Social Worker - Crisis Intervention and Intake

About the role

This social worker serves as the first point of contact for community members, providing immediate emotional support and psychosocial assessments for individuals and families seeking help. The role covers structured intake, crisis intervention and access to services, with strict confidentiality and compliance with POPIA and professional standards. It works with multidisciplinary teams, referral networks and community stakeholders to coordinate care and manage cases.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver immediate crisis intervention, trauma containment, emotional support and safeguarding for callers and distressed individuals.
• Guide clients through available services, admissions processes, documentation requirements and access pathways.
• Conduct psychosocial, financial and home-based care needs assessments by telephone, face-to-face, home visits and hospital visits.
• Evaluate referrals from telephone, email, website, families, professionals and internal divisions, and report and escalate at-risk matters promptly.
• Facilitate referrals to internal divisions and external community resources after assessment.
• Verify, collate and process supporting documentation for ongoing service delivery.
• Maintain accurate electronic client records, intake documents, assessment reports and case notes, plus enquiry logs, statistics and community resource networks.
• Take part in supervision, performance reviews, staff meetings and continuous professional development.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling.
• Professional registration with the SACSSP or HPCSA.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience conducting psychosocial, financial and home-based care needs assessments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of crisis intervention, trauma containment and safeguarding.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to make home and hospital visits.
• Desirable: strong problem-solving, emotional resilience, clinical judgement, independent and team work, and computer literacy with electronic case management systems.