Since beginning her career in social work, Rosi Thotage has been struck by the similarities among families’ needs in Australia and her mother country, Sri Lanka.

“I came over as a student to do my Masters at Flinders University, and was lucky to find a job in child protection and kick off my career,” she says.

“I wasn’t thinking there would be this many child protection issues in Australia. From being in a third-world country, I thought Australia might not have similar issues to Sri Lanka but since I started at DCP, my whole thinking pattern has changed.”

Rosi began work at the Department for Child Protection’s Murray Bridge office last year, supporting families facing a range of issues, from substance use, to domestic and family violence, poverty, intergenerational trauma and homelessness.

As we mark World Social Work Day (17 March), the Department for Child Protection is celebrating the important work carried out by social workers across the state, including Rosi.

Compassionate work comes naturally to the 34-year-old, who in Sri Lanka, worked for non-government organisations specialising in community development, supporting women, young people and those who needed help with substance use.

“I grew up with Buddhism and Christianity because of my Mum and Dad, and the culture is to help each other. I also thought my career should be something where I work with people and not in an office-based situation,” says Rosi, who has a passion for working in remote areas.

While there are many parallels between families’ needs in Sri Lanka and Australia, Rosi has found a much stronger support system in her new home state.

That includes systems providing for the swift investigation of urgent child protection notifications, a foster care network linking children with safe family-based placements, and an intricate web of agencies offering wrap-around supports for families.

Rosi works with families to address child protection concerns, building a rapport with parents and linking them with specific supports to suit their needs, so they can create a safe environment for their children.

“It’s a very rewarding job,” she says.

“I had a young person saying, ‘You’re the best social worker I’ve ever had’, which makes me feel so good! It’s about being there for them to hear their stories.

“Being there and helping them to be safe makes my heart full.”

World Social Work Day highlights the vital role social workers play bringing people together across communities, cultures and systems to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Department for Child Protection Chief Executive Jackie Bray said the agency’s social workers showed professionalism, expertise and compassion, helping achieve better outcomes for families and communities.

“Their work is complex and can at times be heartbreaking,” she said.

“They provide a listening ear for children and young people, putting their best interests at the centre of all they do, and they walk alongside families, supporting them to create safe home environments. I can’t thank them enough for all they do to support families across South Australia.”