The adolescent in a children’s home forms part of the growing number of South African children who through the course of their lives have been exposed to physical, emotional and sexual abuse, malnutrition and neglect. This type of abuse could be the result of lack of parenting skills in the case of parents and carers fuelled by poverty and poor education. Consequently, these adolescents would be described as “in need” and would be eligible for placement in alternative care. Children’s homes fall in the category of alternative care, made available for children “in need”. In terms of the law, a young person is enforced to leave the children’s home at the age of 18. This is accompanied by feelings of fear, uncertainty and denial. These feelings could influence the young person’s adaptation in the community negatively. The emphasis is therefore placed on the role and the responsibility of the social worker to prepare the individual for successful emancipation from the children’s home. Preparing the adolescent optimally for emancipation from the children’s home and in addition to deliver support throughout, may lead to successful adaptation into the community. This particular responsibility should be available to the child throughout his/her life in the children’s home, not just prior to the emancipation process. Social workers should be made aware of different factors that could influence the successful adaptation, for example, social workers might lack knowledge and the focus should be on bridging such shortcomings. This study focused on various contributing factors that influence the success of the adolescents’ adaptation in the community. The aim of the study was to investigate the general adaptation of the adolescent after emancipation from the children’s home. In order to reach the required goal, a number of objectives were formulated. These included the formulation of a theoretical framework of knowledge about the adolescent’s general life around the time of emancipation; the role and responsibilities of the social worker in providing support and optimal preparation of the individual; and the positive and negative factors that contribute to the individual’s success. An empirical study, during which semi-structured interviews were used as a data collecting method, was undertaken to assess the adaptation of the adolescents after emancipation from the children’s home. The following main themes were identified: the current life situation of the adolescent over the age of 18 who lives outside the borders of the children’s home; his/her self-esteem and how this perception of him/herself influences the adaptation process after emancipation; how the adolescents adapt and experience the social environment; their opinion about participation in anti-social behaviour; their feelings about the optimal preparation before and after the process of emancipation and their opinion on specific areas of change to contribute to the optimal preparation of emancipation out of the children’s home. Ten participants took part in individual, semi-structured interviews. Applied research was undertaken as the researcher aimed at establishing solutions for the identified problem area, namely that social workers need more information on the contributing factors that influence the general adaptation process after emancipation. A qualitative approach was used in order to gather qualitative empirical data. To achieve the goal in this study, a phenomenological strategy was applied, as the focus was on the experience, meaning and concept of the individual as regards his/her general adaptation process after emancipation from the children’s home. The research question formulated for this study was: What are the contributing factors that influence the general adaptation process of the adolescent after emancipation from the children’s home? The research findings indicate that the adolescent generally adapts well after emancipation from the children’s home. Most individuals experience their lives as children in a children’s home as positive. This positive feedback could be attributed to the way these individuals have been treated in the children’s home. Their adaptation process depends on the value they attach to their lives in the children’s home. The following aspects was indicated to have a positive influence on the adaptation of the adolescent after leaving the children’s home: - - preparation for life outside the children’s home by social workers - - acceptance by the peer group - - support from social workers during the adolescent’s time in the children’s home and after leaving the children’s home - - facilitation of the adolescent’ s effective handling of his trauma during his stay in the children’s home. - - Spontaneous socialization outside the children’s home - - Supportive contact with family members This study revealed the experience of the adolescents after emancipation from the children’s home, which holds further research possibilities. The necessary information was acquired and could be used in further studies of adolescents in a similar situation. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to prosocial behaviour in maltreated adolescent females living in a children’s home in the Tshwane-metropole, Gauteng, South Africa. The age of the participants varied between 14 and 18 years. The study was approved by the Internal Research Panel and Faculty Board of the North-West University. Approval was also obtained from the children's home where the study was conducted. The researcher worked from a positive psychology paradigm which guided the researcher to focus on the participants' strengths and positive aspects which contributed to their display of prosocial behaviour. A literature study was conducted to provide the researcher with a clearer understanding of the meaning of the research problem. The literature study focused on the development of prosocial behaviour and adolescent development within the context of child maltreatment. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach, which enabled her to describe and understand the participants' behaviour. As methodology, the researcher utilised an intrinsic case study design and participants were selected based on purposive sampling. Data collection relied on two semi-structured interviews per participant which provided the opportunity for participants to share their thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Thematic data analysis was performed, using Creswell’s spiral of data analysis. During data analysis, regarding the factors surrounding the prosocial behaviour of maltreated adolescent females living in residential care, two main contributing themes were identified, namely: * Internal factors * External factors Internal factors illuminate the importance of (1) a moral identity that guides behaviour according to internalised moral values; (2) an internal locus of control which attests to the participants’ view of themselves as active role-players and not mere victims of circumstances, and (3) cognitive skills demonstrated in the capacity to engage in critical thinking. External factors emphasise the importance of (1) attachment figures and positive role-models that model moral values and (2) a supportive, nurturing environment. Internal and external factors do not operate in isolation, but there is rather a definite interplay between these factors, such as attachment figures in the environment (external factor) who model moral values which the child incorporates into her identity in the attainment of a moral identity (internal factor). Strategies to broaden support networks for children should receive attention within the child welfare context, as they could, among other factors, promote positive outcomes for youth in residential care. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to prosocial behaviour in maltreated adolescent females living in a children’s home in the Tshwane-metropole, Gauteng, South Africa. The age of the participants varied between 14 and 18 years. The study was approved by the Internal Research Panel and Faculty Board of the North-West University. Approval was also obtained from the children's home where the study was conducted. The researcher worked from a positive psychology paradigm which guided the researcher to focus on the participants' strengths and positive aspects which contributed to their display of prosocial behaviour. A literature study was conducted to provide the researcher with a clearer understanding of the meaning of the research problem. The literature study focused on the development of prosocial behaviour and adolescent development within the context of child maltreatment. The researcher utilised a qualitative research approach, which enabled her to describe and understand the participants' behaviour. As methodology, the researcher utilised an intrinsic case study design and participants were selected based on purposive sampling. Data collection relied on two semi-structured interviews per participant which provided the opportunity for participants to share their thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Thematic data analysis was performed, using Creswell’s spiral of data analysis. During data analysis, regarding the factors surrounding the prosocial behaviour of maltreated adolescent females living in residential care, two main contributing themes were identified, namely: * Internal factors * External factors Internal factors illuminate the importance of (1) a moral identity that guides behaviour according to internalised moral values; (2) an internal locus of control which attests to the participants’ view of themselves as active role-players and not mere victims of circumstances, and (3) cognitive skills demonstrated in the capacity to engage in critical thinking. External factors emphasise the importance of (1) attachment figures and positive role-models that model moral values and (2) a supportive, nurturing environment. Internal and external factors do not operate in isolation, but there is rather a definite interplay between these factors, such as attachment figures in the environment (external factor) who model moral values which the child incorporates into her identity in the attainment of a moral identity (internal factor). Strategies to broaden support networks for children should receive attention within the child welfare context, as they could, among other factors, promote positive outcomes for youth in residential care. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The research dealt with three girls in middle childhood years, in a children’s home, who were experiencing difficulties with self-blame. These difficulties were addressed through play therapy sessions using the ‘gestalt’ approach with the life story book as an aid. The motivation for the study originated during discussions with the social workers at the Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home. During these discussions the researcher became aware of the vast number of children in the caseloads of the social workers at Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home, who blame themselves for being removed from their parents’ custody. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the life story book could be used as an aid in play therapy sessions focussing on the self-blame of girls in middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. To achieve the goal of this study, a literature study was done regarding the middle childhood years, self-blame, the child in a children’s home and the use of the life story book in play therapy. An empirical study was conducted on the use of the life story book regarding the self-blame of three girls in the middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. Finally the researcher made conclusions and recommendations regarding the use of the life story book, after taking into consideration both the literature study and the empirical study. The investigation was based on applied research. For the purpose of this study, three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home were identified by means of purposive sampling. The girls participated in six play therapy sessions each. From this empirical research, it was clear that the life story book could be successfully used in play therapy, focussing on self-blame, with the three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home. As an outcome of this study, conclusions and recommendations were formulated. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted

All adolescents are vulnerable to get involved in risky sexual behavior but the adolescent in a children’s home is more vulnerable due to excessive pressure from the peer group, dysfunctional family involvement and the high occurrence of sexual abuse. A high number of children in children’s homes were exposed to serious trauma before being admitted to a children’s home and this influences their view of the world and the frame of reference through which problems and challenges are approached. In the children’s home sex education form part of lifeskills programmes that are presented by the social workers. Lifeskills programmes are usually presented to groups and sex education includes information on reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases. The sex education programmes presented by the children’s home and schools do not seem to change the adolescent’s attitude and behavior in terms of sexual aspects. It is necessary to take the adolescent’s needs in terms of sex education into consideration since the adolescent’s search for independence also creates a need to be able to have input in decisions that influences her life. The goal of this research project was to determine the needs of adolescent girls in a children’s home regarding sex education. To achieve this goal a thorough literature study was performed with regard to the developmental needs of adolescents and specifically the developmental needs of adolescents in a children’s home. An investigation was also done on the history of sex education in South Africa and the need for sex education today. The current programmes and sources regarding sex education in South Africa were investigated and information was obtained on the sex education of the child in the children’s home. The researcher attempted to fill the gaps in the literature regarding the needs of adolescents regarding sex education by means of an empirical study. Qualitative information collection techniques were used, namely semi-structured interviews. The empirical study took the form of one-on-one interviews with the assistance of a semi-structured interview schedule with 11 adolescent girls in a children’s home. The respondents were selected by using purposive sampling. The collective case study was utilised as the research strategy since the study focused on understanding a specific social issue (sex education) in a specific population (adolescent girls in the Abraham Kriel Maria Kloppers Children’s Home). Through this the researcher came to the conclusion that adolescent girls in a children’s home have many needs regarding sex education and these needs were identified. Recommendations were made with reference to the conclusions formed that would enable professionals to develop programmes on sex education that are based on the needs of adolescent girls in a children’s home. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / MSD (Play Therapy) / unrestricted