The child protection system includes foster care. Yet some foster children are neglected, physically or emotionally abused and are used to obtain Foster Care Grants. The essence of this study is to develop a thorough and comprehensive understanding from the frame of reference of social workers on the factors that contribute to the neglect and abuse of foster children as well as their suggestions about possible interventions. The qualitative research approach was applied. The researcher utilised purposive sampling to select social workers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information and data was analysed. It is clear from the findings that the foster care system needs to be reviewed to minimise or stop neglect and abuse of foster children. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

In this study, guidelines were developed for used by social workers to provide emotional support to children in foster care. The child in foster care as well as the services rendered in respect of such a child have been discussed in a literature study. The principles of Gestalt therapy were also discussed as these were used as part of the empirical study and as basis for the guidelines for social workers. A qualitative research design was used to complete the empirical study and case studies were used. Children between six and twelve years who have been in foster care for less than two years and who needed emotional support were selected for the study by means of a purposeful test sample. The research results showed that children in foster care are in need of emotional support. To provide such emotional support to the child in foster care, guidelines have been developed for social workers which they can apply when providing services to the child. These guidelines also serve as the conclusions and recommendations of the study. / Social Work / (M. Diac. (Play Therapy))

In this study, guidelines were developed for used by social workers to provide emotional support to children in foster care. The child in foster care as well as the services rendered in respect of such a child have been discussed in a literature study. The principles of Gestalt therapy were also discussed as these were used as part of the empirical study and as basis for the guidelines for social workers. A qualitative research design was used to complete the empirical study and case studies were used. Children between six and twelve years who have been in foster care for less than two years and who needed emotional support were selected for the study by means of a purposeful test sample. The research results showed that children in foster care are in need of emotional support. To provide such emotional support to the child in foster care, guidelines have been developed for social workers which they can apply when providing services to the child. These guidelines also serve as the conclusions and recommendations of the study. / Social Work / (M. Diac. (Play Therapy))

Text in English / Orphans and vulnerable children are increasingly forming a larger portion of the South African population. The escalating number of these children in communities is caused mainly by the loss of parents to HIV/AIDS. This poses a huge challenge for the government and organisations rendering social welfare services to these orphans and vulnerable children. This qualitative study sought to explore and describe the nature of collaboration between social workers and child and youth workers in rendering services to orphans and vulnerable children in the Free State province. The non-probability sampling technique of purposive sampling guided the data collection process using in-depth one on one semi structured interviews as a data collection method. Finally the data was analysed by means of Creswell’s data analysis spiral followed by the principles of Guba for data verification. The ethical considerations adhered to throughout this study were informed consent, right to privacy, avoidance of deception, debriefing of participants, management of information. The rationale was that overlapping boundaries exist when the two professions work together in addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. The findings of the research confirmed that there are no clear guidelines on the collaboration of social workers and child and youth care workers, although personal efforts are made for a healthy working relationship. Recommendations were made in relation to the findings. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)