No abstract available.

This research explored the experiences and perceptions of the performance appraisal systems in place and its value to social workers within the Department: Social Services and Poverty Alleviation: Provincial Government of the Western Cape.

D.Litt. et Phil. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Child abuse in South Africa is considered one of the foremost challenges the country is currently facing, and is believed to hold long-term consequences for adults if not adequately addressed in the childhood years. In order to meet the needs of abused children in the country, various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have targeted abused children as the primary beneficiaries for services, and these NGOs rely a great deal on the contributions from formal volunteers. While there is an expansive body of literature on formal volunteering in general, limited research explores target-specific volunteering, especially among children or abused children in particular. Furthermore, the literature on volunteering has not extensively examined the meaning-making process volunteers engage in when seeking an organisation or cause for their target-specific volunteering. The process of making meaning of volunteering is additionally influenced by a complex set of negotiations between individual and broader socio-political factors. In order to expand the current literature on volunteering, this research aimed to explore the meanings volunteers make of their target-specific volunteering in the child abuse services sector in Johannesburg, and to explore how those meanings could potentially be influenced by the dynamics of socio-political realms. This research was located within the interpretive paradigm, and data collection comprised of qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with six volunteers from the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. The interview transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA), where four primary themes emerged. The four primary themes, namely transformation, prioritisation of children, prioritisation of sexual abuse and vocation, were examined for their resonance with critical theories of governing ‘healthy’ populations. The limitations of this research related primarily to issues of scope and sample, both of which guided the recommendations for future research in this area.

Research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Town and Regional Planning to the School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / This research report is interested in telling the story of activist work by looking at the work that is done by the Inner City Resource Centre which is an NGO operating within the Johannesburg area. The intention of this study is to understand the effect of activism in an environment that is highly contested by reflecting on different viewpoints of those involved in inner city work and dynamics where housing is concerned. The views of different stakeholders working within this space therefore become highly critical. The narratives by the different individuals highlight the strategies and tactics employed by various actors and institutions in shaping processes in order to achieve goals. / MT2017

Thesis (M.A. (Social Development))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Human and Community Development, 2017. / Human trafficking has been called modern day slavery, and is affecting numerous countries worldwide. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) (2012), there are approximately more than 20 million people classified as victims of human trafficking. Thus, it is evident to see that this is a global social problem that needs a collective inter-sectoral response involving social workers as well. This research aimed to investigate social service provision to adult victims of human trafficking. The research approach of the study was qualitative. The research design applied was a case study. Non probability purposive sampling was used to select eight participants for the study. Data was collected using one-on-one in depth interviews. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that social workers, employed at shelters that provide services to adult human trafficking victims, have a good understanding of what human trafficking entails. The services at the shelter addresses basic needs like safe accommodation, food and clothing, and also access to health services. Court support to the victims of human trafficking, and skills development to empower victims with a skill to facilitate economic empowerment, are also provided. The social worker further provides therapeutic support to victims, as well as facilitates reintegration back into society. The research identified the following challenges: security concerns for the victim as well as the shelter, complicated trauma symptoms presented by the rescued human trafficking victim and lastly the lengthy court case subsequently impacting on service delivery. Social development at its core refers to the well-being of the most vulnerable in our communities, by addressing both social and economic development (Midgley, 1995). The research study attempted to understand how social workers, as part of the social service professions, assist vulnerable adult victims of trafficking in their journey to restoration and healing. / XL2018

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1971.

Welfare agencies are involved in a complex process of transformation and working to overcome the past unjust system of racial and social discrimination in welfare. Many new policies have been developed as instruments of transformation and reform. There has been a shift in welfare policy from a residual model of welfare to a developmental focus. This requires radical changes by those involved in the welfare sector. This study assesses the level of transformation in service delivery in welfare agencies in KwaZulu-Natal: the link between policy and implementation. The White Paper of Social Welfare (1997) and subsequent policies will form the criteria from which transformation will be evaluated. Child Welfare agencies in KwaZulu-Natal formed the sample in the study. A survey method was used. Management members and social workers the agencies were interviewed. Senior officials and staff being policy-makers of the National Council of Child Welfare were also interviewed. It is argued that welfare agencies are grappling with the process of transformation and that delivery of services is far removed from that which the policies intend. Change, it is argued, has to be handled holistically, by combing policy, organisational change, re-ciirecting of energy and social energy. The results of study illustrates that what appears to have occurred thus far has been limited, incremental and piecemeal. The global economy and the macro- . economic policy of GEAR has constrained achievement of the goals of developmental social wefare in that there has been minimal increases in social spending. Past policies have put a brake on the implementation of a relevant welfare system. It is unlikely that agencies have the capacity to deal with the intensity of policy change, organisational development and new client bases. Overall, it can be argued that change has been haphazard, too rapid and poorly managed. A proposed model towards transformation is recommended. There has to be a partnership in the public-civic interface based on synergy and co-production if welfare services are to be relevant and meet the needs of the majority of people of South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2000.

This research explored the experiences and perceptions of the performance appraisal systems in place and its value to social workers within the Department: Social Services and Poverty Alleviation: Provincial Government of the Western Cape.