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For many children, school is more than just a place to learn; it’s where they spend most of their day, form relationships, and build their sense of self.
For many children, school is more than just a place to learn; it’s where they spend most of their day, form relationships, and build their sense of self. That’s why schools play such an important role in creating supportive, healthy, and safe environments where every child can thrive.
One of the most impactful ways schools can support student well-being is by having a qualified social worker on-site. These professionals not only provide emotional and psychosocial support to learners but also help bridge the gap between parents, teachers, and students, ensuring that each child’s needs are understood and met.
“Mental health support is important because children spend most of their day at school, and what they feel and experience emotionally often shows up in their learning and behaviour,” says Ntlaletse Malapane, Assistant Principal: Social Services and Counsellor at SPARK Rivonia High.
“If a child is anxious, grieving, or struggling with family or peer challenges, it can make focusing on academics almost impossible,” she adds. “Having support in place at schools helps children feel safe, understood, and cared for — so they can thrive not only academically but also in their personal growth.”
Trained to identify early signs of emotional or behavioural challenges, social workers play a critical role in noticing when a learner may need support, whether it’s due to trauma, family challenges, or social pressures.
According to SPARK Primary Schools Child Protection Officer, Tshegofatso Komape, the work of social workers extends beyond one-on-one counselling.
“Social workers can also educate teachers and support staff on concerning behaviours that may be red flags for mental health decline,” she explains. “They help facilitate group interventions and create classroom environments that nurture and support the emotional well-being of scholars.”
She adds that schools are where mental issues are often picked up. Teachers can start to see certain behaviours in students, such as isolation, declining grades, or loss of interest in activities the scholar previously enjoyed participating in.
“Many scholars face challenges at home, such as adverse childhood experiences, which can cause trauma and affect their ability to learn,” Komape adds. “Mental health support in schools ensures that these issues are picked up early and that interventions are put in place with both internal and external stakeholders to support learners and their families.”
Komape advises parents to be intentional, consistent, and willing to unlearn behaviours that may seem easy and effective in the short term but can harm a child’s mental health, the parent-child relationship, and the overall trajectory of a child’s life.
“We are raising children for the world to be effective members of society. Therefore, we need to model behaviours that shape their characters positively: practice positive parenting, express kindness, be involved in their lives, and be intentional,” says Komape.
It is also important for parents to ask for help when needed. Once you notice changes in your child’s behaviour, speak to a professional.
For students, a social worker provides a safe and trusted adult they can turn to when they need help.
For parents, it’s someone who can help them understand their child’s needs and walk the journey with them.
And for teachers, it’s knowing they’re not alone in supporting learners through emotional or personal struggles; there’s a professional equipped to offer targeted assistance.
“A social worker brings balance and ensures that the school is a place where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed — both inside and outside the classroom,” says Nthaletse.
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