Thesis (PhD. (Clinical & Applied Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / This study aims at developing an optimal psychological assessment procedure for determining primary residence allocation for children whose parents are divorcing. The research consisted of two studies: the first study focused on “translating” 13 identified legal constructs formulated by Justice King for safeguarding the best interests of children and the identification of suitable psychometric instruments that can be used to determine how effectively a particular family is functioning. These 13 legal constructs were converted into psychological constructs by three independent clinical psychologists. Following this a psychological assessment procedure for children and parents within a divorce context was developed incorporating the newly developed psychological constructs. The 2nd phase consisted of a sample of 39 families (26 families in the experimental group and 13 families in the control group). Six months later after primary placement the families were followed up in order to determine the psychological “health” of the families concerned using the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSE); Index of Family Relations (IFR); Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory (ECBI) and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). The means obtained from both the experimental and control groups were compared using the MANOVA analysis. The results from the RSE concluded that the self-esteem of children in the experimental group, improved significantly to those in the control group. The IFR indicated that families in the experimental group had improved significantly at resolving family problems. According to the ECBI the children in the experimental group with behavioural problems improved significantly after primary placement. In all children in the control group did not improve significantly. The Family Assessment Device therefore indicated significant family cohesion. In summary the results indicate that the families in the experimental group were functioning at a higher level in comparison to the control group six months after primary placement.

During the researcher's work with looked after children for the past four years, it became clear that adolescent placements were much more likely to break down than others. Although there is some literature about foster placement breakdowns, the researcher did not really get an answer as to the causes of adolescent placement breakdowns. This study therefore explores causal factors of adolescent placement breakdowns as seen by foster carers, adolescents and professionals. It is evident from this study that there are no easy answers. Although the adolescent, as much as any other child, craves to belong, to be listened to and be respected, it seems that it is not always possible for foster carers to put this into practice, given the challenging behaviour that adolescents often display. Recommendations are based on relevant literature and the empirical study, in the hope that it might be useful to those with an interest in this field. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

The researcher wanted to explore the experiences of children who removal by a social worker either to an institution or to foster homes. The researcher wanted to find out if the behaviour of absconding could be explained by using systems theory, contructivism, cybernetics and person- centered theory. The researcher hypothesized that children abscond from alternative care as a means of communicating with the social worker involved as well as any other person significant in their lives. The study wanted to explore how these children perceived their involvement in the decision making process of their removal. The researcher only interviewed children who had absconded from the alternative care placements. The study found that all the children interviewed perceived that they were not involved in any way in the process of removal. They all saw their removal as a form of punishment for something they did wrong, but they did not get an opportunity to discuss with their parents or significant others. They also perceived their absconding as an effort to rectify the situation. A lot of anger and suspicion towards social workers was encountered during the study. In terms of the theories mentioned above, these perceptions are the children’s own reality, which might differ from the realities as created or perceived by social workers. It is hypothesized that social workers who use the Child Care Act 74/83 and its regulations in the removal of children, do it to protect the children from risky situations as their job responsibility requires. This study indicates that the children did not experience removal as protection. Instead of children feeling protected in the alternative care, they felt blamed, judged and unhappy about their removal and excluded from the process. The researcher made a few suggestions that could be considered when social workers removing children to alternative care. It is recommended that social workers involve the children and their parents or significant others in the entire process of deciding the future of any children in their (parents’) care. However, if removal is deemed necessary, just telling or informing children that they will be removed for their own safety is not enough. Children might not perceive the situation as dangerous. Instead, they might see the social worker as posing a danger to them and their families and thus try to shut the social worker and what s/he says out of their minds. Findings safe ways to involve children and families in the decisions about their future may require of social workers to revive their academically acquired knowledge in this respect. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Sciences (Mental Health))

Social Work / D.Phil. (Social Work)

A description of the developmental characteristics of adolescents and the effect of deafness, on the cognitive emotional and social development of the Deaf adolescent boy is given. At a stage, when the parents influence is crucial in any child's upbringing, the Deaf child, mainly because of his/her need for special educational services is placed in a school hostel at an early age. The aim of the investigation was two-fold: • Firstly, from thl! literature study, to analyze and describe the educational distress of the Deaf adolescent boy residing in the school hostel. Secondly, to conduct an empirical survey consisting of structured questionnaires in order to ascertain the kind of support rendered to the Deaf adolescent boy in the hostel. From the literature study and the empirical survey a training/educational programme was designed to promote the educational skills of hostel parents at schools for Deaf adolescent boys. / Inclusive Education / M.Ed.(Orthopedagogics)

Text in Afrikaans / In die studie word die ontwikkelingspad van 'n Newtoniaanse benadering na 'n ekosistemiese benadering in die denke van die navorser en lewering van pleegsorgdienste deur die maatskaplike werker/navorser, beskryf. In die beskrywing is gefokus op drie beginsels elk van die Newtoniaanse - en die ekosistemiese benaderings. Die gekose beginsels is met 'n gevallestudie geillustreer. Aan die ha d van die beginsels van die ekosistemiese benadering word 'n konsepsuele raamwerk gebied waardeur die outonomie van mense en sisteme in stand gehou en gebruik kan word. Volgens tweede orde kubernetika, is die studie die konstruksie van die navorser. Pleegsorg is 'n komplekse alternatiewe versorgingsposisie vir 'n kind en die lewering van begeleidingsdienste stel besondere eise aan die professionele persone betrokke. Hierdie studie suggereer dat pleegsorgdienste wat aan die hand van die ekosistemiese benadering gelewer word, 'n konstruksie van gedeelde verantwoordelikheid tussen al die betrokke partye voorstel. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Science: Mental Health)

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Magister Technologiae: Consumer Science Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the care and support of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and children in particular are affected by HIV and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Africa in various ways. The epidemic puts children at risk physically, psychologically and economically. Children are indirectly affected by HIV and AIDS when the epidemic has a negative impact on their communities and the services these communities provide. Undernutrition is a major problem in HIV-positive children in South Africa with severe malnutrition as a common finding in HIV-positive children. HIV contributes to an increased incidence and severity of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency. Low serum levels of vitamins A, E, B6, B12 and C, betacarotene, selenium, zinc, copper and iron deficiencies are frequently documented during all stages of HIV-infection. Malnutrition in turn further weakens the immune system which increases the susceptibility to infections and the duration and the severity of infections. Thus, the immune response is less effective and less vigorous when an individual is undernourished. Although guidelines exist for the treatment and management of HIV-infected children, it is clear from the literature that exceptional measures are needed to ensure the health and well-being of the children are met. Furthermore, residential care should not only be considered as a last resort for children’s care, but also as an intervention that requires more than merely addressing children’s basic physical needs. Nutrition education has been utilised globally and in South Africa to address nutrition related problems. The main purpose of nutrition education is to provide individuals with adequate and accurate information, skills and motivation to buy, produce and consume the correct foods to stay healthy and lead an active life. Aim The purpose of this study was to develop reliable and valid nutrition education material for the child care workers (CCWs) of Immune Compromised children vi resident in Children’s Homes in the Durban area in order to maintain the child’s immune system and to optimise their quality of life. Methodology The FAO framework used for planning, implementing and evaluating a nutrition education programme was followed to develop the nutrition education material in this study. Phase I included a situational analysis of the children homes involved. The residential care settings that participated in this study included three Children’s Homes in Durban. The total purposive sample included: boys (5–19 years) n = 112, girls (5–19 years) n = 38 and CCWs n = 40. The sample of HIV-positive children included boys (5–19 years) n = 3 and girls (5– 19 years) n = 6. The physical measurements obtained for this study to determine nutritional status were weight and height. The anthropometric measurements were captured and analysed by the researcher using the World Health Organisation’s AnthroPlus version 1.0.2. Statistical software. The following indices were included: height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-age (underweight) and BMI-for-age (overweight and wasting). The WHO growth standards for school-aged children and adolescents were used to compare the anthropometric indicators. Dietary intake measurements were done by analysing the cycle menus by means of the Food Finder® Version 3 computer software program and comparing the results with the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), specifically the EAR and AI where the EAR were not available. The data were analysed to determine the adequacy of energy and nutrient intake. Average portion sizes were established by the plate waste studies method as well as observation of practices, interviews with the central buyer and focus group discussions with the CCWs. Nutrition knowledge of the CCWs was determined by a self-administered questionnaire developed and tested for reliability and validity. The problems identified in Phase I through the implementation of the questionnaires and other methods directed the design of messages in Phase II. Once suitable media was selected, nutrition education material was developed based on existing guidelines pertaining to HIV and AIDS. The material developed was then tested for reliability and validity before it was produced. vii Results The anthropometric measurements indicated that the majority of the HIV-negative boys and girls were of normal height-for-age and weight-for-age. The results also showed that possible risk of overweight and overweight were more prevalent in girls whereas underweight was more prevalent in boys. Furthermore, the results indicated that a third (33.0%) of the HIV-positive children were stunted and 16.7% was severely stunted. Findings of the menu analysis indicated that both girls and boys consumed three times more carbohydrates than the recommended intake. The DRIs for girls and boys were met for energy and protein in all the age groups except boys aged 14-18 years did not meet the DRI for energy. However, the comparison of the actual intake of the macro nutrients with the WHO guidelines indicated that the protein (10.78%) and carbohydrate (58.07%) is within the recommendations of 10- 15% and 55–75% respectively. This comparison also showed that the total fat intake of 31.15% was above the recommended intake of 15-30%. None of the age groups met the DRIs for fibre. The comparison of the intake with the WHO guidelines also indicated that the total dietary fibre intake was only 19.67g/day and not 27–40g/day. The actual fruit and vegetable intake was a mere 68.64g/day instead of 400g/day as recommended. None of the groups met the DRIs for calcium and iodine. The results clearly showed that micro nutrient inadequacies were more prevalent in the dietary intake of age groups 9-13 and 14-18 years in both girls and boys. Inadequate intake of magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenate, biotin, vitamin E and vitamin K were evident in the age group 14-18 year. Overall, it is evident from the results on nutrition knowledge that although the respondents’ knowledge was fair on general nutrition guidelines, the results of the nutrition knowledge questionnaire indicated that knowledge on the importance of a variety in the diet is lacking. The CCWs displayed a very poor knowledge of the recommended number of fruit and vegetable portions per day as well as correct serving sizes of vegetable portions. A very poor knowledge also existed regarding the role of healthy eating in maintaining and supporting the immune system and a limited knowledge on correct hygiene practices was noted. The fridge magnets developed included five messages relating to nutrition and four messages relating to food safety and hygiene. viii Conclusion This study established that malnutrition is apparent in the children’s homes and that there were many gaps in the nutrition knowledge of the CCWs. These gaps included the role of good nutrition in the support and maintenance of the immune system and the importance of adequate intake of fruit and vegetables daily. The NEM developed in this study will address these gaps.

My dissertation work deals with substitute foster care. It's mainly focused on summary of changes in law in the current systém and their contribution to practice. The main goal was to map out the area of substitute foster care from the very first references of foundlings of Bohemia and Moravia. The theoretical part is divided into four chapters that include history, reason of changes from the UN to the amendment of laws and their implementation. Further I describe all forms of substitute foster care in Czech republic including financing and education of foster parents. The last chapter of theoretical part I focused on the substitute foster care system in the UK which is the model for a similar system in the Czech republic. The practical part is dedicated to qualitative research that tries by using the semi-structured interviews to find out how the mentioned changes work in praxis and how they affect the work of social workers and foster parents. The praxis shows that the amendment helps the healthy development of the child however the praxis lacks a coherent tools of social work to its proper fulfillment and functionality.

Typescript (Photocopy) Bibliography: leaves 200-206.

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture