Social work for youth development in Botswana: a case for a developmental approach

This study examines the role of social work in youth development and socio-economic empowerment in Botswana. A qualitative research approach was adopted, with data collected through face to face semi-structured interviews with 20 professionally qualified social workers employed as Programme Officers in the Ministry of Youth. Participants were systematically selected from a sampling frame obtained from the Ministry, comprising 8 males and 12 females. Data were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that social workers perform roles extending beyond traditional welfare practice, including youth programme implementation, entrepreneurship support, project monitoring and community mobilisation. Challenges include the programme driven nature of their roles and limited specialised training in youth development. The study argues for a developmental approach to social work that integrates social wellbeing with youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, participation and socio-economic inclusion. It recommends strengthening social work education, continuous professional development and policy frameworks to better prepare social workers for contemporary youth development practice in Botswana and elsewhere in similar context in Africa and around the globe.