Oncology Social Work Orientation Programme 2026

Oncology Social Work Training – Professional Recognition & Momentum

The current Oncology Social Work Training Programme is in full swing — and we are deeply encouraged by the level of engagement and professional commitment shown by participating colleagues.

We are proud to share that the Council for Social Service Professions has allocated 9 CPD points per session, amounting to a total of 64 CPD points across the seven-week programme.

This is a significant professional acknowledgement of the depth, rigor, and clinical standard of this training. It affirms the relevance of specialised oncology and palliative care social work practice in South Africa’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Oncology social work is not general practice with a different name. It requires advanced clinical skill, ethical clarity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the emotional intelligence to walk alongside patients and families facing serious illness. This CPD allocation reflects that standard.

Structured CPD Training for Social Workers in Oncology & Palliative Care

Programme Snapshot (Quick View)

  • Format: Live online (interactive)
  • Duration: 7 sessions (weekly)
  • Session length: 1 hour 45 minutes (17:30–19:15)
  • Preparation: ±1 hour reading after Session 2
  • Total notional hours (planned): ±28
  • CPD Accreditation: 2026 submission pending
  • Previous accreditation: 12.5 CPD points (14 hours)

Programme Structure & Session Titles

(Progressive learning from foundations to advanced reflective practice)

Session 1 – Foundations of Oncology Social Work

Learning focus:
Understanding cancer as a disease process, treatment pathways, and the psychosocial implications of cancer within the South African health system.

CPD competencies:
Foundational knowledge · Contextual awareness · Ethical role clarity

Session 2 – The Role of the Oncology Social Worker: Contexts, Standards & Professional Identity

Learning focus:
Clarifying scope of practice, ethical responsibilities, professional boundaries, and multidisciplinary collaboration across public, private, hospice, and community settings.

CPD competencies:
Ethical practice · Professional identity · MDT engagement

Session 3 – Patient and Family Needs Across the Cancer Trajectory: Distress and Transitions

Learning focus:
Understanding psychosocial distress, trauma responses, and family needs across diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, survivorship, and palliative care.

CPD competencies:
Distress recognition · Trauma-informed practice · Continuity of care

Session 4 – Comprehensive Psychosocial Assessment in Oncology Social Work

Learning focus:
Developing structured, relational, and ethically grounded psychosocial assessments to guide intervention and MDT communication.

CPD competencies:
Assessment skills · Clinical reasoning · Ethical documentation

Session 5 – Patient-Active Distress Management in Oncology Social Work

Learning focus:
Applying patient-active, skills-based interventions to support anxiety regulation, coping, emotional containment, and engagement in care.

CPD competencies:
Intervention skills · Patient-centred care · Applied clinical competence

Session 6 – Narrative Therapy, Meaning-Making, and Reasonable Hope

Learning focus:
Working with identity disruption, uncertainty, loss, survivorship, and end-of-life concerns through narrative and meaning-centred approaches.

CPD competencies:
Advanced therapeutic practice · Reflective depth · Ethical witnessing

Session 7 – Patient-Centred, Ethical and Accountable Oncology Social Work Practice

Learning focus:
Integrating ethical reasoning, reflective practice, professional accountability, and sustainability in oncology social work.

CPD competencies:
Ethical decision-making · Reflective practice · Professional accountability

Learning Commitment & CPD Expectations

From Session 3 onwards, participants are required to complete approximately one hour of preparatory reading per session.
This preparation:

  • Deepens in-session discussion
  • Supports applied case-based learning
  • Contributes to the programme’s expanded notional learning hours (±28)
  • Aligns with SACSSP expectations for structured CPD

CPD Competency Alignment (Summary)
This programme supports development across the following SACSSP-aligned domains:

  • Ethical practice and professional conduct
  • Oncology-specific professional competence
  • Reflective practice and use of self
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration
  • Patient-centred and trauma-informed care
  • Professional identity, accountability, and sustainability

2026 Intake Dates(Choose One Group)

Group 1
Wednesdays 18 February – 2 April 2026
17:30 – 19:15

Group 2
Wednesdays 6 May – 18 June 2026
17:30 – 19:15

Group 3
Wednesdays 1 August – 16 September 2026
17:30 – 19:15

Group 4
Wednesdays 7 October – 18 November 2026
17:30 – 19:15

Fees & Payment Plan
Total fee: R3,801
3-part payment plan available:

  1. R1267 on registration
  2. R1267 before Session 1
  3. R1267 before Session 6

Payment details are :

 L Greeff Prac, Capitec Flexible Savings Account, number 1457122284.

Please email the proof of payment to info@lindagreeff.co.za please to secure your place.

To secure you place payment upon registration. For more information or assistance, please contact us through our info@lindagreeff.co.za

 For registration, please complete the contact form:

 Click here to register


Course Topics:

  1. Understanding Cancer: An overview of cancer biology and treatment modalities.
  2. The Role of the Social Worker: Exploring responsibilities and scope within oncology care teams.
  3. Psychosocial Assessment: Unpacking distress in patients and understanding the impact on families.
  4.  Distress Management Assessment in Oncology Social Work (Oncology social works role in treating distress in oncology patient.

  5. Oncology social work interventions Discuss: (Building a relationship with ne cancer patients/Holding space / therapeutic models of individual counselling /Patient active model of wellness community5. Oncology social work interventions Discuss: (Building a relationship with ne cancer patients/Holding space / therapeutic models of individual counselling /Patient active model of wellness community

  6.  Understanding Patient-Centred Care /: Building sustainable hope/ Role of the MDT
  7. Ethical issues in oncology social work / Basics of OSW private practice / building resilience

What to Expect: The program offers interactive sessions, combining theoretical insights with practical applications. Each session is supported by individual reading materials, access to an extensive literature repository via Google Drive, and a comprehensive resource list for further exploration. Hands-on learning focuses on building confidence in oncology social work practices. 

Course Goals:

  • Orient social workers to the fundamentals of oncology care.
  • Clarify the social worker’s role across the cancer care continuum.
  • Enhance skills in assessing and addressing psychosocial distress.
  • Empower social workers with knowledge and resources for impactful interventions.

Testimonials from Previous Participants:

Participants from the 1st training sessions from February to March 2025 . Thank you for your participation and feedback.

We will evolve this training together

Linday  Beukes

  • The facilitator provided were well-curated reading , offering in-depth insights into assessment tools, psychosocial challenges, and intervention strategies. They were resourceful in reinforcing session topics and provided practical guidance for application in real-world settings.

Abigail Haley

  • Was a lovely and simple overview for social workers to understand more about cancer, and the terminology and medical treatments that one will encounter and have a basic understanding of. Really helpful and insightful
  • I thought the manner in which all group participants were able to engage and share their thoughts and experiences today was really helpful to engagement and the learning process.
  • Reading and resources insightful and practical! Will be printing the Cancer Experience Map as a valuable tool to have on hand in sessions. The worksheet is also wonderful to have active on each case to ensure all needed areas are assessed to inform therapeutic and support process.
  • Wonderful session! I greatly appreciated the group discussion format and feel that my queries re assessment after last session have been well addressed.

Helene Smit

  • Wealth of information shared, including personal experience and the importance of practicing oncology social work with high standards and integrity.
  • Not only assessment theory was shared, but also invaluable practice application. Prompting by facilitator to illicit engagement from participants which led  to great perspectives being shared.
  • Linda has the ability to integrate the theory with the application thereof effortlessly. Greater learning happens because of this! Wealth of academic information (e.g. assessment scales), books and personal experience shared)
  • Plenty information shared! On industry, books, online resources, courses and South Arican forums.
  • Assessment is not merely a tick-box process, but part of the continuum of care. Your assessment and reports need to be rich with inferences drawn. An impeccable assessment proves your value as part of the clinical team. 

 Maritza Smit 

  • Was interesting and content was based on social work theory. Practical examples helped a lot to understand content.
  • Presenter is well equipped and has extensive knowledge of the subject.

Nomkhosi Qwabe

  • Linda shared generously about her knowledge in Oncology Social Work and the importance of staying informed through doing research .
  • In depth content was shared regarding the role of the Social Worker. The importance of building your relevant resource list in the community where you can refere your patients and their families, to build resilience for both patient and theirl loved ones. Also discussed the main role as helping to optimize the quality of life for the patient and reduce their stress levels.
  • Theory of how we prepare to engage with new a oncology patient, understanding your goal of reaching out, and what type of open ended questions etc information was shared accompanied with practical examples making it easier to understand and figuring out how I can begin applying information shared in my practice.


Let’s work together to build a network of skilled and compassionate oncology social workers who can provide exceptional care in a challenging field.