_{Caption: Department for Child Protection social worker Kajal Pandya in Murray Bridge.}

Growing up in India, Kajal Pandya said child protection as a system ‘didn’t really exist’.

When she moved to Australia in 2019 to study a social sciences degree, Kajal was intrigued by the work of the Department for Child Protection and the ability of workers to help change the trajectory of a child’s life.

“I did a placement early on where I discovered the work of the Department for Child Protection. I reflected on my own upbringing in India, and that a child protection system didn’t really exist.

“I decided I really wanted to help children and young people live their best lives and that social work could be a way to do this.”

Kajal switched her field of study – and competed a Bachelor of Social Work at UniSA in 2024. She joined DCP’s Assessment and Reunification team at Murray Bridge as a social worker soon after.

“I’ve been able to see how your work in the field can really change the trajectory of a child’s life,” she said.

“Being able to build a connection with a family, with services like schools and hospitals and seeing these really positive changes has been so rewarding.”

In the lead up to World Social Work Day on 18 March, Minister for Child Protection and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Katrine Hildyard thanked the Department for Child Protection’s more than 700 social workers, the hundreds who work across the child protection and family support system more broadly and those empowering women affected by violence.

“The professionalism and expertise of the social workers who undertake one of the most difficult and challenging but most rewarding jobs is remarkable” she said.

“World Social Work Day is a great opportunity to shine a light on the vital role social workers undertake daily in helping children to feel safe, healthy and supported to meet their goals and families and women facing really challenging circumstances to know they are not alone.

“Social workers are highly skilled, dedicated, wise and compassionate and walk alongside people when they face really difficult times, empowering them to traverse new paths. I wholeheartedly thank social workers for everything they do to support children, young people, women and families.  They make such a positive difference in the lives of many.”

This year’s theme is: Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing.

While Kajal is relatively new in her career, the intergenerational aspects of child protection became immediately apparent.

“I have seen how behaviours can be passed from generation to generation and while we are doing a lot of work to break intergenerational cycles, it’s also important to strengthen the ties between generations. It’s complex but enjoyable work,” Kajal said.