wagon, and you will load it up with those rocks, and push forward; a little more easily than before.

And one day, much further down the road, you will find that you carry your grief as pebbles in every pocket of every garment that you ever wear and will ever own.

Right now, it is this overwhelmingly huge, heavy, oppressive boulder that is threatening to flatten you at any moment.

And one day it will be that very same rock; that very same boulder. But it will be broken up differently. Scattered in pieces amongst every pocket of your whole being.
Just the same heaviness. But easier to hold.

Because that’s the thing about grief:
It doesn’t get lighter.

We just learn how to carry it.

*****

Becky Hemsley 2024
Beautiful artwork by Elisabeth on Earth

'Rocks' is from my grief and loss collection, I Missed You Quietly Today
(details in comments)

12/05/2026

05/05/2026

Send a message to learn more

17/04/2026

Please welcome the SAASWIPP leaders. Send us your comments and suggestions. And don't forget to volunteer your skills, your mentorskap and your service. [email protected] or [email protected]

02/03/2026

COPING WITH BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP!

SACSSP 6 5 CPD

Most of us were trained in the “five stages of grief.”

But grief is not linear — and neither is healing.

Join this full-day online training on the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement and deepen your clinical understanding of how clients actually live with loss.

🗓 6 March 2026
💻 Live on Zoom
📜 SACSSP CPD pending
🎓 Certificate included
⚠️ Limited to 20 participants

This workshop is ideal for social workers, counsellors, psychologists, pastoral carers and healthcare professionals ready to move toward a more practical, compassionate model of grief work.

Register here:
https://forms.gle/ueMVuFNbZQXjAA7KA
or contact [email protected]