Social Sciences

Diploma in Social Work

The Diploma in Social Work is a KNEC-examined programme that trains individuals in professional social work practice, case management, and community development. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Trainees develop competencies in social work theory, case work, group work, community organisation, social policy, counselling, research methods, and project management. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with extensive field practice and agency attachments.

Kenya's social sector requires trained social workers to address poverty, child protection, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and community development challenges. The programme supports the government's social protection agenda and the work of NGOs and community-based organisations.

The course is delivered through classroom sessions, field practice, and supervised attachments at social work agencies, children's departments, and NGOs. Trainees conduct case assessments, facilitate group sessions, and implement community interventions under professional supervision.

Graduates can work as social workers, case managers, community development officers, project officers, or counselling assistants in government departments, NGOs, children's homes, and community-based organisations. The programme provides a foundation for progression to Bachelor of Social Work.

This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus) who have a passion for helping vulnerable populations. It provides professional qualifications for social work practice in Kenya.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Social Work Theory
Case Work and Case Management
Group Work
Community Organisation
Social Policy
Counselling
Research Methods
Project Management

Modules

8 in the programme

Social Work Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Introduces social work as a profession, theoretical foundations, practice models, and the role of social workers in society.
Case Work and Case Management
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers case work methods, assessment, intervention planning, case recording, and case management processes.
Group Work
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills in group work practice including group formation, facilitation, group dynamics, and therapeutic groups.
Community Organisation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community organisation principles, community assessment, mobilisation, and community development interventions.
Social Policy and Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces social policy frameworks in Kenya, social protection programmes, and social welfare administration.
Counselling Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops counselling skills including active listening, empathy, crisis intervention, and basic counselling techniques.
Research Methods in Social Work
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces research methods for social work including study design, data collection, and analysis for social interventions.
Project Management
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Covers project management principles for social work projects including planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Specialisations

Child Protection
Focuses on child welfare, protection services, and working with vulnerable children.
Community Development
Specialises in community mobilisation, development projects, and social action.
Counselling and Mental Health
Covers counselling practice and support for mental health services.
Social Policy and Advocacy
Focuses on social policy analysis, advocacy, and programme design.

A day as a student

A typical day includes morning theory on social work methods or policy, followed by afternoon field practice where trainees conduct case assessments, facilitate group sessions, and implement community interventions under supervision at social work agencies.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for social workers in Kenya's expanding social protection sector.
Opportunities to work with international NGOs and UN agencies.
Clear progression to Bachelor of Social Work and related degrees.

Against it

Working with vulnerable populations can be emotionally demanding.
Some positions are contract-based depending on project funding.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public56k to 67k

56k at University of Nairobi67k at Public TVET Colleges (standardised rate)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN ~56K, TVET 67K/yr pub (uonbi.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB TVET loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
KUCCPS Government Capitation
County Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions
County Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Passed Certificate in Social Work or equivalent.

English
D

How you are assessed

3 components

KNEC Module I Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module I theory examination covering social work foundations.
KNEC Module II Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module II theory examination covering advanced social work practice.
Field Practice Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of field practice competencies in social work agencies.

Accreditation

Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA. Social work practice in Kenya is overseen by the Department of Children's Services and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

Accredited by

Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
KNEC examines and certifies the Diploma in Social Work.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredits institutions offering social work programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Social Worker
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Provides professional social work services in government departments, NGOs, and community organisations.
Case Manager
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Manages individual cases including assessment, intervention planning, and follow-up for vulnerable clients.
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 65,000
Facilitates community development programmes and mobilises communities for social action.
Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Manages social work projects for NGOs including planning, implementation, and reporting.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as social workers and case managers in government departments, NGOs, and community-based organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Department of Children's Services

Common misconceptions

Social work is just charity work.
Social work is a professional discipline requiring training in case management, counselling, policy, and community development.
Social workers are volunteers.
Diploma-level social workers are formally employed by government departments, NGOs, and international organisations.
There is no career progression in social work.
Graduates can progress to Bachelor of Social Work and advanced qualifications.
Social work is only about helping poor people.
Social work addresses diverse issues including child protection, mental health, substance abuse, and community development.