The Department of Correctional Services invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for Social Worker Grade 1 positions available across multiple regions in South Africa. A total of 46 posts are available with a salary of R325 200 per annum. These positions require a BA Degree in Social Work, registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, computer literacy, and a valid driver’s licence (not applicable to applicants with disabilities).

Successful candidates will provide needs-based social work services to offenders through individual interventions, group work, community programmes, research, and administrative duties. Responsibilities include conducting assessments, monitoring and evaluating social work interventions, promoting social work services, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to support rehabilitation and service delivery within correctional centres.

Position: Social Worker Grade 1 (X46 Posts)
Salary: R325 200 per annum
Closing Date: 10 April 2026 at 15:45

Locations and Reference Numbers

Eastern Cape Region

• Sada: Butterworth (Ref: EC 2026/03/44)
• Mthatha Med (Ref: EC 2026/03/45) (2 posts)
• St Albans: Port Elizabeth (Ref: EC 2026/03/46)
• St Albans Max (Ref: EC 2026/03/47)
• Kirkwood (Ref: EC 2026/03/48)

Free State and Northern Cape Region

• Tswelopele (Ref: FSNC 2026/03/89)
• Vereeniging (Ref: FSNC 2026/03/90)
• Parys (Ref: FSNC 2026/03/91)
• Richmond (Ref: FSNC 2026/03/92)

Gauteng Region

• Johannesburg (Ref: GP 2026/03/97)
• Johannesburg Med C (Ref: GP 2026/03/98)
• Leeuwkop Med A (Ref: GP 2026/03/99)
• Leeuwkop Med C (Ref: GP 2026/03/100)
• Kgoši Mampuru II: Atteridgeville (Ref: GP 2026/03/101)
• Zonderwater Med A (Ref: GP 2026/03/102)

KwaZulu-Natal Region

• Durban Med B (Ref: KZN 2026/03/51) (3 posts)
• Vryheid (Ref: KZN 2026/03/52)
• Sevontein (Ref: KZN 2026/03/53)
• Umzinto (Ref: KZN 2026/03/54)
• Durban Community Corrections (Ref: KZN 2026/03/55)

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region

• Bethal: Standerton Med A (Ref: LMN 2026/03/77)
• Barberton: Youth Town Centre (Ref: LMN 2026/03/78)
• Rooigrond: Rooigrond Med A (Ref: LMN 2026/03/79)
• Rustenburg: Losperfontein (Ref: LMN 2026/03/80)

Western Cape Region

• Allandale (Obiqua) (Ref: WC 2026/03/94)
• Allandale (Hawequa) (Ref: WC 2026/03/95)
• Brandvlei Max (Ref: WC 2026/03/96) (2 posts)
• Breede River: Robertson Community Corrections (Ref: WC 2026/03/97)
• Overberg Med (Ref: WC 2026/03/98)
• Pollsmoor Female (Ref: WC 2026/03/99)
• Southern Cape: Knysna (Ref: WC 2026/03/100)
• Southern Cape: Ladysmith (Ref: WC 2026/03/101)
• Drakenstein: Stellenbosch (Ref: WC 2026/03/102)
• Goodwood: Bellville Community Corrections (Ref: WC 2026/03/103)

Minimum Requirements

• BA Degree in Social Work
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions
• Computer literacy
• Valid driver’s licence (not applicable to applicants with disabilities)

Competencies and Attributes

• Problem solving and decision making
• Facilitation and presentation skills
• Planning, organising, leading and control
• Project management ability
• Counselling skills
• Policy and legislation interpretation
• Conflict management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Knowledge of Public Service policies and legislative frameworks
• Service delivery and client orientation
• Integrity and honesty
• Assertiveness and networking ability
• Willingness to travel
• Stakeholder coordination and collaboration skills

Key Responsibilities

• Provide needs-based social work services to offenders through individual intervention, group work, community work, research and administration
• Conduct individual assessments
• Promote and market social work services
• Monitor and evaluate intervention programmes and services
• Coordinate community-based support initiatives
• Perform social work administration functions

Closing Date: 10 April 2026 at 15:45

How to Apply

Application Instructions – Social Worker Grade 1 (X46 Posts)

Applications must be submitted on the Z83 Application Form (Public Service form) obtainable from any Public Service department. The form must be completed in full and correctly signed. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be attached to the application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, registration certificate, ID document, and driver’s licence (where applicable). Certified copies must not be older than six (6) months and must be submitted on or before the interview date. Applications must clearly indicate the correct reference number of the post applied for. Each post requires a separate application.

Applications must be submitted in PDF format when applying by email. Applicants with disabilities are not required to submit a valid driver’s licence where it is listed as a requirement. Shortlisted candidates will undergo qualification verification, criminal record verification, security vetting, and security clearance processes. Appointment remains provisional pending security clearance approval. Fingerprints may be taken during the interview process. Two pre-entry assessments will be conducted, including a technical suitability assessment and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.

Applications must be submitted to the relevant regional office listed below:

Eastern Cape Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X9013, East London
Hand Delivery: Moore Street, Block E Ocean Terrace Quigney, East London, 5211
Contact Persons: Ms Myataza Z (043) 706 7866 / Ms Mgugudo N (043) 706 7882

Free State and Northern Cape Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X20530, Bloemfontein, 9300
Hand Delivery: 103 Zastron Street, Agrimed Building, Bloemfontein, 9300
Contact Persons: Ms Mkuni NJ / Ms Molutsoane N / Ms Radebe T / Ms Ramncwana B (082) 306 9027

Gauteng Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X393, Pretoria, 0001
Hand Delivery: 1077 Forum East Building, Arcadia Street, Hatfield
Contact Persons: Mr Masango SS (012) 420 0173 / Ms Feni SAP (012) 420 0173 / (012) 420 0179

KwaZulu-Natal Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X9126, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Hand Delivery: Correctional Services, Eugene Marais Road, Napierville, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Contact Persons: Mr Singh M (033) 355 7380 / Ms Zuma NI (033) 355 7367

Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X142, Pretoria, 0001
Hand Delivery: Cnr Johannes Ramokhoase (Proes) & Paul Kruger Street, 196 Masada Building, 09th Floor, Pretoria, 0001
Contact Persons: Mr Buthelezi Z (012) 306 2025 / Ms Nomvela PM (012) 306 2033 / Ms Lekhuleni TD (012) 306 2034

Western Cape Region
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Recruitment Section, P/Bag X14, Goodwood, 7459
Hand Delivery: Peninsula Drive, Monte Vista, 7460
Contact Persons: Ms NA Mdladlamba (021) 550 6014 / Ms A Reddy (021) 559 7929 / Mr S Sikisazane (021) 558 0108 / Ms NC Sotyibi (021) 558 0518

Applicants must indicate race, gender, and disability status on the application form or CV in support of employment equity objectives. Applicants who previously retired from the Public Service with a determination that they cannot be re-appointed, or who were declared medically unfit, will not be considered.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If no feedback is received within three (3) months after the closing date, the application should be regarded as unsuccessful. All costs associated with the application process remain the responsibility of the applicant.