An Analysis on the Effectiveness of Social Work Practice in Handling Divorce Cases within Court Proceedings in Lusaka District

This study examines the effectiveness of social work practice in handling divorce cases within court proceedings in Lusaka District, Zambia. It was guided by three objectives which were: To explore the role of social work practice in divorce court proceedings, to examine the perceptions of practitioners involved in divorce court proceedings regarding the effectiveness of social work practice in handling divorce cases and to identify limitations faced by social work practitioners involved in divorce court proceedings. Employing a qualitative descriptive research design, the study engaged 30 purposively selected participants, comprising social workers and magistrates through in-depth interviews to explore their professional experiences and perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, guided by Ecological Theory and Role Theory to contextualize the interplay between individual practice and systemic structures. The findings reveal that social workers play a multifaceted role in divorce proceedings, primarily through conducting psychosocial assessments, offering expert guidance to the court, providing mediation and counselling to families, and reducing interpersonal conflict between divorcing parties. Practitioners viewed social work intervention as highly effective in safeguarding child welfare and improving the quality of judicial decisions. However, significant limitations were identified, including client non-compliance, insufficient follow-up on court recommendations, logistical constraints such as lack of transport for field visits, caseloads and gaps in social workers’ legal knowledge. Additionally, misconceptions among clients regarding the role of social workers within the legal system were found to hinder effective engagement. The study concludes that while social work practice substantially contributes to child-centered and informed adjudication in divorce cases, its effectiveness is constrained by systemic, resource-related, and professional challenges. It recommends enhanced institutional support, continuous professional development for social workers in legal matters, improved client education, and stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of court-ordered interventions. This research provides evidence-based insights that can inform policy, practice, and further scholarly inquiry into the integration of social work within judicial systems in Zambia and similar contexts.