Many young people in South Africa are involved in crime, especially violent crime. This statement is supported by statistics obtained from the Annual Report (2013:37) of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services which indicates that 26 282 young people were serving sentences in South African Correctional Centres at the end of the 2012/13 financial year. This annual report of the Department of Correctional Services (2013:13) indicates that at the time of the report, 11 000 offenders were sentenced to life imprisonment and a third of them were youth offenders. The majority of these young people have to be transferred from juvenile facilities to adult centres to continue their incarceration when they turn twenty one. This transition holds a number of challenges, both for these young people and the Department of Correctional Services. Young people are confronted with the reality of possibly falling victim to HIV/AIDS, gangs, sodomy and rape in overcrowded, adult correctional facilities. The Department of Correctional Services encounters problems in assisting these young people to adjust to this transition and the protection of these young people from assault and abuse by older inmates remains an institutional concern. The main aims of this research are to examine: the age at which juveniles are transferred to adult correctional centre to continue with their sentences; the factors taken into account before transfer; the challenges faced by youth offenders in adult correctional centre; and the needs of youth offenders in adult correctional facility. The study addresses the following questions: • At what age are youth offenders transferred to adult correctional centre? • What other factors besides age are considered before youth are transferred to adult correctional centre? • Are there any preparatory measures in place to assist youth with the transfer? • Are there any induction programmes available to assist youth adjusting in adult correctional facility? • What are the challenges faced by youth in adult facility? • What are the needs of youth offenders in adult facility? / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

Annexure E: Criminal Capacity Check List (pages 61-62) is in English. The Afrikaans or Xhosa version of this document is also available on request / The aim of this explorative and descriptive study was to establish if criminologists could assist in the criminal capacity assessment of children in conflict with the law. A qualitative approach was utilised in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of the current criminal capacity assessment process and the role players involved in the process. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview schedule. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with child justice practitioners. Purposive sampling was employed and data were analysed according to the methods of Rabiee as well as Morse and Field. The findings of this study indicate that the current one-dimensional medico-legal assessment approach is not in the best interest of the child. A shortage of human resources, ineffective assessment tools, inadequate training of role players, and operational problems in the criminal capacity assessment process, are all factors that hamper a successful child-centred approach. A multi-disciplinary approach was found to be the most suitable approach to assess children in conflict with the law. It was concluded that professionals from disciplines such as social work, criminology, probation work, psychology and psychiatry should form part of the multi-disciplinary criminal capacity assessment team. The important role that criminologists can play as part of this team was acknowledged in this study. It was furthermore established that the role and function of criminologists, as well as the study field of criminology, are still unfamiliar to various practitioners in the human sciences professions. Criminologists are also still regarded as crime researchers with limited practical applications in areas of the Criminal Justice System. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS) / This study sought to investigate factors that influence adherence to treatment amongst rural people living with HIV and accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Shongwe hospital in Mpumalanga. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. From patients’ case files, a sample of twenty-eight respondents was recruited for the completion of questionnaires. A focus group discussion with nine participants was held, followed by qualitative interviews with three key informants. Findings indicated that a complex web of factors unique to each patient’s social context plays a role in determining whether or not patients adhere to their regimens. Obstacles to adherence are poor social support, problems relating to disclosure, unemployment and economic hardship, traditional and religious beliefs, the quality and nature of adherence counselling and treatment side effects. / Sociology

Evidence suggests that caring for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa. Statistics indicate that there are 1.91 million AIDS orphans in the country (UNICEF, 2012; Statistics South Africa, 2009:8)). The majority of these orphans live in rural and poor urban households. Caring for orphans and vulnerable children places severe strain on support systems, such as the extended family; this spills over into the community. Providing care and support also places an extra burden on the already overstretched welfare sector and drains state resources. The primarily objective of this study was to explore community resilience strategies on challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng. A purposive sample of 32 participants was selected and field data were collected over a period of two months using a structured research guide. A combination of data collection methods was employed in order to explore different perspectives of community resilience strategies on challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Benoni. Emerging data illustrate a clear account on the impact of the AIDS epidemic in Benoni. All of the respondents were directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic. This should be located within the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the high number of orphans in Ekurhuleni. The study findings further suggest a correlation between socioeconomic challenges and the AIDS epidemic in Ekurhuleni. This is demonstrated through the challenges experienced by orphans and vulnerable children in Benoni, which include: non-disclosure by parents of their illness; economic deprivation and disrupted schooling; children caring for an ill parent with AIDS and child-headed households; emotional, sexual and economic exploitation, stigmatisation and discrimination. Despite these challenges, through community resilience the Benoni community has taken some initiatives to mitigate against these challenges. This includes the establishment of a community based organisation which provides basic services to orphans and vulnerable children in Benoni. To date this organisation has successfully provided material and psychosocial to more than 278 orphans. The success of this initiative confirms the importance of community driven interventions using the resilience framework to supports orphans and vulnerable, rather than dependency on the government imposed programmes- top down approach. However, community based programmes need to be strengthened by the government and non-governmental organisations in order to maximise benefits. / Psychology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the implementation of, as well as identifying problem areas associated with the YES-programme offered by NICRO. This specific programme was chosen because most of the young offenders referred to NICRO complete this programme. Young offenders are referred to the programme by the magistrates' court. These are youth that have been arrested for petty crimes such as shoplifting, damage to property and possession of drugs. This programme is also aimed at first time offenders but it became evident throughout the study that these youths might have been arrested once but seems to have been involved in crime at some level prior to being arrested. Youth between the ages of thirteen and eighteen years are accepted into the programme, with exceptions sometimes made for nineteen year olds who are still attending school. Participation in the programme is strictly voluntary, but there must be an admission of guilt on the part of the youth before he/she will be considered for this kind of diversionary alternative. The programme attempts to involve both parent and child in the process of learning and therefore parents are required to attend the first and last sessions with their children. Sessions attended by parents. focus on the improving relationships and communication between parent and child. The programme is viewed as an alternative sanction, and will enable youth to be punished for their crimes whilst at the same time learning new skills, and most importantly, not gaining a criminal record. The programme stretches over eight weeks with weekly sessions that focus on self-concept, decision-making, children's rights and respecting both themselves and those around them. The researcher formed part of the process through both facilitating sessions as well as observing sessions. For these reasons the research methodology focussed primarily on participant observation and interviews. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie fokus op die proses van implementering en die identifisering van probleemareas binne die YES-program wat deur NICRO aangebied word. Die YES-program was spesifiek gekies omdat meeste van die jeugdiges wat na NICRO verwys word hierdie program voltooi. Jeugdiges word deur die hof verwys na die program wat dien as 'n afwentelingsprogram. Hierdie jeugdiges word meestal gearresteer vir geringe misdade soos winkeldiefstal, beskadiging van eiendom, en die besit van dwelms. Die jeugdiges word ook aanbeveel vir die program omdat dit hulle eerste arrestasie is, maar tydens die studie word dit duidelik dat alhoewel dit die eerste keer is dat die jeugdiges gearresteer word, dit nie hul eerste oortreding is me. Die program word beskou as 'n alternatiewe sanksie, en dit poog om die jeugdige te straf vir sy/haar daad maar ook terselfdetyd nuwe vaardighede aan te leer, en meer belangrik te voorkom dat die jeugdige 'n kriminele rekord kry. Die program strek oor agt weeklike sessies wat fokus op self-konsep, besluitneming, kinderregte en respek. Jeugdiges tussen die ouderdom van dertien en agtienjaar word verwys na die program, maar uitsonderings word ook soms gemaak vir jeugdiges van neëntienjarige ouderdom mits hulle nog skool bywoon. Die program poog om beide ouer en kind te betrek in die proses, en dus word ouers verplig om die eerste en laaste sessies saam met die jeugdiges by te woon. Die sessies wat deur die ouers bygewoon word fokus veralop die verbetering van verhoudings en kommunikasie tussen ouer en kind. Deelname aan die program is vrywillig maar die jeugdige moet skuldig pleit voordat hy/sy inaggeneem kan word vir die afwentelingsprogram. Die navorser het deel van die proses uitgemaak deur beide programme waar te neem sowel as programme te fasiliteer. Die navorsingsmetode wat dus benut was, was deelnemende waarneming sowel as onderhoudvoering.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates casework intervention for abused women in Moses Kotane Local Municipality. The purpose of this research is to present a theoretical and practical framework from a casework perspective for dealing with abused women. The motivation for the study was based on the need of social workers to have a framework when applying casework during intervention with abused women. The framework will offer guidance and will ensure that the service rendered to abused women is of a good quality. The objectives of this study is to investigate the nature and extent of the abuse of women in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, to explain the causes and consequences of abuse, and to describe casework intervention strategies to address abuse of women. The research covers the nature and prevalence of abuse of women as well as the causes of abuse. The consequences of abuse of women are also outlined in the research report. A practice perspective, a theory and a model which can be applied during intervention with abused women, is also included in the report. A practical framework is also included with the help of literature reviewed. The empirical research involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. This section presents findings in the form of tables and figures and gives an analysis of the findings. The findings were analyzed and compared with the findings from previous studies undertaken by various authors. The findings can be used as a guideline by social workers when applying casework during intervention with abused women. Recommendations are also included in the report. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met hierdie navorsing is ondersoek ingestel na gevallewerk-intervensie met mishandelde vroue in die Moses Kotane Plaaslike Munisipaliteit. Die doel van die navorsing was om 'n teoretiese en praktiese raamwerk vanuit 'n gevallewerk-perspektief vir intervensie met mishandelde vroue aan te bied. Die motivering vir die studie was gebaseer op maatskaplike werkers se behoefte aan 'n raamwerk wanneer gevallewerk gedurende intervensie met mishandelde vroue toegepas word. Met dié raamwerk word beoog om riglyne aan te bied wat sal verseker dat die dienste wat aan die mishandelde vroue gelewer word van 'n goeie kwaliteit is. Die doelwitte van die studie is om die aard en omvang van die mishandeling van vroue in die Moses Kotane Plaaslike Munisipaliteit te ondersoek, om die oorsake en gevolge van mishandeling te verduidelik, en om gevallewerk-intervensie strategieë om mishandeling van vroue te hanteer te beskryf. Die navorsing handel oor die aard en voorkoms van die mishandeling van vroue, asook die oorsake van mishandeling. Die gevolge van mishandeling van vroue word ook in die navorsingsverslag aangebied. 'n Praktykperspektief, 'n teorie en 'n model wat gebruik kan word vir intervensie met mishandelde vroue word in die verslag aangebied. 'n Praktiese raamwerk wat gebaseer is op die literatuur wat bestudeer is word aangebied. Die empiriese navorsing het behels dat beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes benut is. In hierdie afdeling word bevindinge in die vorm van tabelle en figure aangebied en 'n ontleding van die bevindinge word gemaak. Die bevindinge van die studie is ontleed en vergelyk met die bevindinge van vorige studies wat deur verskeie outeurs onderneem is. Die bevindinge kan deur maatskaplike werkers benut word as riglyne wanneer gevallewerk met mishandelde vroue gedoen word. Aanbevelings word ook in die verslag ingesluit.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through the establishment of victim support centres, NICRO Eastern Cape aims to develop community networks that render available and appropriate support services to victims of crime. Social workers empower volunteers to run the centres. In order for the social workers to empower volunteers, they need to clearly understand their role in the empowerment process. The goal of the study is to clarify the role of social workers when empowering volunteers at community victim support centres. The profile, motivation and current empowerment of volunteers at NICRO Eastern Cape were determined and described by means of questionnaires. The respondents were fifteen volunteers and three social workers. Conclusions and recommendations were made which focused, among other aspects, on the training of social workers and strategic planning around empowerment. The framework of this research report can be utilized by social workers in the empowering of volunteers, which could possibly lead to victim support centres that are managed by volunteers, as representatives of communities, independently from NICRO. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: By die slagofferondersteuningsentrums te NICRO Oos-Kaap word daar gepoog om 'n gemeenskapsnetwerk te ontwikkel waardeur slagoffers van misdaad beskikbare en toepaslike ondersteuning ontvang. Dit word gedoen deur die bemagtiging van vrywilligers deur maatskaplike werkers. Ten einde die vrywilligers te bemagtig, is dit belangrik dat maatskaplike werkers hul rol in die proses van bemagtiging begryp. Die doel van die studie is om die rol van die maatskaplike werker uit te klaar met die bemagtiging van vrywilligers by 'n gemeenskapslagofferondersteuningsentrum. Die profiel, motivering en huidige bemagtiging van vrywilligers by NICRO Oos-Kaap is deur middel van vraelyste bepaal en ontleed. Die respondente het uit vyftien vrywilligers en drie maatskaplike werkers bestaan. Gevolgtrekkings is gemaak en aanbevelings gedoen wat onder andere fokus op die opleiding aan maatskaplike werkers en strategiese beplanning rondom bemagtiging. Die raamwerk van hierdie navorsingsverslag sal deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word in die bemagtiging van vrywilligers en dit kan moontlik aanleiding gee tot slagofferondersteuningsentrums wat onafhanklik van NICRO deur vrywilligers, as verteenwoordigers van gemeenskappe, bestuur word.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Social workers are increasingly being encouraged to include the economic development of their clients in the intervention strategies they apply. As a result of this, social work programmes with income generating activities are becoming commonplace within the social work arena. People with disabilities have been identified as a group that should be targeted for support in income generating activities and small business initiatives. An exploratory study of the effect of a social work programme on the lives of people with disabilities was undertaken. A literature study was conducted on perspectives and intervention strategies that are applied in social work intervention with people with disabilities. This included the ecological and strengths perspectives of social work as it applies to people with disabilities. The empowerment approach was described as an intervention strategy to be applied by social workers working with people with disabilities. Disability in South Africa was explored by focussing on the disability rights movement as well as the policies and institutions that affect the lives of people with disabilities. Little research has been done to explore the effect of social work programmes with income generating activities on the lives of the people involved in them. Exploratory research was done in the Western Cape using the interview survey for data collection,. The experiences of people with disabilities, who are members of a social work income-generating programme, were explored. Information obtained during the interviews is presented in four categories, namely: demographic information of the respondents, the nature of the respondents' disabilities, respondents' involvement in the programme and their awareness of their rights as people with disabilities. The study revealed that although, income generating activities were the focus of the programme, respondents did not identify economic rewards as the main reason for remaining in the programme. Respondents identified emotional and social rewards as being of most value to them in their membership of the programme. It is therefore concludedthat social work programmes should include both income-generating activities as well as activities that will enhance the emotional and social development of people with disabilities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Maatskaplike werkers word al hoe meer aangemoedig om die ekonomiese opheffing van hul kliënte in te sluit by die intervensie strategieë wat hul implementeer. Gevolglik word strategieë met inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite al hoe meer alledaags in die maatskaplike werk arena. Mense met gestremdhede is as 'n groep geïdentifiseer om ondersteuning in inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite en kleinsake inisiatiewe te ontvang. 'n Verkennende studie is onderneem om die effek van 'n maatskaplike werkprogram op die lewens van mense met gestremdhede te ondersoek. 'n Literatuurstudie is ook onderneem om die maatskaplike werk perspektiewe en intervensie strategieë wat van toepassing is op mense met gestremdhede, te beskryf. Dit het die maatskaplike werk ekologiese en sterkte perspektiewe ingesluit en ook hoe dit van toepassing is op mense met gestremdhede. Die bemagtigings benadering in maatskapike werk en die toepassing daarvan op mense met gestremdhede word ook beskryf. Gestremdheid in Suid-Afrika is verken deur te fokus op die gestremdheids regtebeweging, sowel as die beleid en instansies wat 'n effek het op die lewens van mense met gestremdhede. Min navorsing is tot dusver gedoen om die effek van maatskaplike werkprogramme met inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite op die lewens van mense met gestremdhede te verken. Verkennende navorsing is in die Wes-Kaap gedoen met behulp van onderhoude as 'n instrument vir data insameling. Die ervaringe van mense met gestremdhede, wie lede van 'n maatskaplike werk inkomstegenererende program is, is verken. Inligting wat ingewin is gedurende onderhoude word in vier kategorië aangebied, naamlik: demografiese inligting van respondente, die aard van respondente se gestremdhede, respondente se betrokkenheid by die program sowel as hulle bewustheid van hulle regte as gestremdes. In die studie is bevind dat alhoewel inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite die fokus van die program was, het respondente nie noodwendig die ekonomiese beloning as die hoof rede om in die program aan te bly, geïdentifiseer nie. Respondente het die emosionele en sosiale beloning geïdentifiseer as die aspek wat die meeste waarde vir hulle ingehou het. Die gevolgtrekking is dus dat maatskaplike werk programme beide inkomste-genererende aktiwiteite, sowel as aktiwiteite wat die emosionele en sosiale ontwikkeling van gestremdes aanmoedig, moet insluit.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the advent of democracy in South Africa, the government has prioritized youth development in the country. The strides made by government include setting up institutional arrangements, developing policies and implementing programmes targeting young people in the country. However, despite the efforts made to develop young people, the youth transition to adulthood is still extremely difficult, more especially for unemployed black females who reside in rural areas. Youth unemployment is the biggest problem affecting the youth in South Africa and globally, and the majority of the unemployed youth have been categorised as ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ (NEET). Being unemployed and also not being in education or training to prepare for future employment, limits future employability of the NEETs. The Department of Social Development and Special Programmes in the Eastern Cape Province implemented the Masupa-Tsela Youth Pioneers Programme (MYPP) to intervene in the high rate of youth unemployment in the Province. The programme in the Province was never evaluated and as a result there is no evidence of the success or failure of this youth programme. This study evaluates the implementation of the MYPP with a particular focus in Mhlontlo Local Municipality within O.R. Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. Mhlontlo Local Municipality is a rural municipality characterized by high youth unemployment, high youth poverty, low levels of education among youth and low literacy levels among adults. The purpose of the study was to explore and discover whether the intended outcomes of the MYPP were achieved and what the specific challenges of the youth were. Evaluation research is used in this study to explore the MYPP. Evaluation research assesses the conceptualization, implementation, and impact of development programmes and projects. The data collected during this study through focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, and document review, revealed that the programme mostly achieved its intended outcomes, although there are areas that need to be improved in the future implementation of the programme. However, the goals and outcomes of the MYPP were not adequate to address the size of the challenge. On the basis of the findings of this study the researcher recommends that youth development programmes should be implemented in the context of sustainable development and young people must be placed at the centre of that development as agents of change in their communities. The researcher also recommends outcomes based planning in the Department, up-scaling of the programme, regular evaluation of the design, implementation and results of a youth programme as well as improved participation of the youth in the programmes designed to improve their lives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die regering het sedert die koms van demokrasie in Suid-Afrika jeugontwikkeling in die land geprioritiseer. Die vooruitgang wat gemaak is, sluit in die opstel van institusionele reëlings , die ontwikkeling van beleid en die implementering van programme wat gerig is tot jong mense in die land. Maar ten spyte van die pogings om jong mense te ontwikkel, vind die jeug die oorgang na volwassenheid nog steeds baie moeilik, veral vir werklose swart vroue wat in landelike gebiede woon . Werkloosheid onder jeug is die grootste probleem wat die jeug in Suid -Afrika en in die wêreld ondervind, en die meerderheid van die werklose jeug word gekategoriseer as "Nie in onderwys, beroep of opleiding nie' (NOBOe). Om werkloos te wees en ook nie in onderwys of opleiding om voor te berei vir toekomstige indiensneming nie, beperk toekomstige indiensneembaarheid van die NOBOe . Die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling en Spesiale Programme in die Oos-Kaap het die Masupa Tsela - Jeug Pioneers Programme (MJPP) geïmplementeer om in te gryp in die hoë werkloosheidskoers onder die jeug in die Provinsie. Die programme in die provinsie is nooit geëvalueer en as gevolg is daar geen bewyse van die sukses of mislukking van hierdie jeug programme nie. Hierdie studie evalueer die implementering van die MJPP met 'n spesifieke fokus op Mhlontlo Plaaslike Munisipaliteit in die Tambo -distriksmunisipaliteit in die Oos-Kaap. Mhlontlo Plaaslike Munisipaliteit is 'n landelike munisipaliteit wat gekenmerk word deur hoë werkloosheid onder die jeug, hoë jeug armoede, lae vlakke van onderwys onder die jeug en lae vlakke van geletterdheid onder volwassenes . Die doel van die studie was om te ondersoek en vas te stel of die beoogde uitkomste van die MYPP bereik is en wat die spesifieke uitdagings van die jeug was. Evaluering navorsing is in hierdie studie gebruik om die MJPP te verken. Evalueringsnavorsing evalueer die konseptualisering, implementering en die impak van die ontwikkeling van programme en projekte . Die data wat ingesamel is tydens hierdie studie deur middel van fokusgroepe, onderhoude, vraelyste , en dokument hersiening, het aan die lig gebring dat die programme meestal sy doel bereik het, maar daar is gebiede van die implementering van die programme wat in die toekoms verbeter sal moet word. Maar die doelwitte en uitkomste van die MYPP was nie voldoende om die grootte van die uitdaging aan te spreek nie. Op grond van die bevindinge van hierdie studie beveel die navorser uitkomsgebaseerse beplanning in die Departement voor, vergroting van die programme , gereëlde evaluering van die ontwerp, implementering en resultate van 'n jeug programme sowel as die verbeterde deelname van die jeug in die programme wat ontwerp word om hul lewens te verbeter.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gedoen om die opvoedkundige ondersteuning wat leerders in spesiale jeugsorgsentrums in die Wes-Kaap ontvang te ondersoek, deur gebruik te maak van ’n kwalitatiewenavorsingsontwerp en binne ’n interpretatiewe paradigma te werk. Hierdie studie het ook die belewenisse van manlike jeugoortreders ten opsigte van hul opvoedkundige ervaring binne die rehabilitasiekonteks ondersoek. Die populasie vir die studie was oortreders in ’n spesiale jeugsorgsentrum – ’n onderwysinrigting waartoe jeugdiges deur die hof gevonnis word indien hulle herhaaldelik by misdaad betrokke is. Die navorsing het uitgelig dat die jeugoortreders in die studiepopulasie ’n lang geskiedenis van aanhouding het; dat hulle voorheen in ’n inrigting van die Departement van Maatskaplike Ontwikkeling, ’n gevangenis van die Departement Korrektiewe Dienste en ’n spesiale jeugsentrum van die Departement van Onderwys aangehou is. Die betekenisvolheid hiervan is dat dit toon hoe gefragmenteer dienste aan jeugdige oortreders gelewer word. Daar was baie onderbrekings in die deelnemers se opvoedkundige pad, asook verwydering van die gesins- en gemeenskapslewe. Verder wil dit voorkom of geen departement aanspreeklikheid aanvaar het vir die rehabilitasie van die jeugdiges nie, aangesien hulle heen en weer tussen die inrigtings van die verskillende departemente geskuif is. Daar moet beter samewerking en skakeling wees tussen alle departemente wat betrokke is by jeugoortreders en die implimentering van programme moet effektief gemonitor en gereeld geëvalueer word. Programme moet gereeld hersien en konstant aangepas word om sodoende die lewensvatbaarheid van die programme en inrigtings te bepaal. Jeugdiges in jeugsentrums is nie ’n homogene groep nie en kom uit verskillende agtergronde met diverse opvoedingsbehoeftes waarin voorsien moet word. Die jeugdiges het ook hul opvoedkundige behoeftes verwoord en dit het beroepsvaardighede, sosiale en morele ontwikkeling ingesluit. Verder is die redes ondersoek waarom die jeugdiges aanhoudend betrokke bly by misdaad. Hulle het aangevoer dat dit as gevolg van portuurdruk, dwelms en armoede is. Die jeugdiges het ook voorstelle van alternatiewe programme en ondersteuning gemaak. Volgens hulle moet dit insluiting in die gemeenskap, positiewe vryetydsbesteding, erkenning deur ander en weerbaarheid behels. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was done to investigate the educational support that learners receive at a special youth centre in the Western Cape, by making use of a qualitative research design and working within an interpretive paradigm. This study also investigated the experiences of male youth offenders with regard to education within the rehabilitation context. The study population were young offenders in a special youth centre, which is an educational institution where young offenders are being sentenced to after being repeatedly involved in crime. The research revealed that the youth offenders of the study population have a long history of detention; that they were held in an institution of the Department of Social Development, the prison of the Department of Correctional Services and special youth centres of the Department of Education. This finding is significant because it shows the fragmentation of services that are delivered to youth offenders. There was a lot of interruption along the participants’ educational pathway, as well as removal from family and community life. Furthermore, it would appear that no department accepted responsibility for the rehabilitation of the youths, because they were moved back and forth between the institutions of the different departments. There should be better collaboration and liaising between departments that are involved with young offenders and the implementation of programmes should be monitored effectively and evaluated regularly. Programmes should also be reviewed regularly and constantly adjusted to establish whether is the programmes and institutions are sustainable. The youth in youth centres are not a homogenous group and come from different backgrounds with diverse educational needs that should be met. The youths also voiced their educational needs, which included workplace skills, social and moral development. Furthermore, the reasons why the youths continue to be involved in crime were investigated. They said that it was because of peer pressure, drugs and poverty. The youths also made suggestions of alternative programmes and support. According to them it should entail inclusion in the community, positive free-time spending, recognition by others and resilience.