• Certain criteria have to be met before social workers in private practice can become members of SAASWIPP.
• The function of this committee is to ensure that social workers in private practice are adequately trained, experienced and competent, and able to deliver excellent, high quality services to clients.

• The responsibility of this committee is to promote and maintain high standards of professional ethics in private practice.
• The committee leads, guides and maintains ethical standards of practice, and takes disciplinary action against social workers in private practice when required.
• Protects the interests of clients and the public.

• Negotiates with medical aid schemes, the Council for Medical Aid Schemes and the Board of Health Care Funders on behalf of social workers in private practice.
• Obtained practice numbers for social workers in private practice.This enables private social workers to claim reimbursement from Medical Aid Schemes. It is important though to mention that not all Medical Aid Schemes pay for social work services and it is the responsibility of the client to establish whether social work services are included in their medical aid benefits.
• Liaises with other relevant health care providers and service providers.
• Negotiates annual recommended tariff schedules and tariff increases.
• Continues to promote social workers in private practice as valuable and vital service providers.
• Guides members in terms of ICD 10 coding and other diagnostic criteria.

Adoption is a specialized field of social work, and all private social workers involved with adoptions must be accredited by the SAASWIPP Adoption Accreditation Committee. This committee:

• Ensures that adoption workers meet certain standards in terms of training, experience and competence.
• Protects the interests of clients and the public.
• Monitors that standards of service delivery are maintained by accredited adoption workers.

5. The PRO and Marketing Committee:

• Promotes the image of SAASWIPP, social workers in private practice, and the profession of social work in general.
  
• PRO and marketing functions.
  
• Responsible for continued professional development and training of social workers in private practice.
  
• Liaises with the public and refers clients to SAASWIPP members if they are in need of professional services.
  
• Liaises and networks with other professional groups, associations and government and non-governmental organizations.
  
• Established accessible support groups and peer review groups for social workers in private practice.
  
• Liaised with, and represented social workers in private practice in negotiations and dealings with provincial, government and civil society.
  
• Participated in, and influenced relevant social legislation and policy development.
  
• Kept its members informed of and up to date with relevant and latest policies, legislation and developments in practice.

• Successfully negotiated with medical aid schemes to recognize social workers in private practice as valuable service providers. In 1993 social workers in private practice were allocated practice numbers. The recognition of social workers in private practice as legitimate service providers, qualifying for medical aid reimbursements, is conditional upon their professional registration with SACSSP, and accreditation by SAASWIPP.
• Since the allocation of practice numbers, SAASWIPP continued to negotiate with the relevant medical aid councils and statutory bodies for ongoing inclusion of the various services offered by social workers in private practice, and for equitable and reasonable tariffs and tariff increases.
• Developed and instituted ongoing opportunities for professional development and training for its members. The provincial committees organize regular workshops and seminars for its members, and CPD points are awarded for most of the training workshops. Details of such events and workshops are publicized in the newsletters

• Discover many avenues for personal advancement and networking.
• Help advance the quality of social work practice.
• Help build a powerful, collective voice on public policy.
• Help promote and advocate for the profession.
• Be connected and network.

The following specific benefits can be gained when joining SAASWIPP:

• Opportunities for continued professional development provided by SAASWIPP, such as workshops, conferences and seminars, help members develop professional skills and expand their knowledge base.
• Professional development of members is furthermore facilitated by the increase and diffusion of knowledge through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions and publications produced by or organized and coordinated by SAASWIPP.
• SAASWIPP aims to improve the qualifications and services of social workers through the establishment, promotion and maintenance of the highest professional practice standards, ethics and conduct of the members belonging to the association.
• Consultation and supervision services are provided to members. Peer supervision and consultation groups have been established in the various provinces.
• Orientation workshops are organized for all new members who join SAASWIPP.
• Consultation services for social work agencies and organizations can be provided by SAASWIPP.

• Free subscription to the SAASWIPP National and Provincial newsletters.
• Practice resource guides.
• Circulation of relevant publications to members.
• Information about national and international conferences and other training opportunities and events.

• Social workers in private practice can gain many intrinsic rewards from SAASWIPP membership. Through their membership to this professional association members have a unique opportunity to develop and improve interpersonal and communications skills. The networking opportunities are also endless. Activities organized and hosted by SAASWIPP provide excellent opportunities for social workers to interact with, share ideas and information with colleagues and to build relationships with other social workers. Personal enrichment arises from a sense of belonging to a fellowship that shares the same ideals and works towards the same goals.
• An up-to date resource directory containing details of all its members is published and circulated on a regular basis, and direct client referrals to members are done through the SAASWIPP national office, its provincial committees and its members.

• Members are furthermore afforded the opportunity to promote their services, and disseminate relevant information through the publication and circulation of its newsletters, which is sent to members, other health care and social service providers and service delivery organizations, and corporate and public organizations.

5. Insurance:

• SAASWIPP has undertaken the administration of professional indemnity insurance for its members only, after the SACSSP terminated their arrangement with the insurance brokers.
• A competitive rate was negotiated for members.