SWIMS APP training for WCED social workers
The Western Cape Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Social Work Integrated Management System Application (SWIMS App) is expanding.
On Tuesday, 5 August 2025, DSD provided training on the system to Western Cape Education Department (WCED) social workers. This is the second Western Cape Government (WCG) department to receive training on how to utilise SWIMS, after DSD launched the application in July last year.
The training follows a decision by the WCG Cabinet in May 2025 to expand the SWIMS app across the provincial government.
Benefits of the SWIMS app include:
- The ability to track all social work interventions rendered by social workers in the province.
- Providing an overview of problems per area addressed by social workers.
- Providing data to be used for provincial priorities.
- Strengthening collaboration between all spheres of government.
- Improved record-keeping.
Provincial Minister of Education David Maynier said, “The innovative SWIMS app will help to improve coordination and allow our WCED social workers to spend less time on administrative work and more time supporting our learners in the Western Cape."
Currently 1141 DSD social workers are using this technology. The department has also trained two Designated Child Protection Organisations (DCPO), Stellcare and Valley Development Projects, on the system. 44 Stellcare social workers and 14 Valley Development Projects social workers are on the system.
Provincial Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said, “Thank you to the WCED for getting on board with the SWIMS app. We are looking forward to further rolling out the system, so that we can have an integrated network that makes case monitoring more effective across departments. For the residents we serve, this is important as it could lead to better referral pathways between departments. This means social workers can see which interventions have been done and what is still required, so that the residents they care for receive the necessary support. It will also help mitigate the risk of cases slipping through the cracks, whether in government or the NGO sector, and provide our residents with the best possible services."
DSD is planning to expand the SWIMS app to other WCG departments that employ social workers and NGOs in the child protection space.
Media enquiries:
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer to Minister Jaco Londt
Department of Social Development