Kinship care is increasingly supplementing the more traditional forms of out-of-home care. Because related foster care has potential great value, the possibility of placement with relatives needs to be explored first. At its best it provides the child love and security with known people and possibly in a familiar environment. Yet, important as it is, this area of practice is seriously underdeveloped - few publications especially in South Africa exist on how children fare in this arrangement. This situation exists in spite of the fact that many children find themselves in both legal as well as privately arranged related foster care placements. Equally of course no comprehensive study has been undertaken to study the black family's perception of formal foster care and their adjustment to formal foster care practice which for many is a new encounter in their lives. More clarity on these issues pertaining to kinship care will not only improve our understanding but can lead to a better service. Socio-political influences have weakened the mutual aid system in African families. This has resulted in needs· and problems which the African family find it difficult to deal with. This has prompted families to make use of non-family support particularly services from specialized and other welfare agencies. Formal foster care is a foreign practice to the black community as a result of their tradition and custom. It offers a new method of coping with child care problems and indicates a shift from the conventional patterns among South African blacks. As a result there is often confusion and a lack of understanding, making the community not to make proper use of this service. This study is exploratory-descriptive. The sample comprised thirty foster parents. The main objective of this study was to investigate the nature and practice of formal foster care in the black community with specific emphasis on related foster care and its perception. The study has raised a number of issues for practice and policy consideration. Notable findings were: the need to (1) promote much more active involvement of foster parents, foster child and their families (2) educate the community about foster care (3) prepare, train, support and supervise foster parents. The study revealed that these placements have become indistinguishable from natural parenthood and the foster children have become absorbed into the foster family. A need exists for permanency planning in foster care. It is hoped that the research findings will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and that more studies will be undertaken in future.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Life expectancy has increased rapidly since the beginning of the twentieth century and people aged 65 and older form the fastest growing segment of the population. With the onset of old age, comes social, physical and psychological challenges that result in morbidity and loss of independent life. For some of the socially and economically marginalized elderly this often means living in a long term facility. This study determined the effect of a dance and music programme on balance and function in the residents of a selected old age home in Pietermaritzburg. Aim of the study The study determined the effect of a dance and music programme on the balance and functional ability of the residents of the old age home. Methodology A pre-test/post-test experimental design was used in this study. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to two groups, the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group participated in the 12 week programme of a dance and music programme offered twice weekly while the control group received standard care. Both groups’ functional abilities and balance capabilities were assessed before and after the intervention. Results The results revealed that dance and music programme did not statistically improve balance and function. Function improved in the experimental group post-test compared to the pre-test. Positive feelings expressed during the classes indicate that the intervention had a positive effect on the participants. Conclusion The dance and music programme improved function. It is recommended that residents of the geriatric home be offered this dance and music programme as a long term activity. / M