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

The introduction of a new policy and approach to South Africa’s welfare system saw a shift in focus and advancement made towards, the redress of past socio-economic imbalances which was brought on by apartheid laws and legislations which deliberately discriminated against South Africa’s majority groups. Within this new welfare system, came the introduction of The White Paper for Social Development (1997) which advances Developmental Social Welfare as the new approach to social welfare in South Africa.The body of literature around this approach focuses on transformation of welfare services since the adaptation of the new developmental welfare policy in 1997. Amongst scholars there is consensus on the need to continuously explore and to make an analysis of the transformation process advocated by this new approach. Interests in recent times suggest the need to bench mark the transformation process against a set of indicators. This and the study of available literature resulted in this qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and contextual research study with the following goal: To contribute to the proposed evaluation of the implementation of the developmental social welfare approach by measuring progress towards developmental social welfare through social workers’ perceptions and experiences. On the backdrop of the research goal a qualitative research approach was used. A purposive sampling method was used to draw participants from two Non-governmental organisations in Pretoria. Data was collected by means of two focus group interviews and two individual interviews which were tape recorded for data analysis. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s model for data analysis and the findings were displayed in the form of themes subthemes and categories. Data verification occurred in reference to Guba’s model for trustworthiness. The researcher then drew conclusions from this analysis of data and used literature control to discuss the findings. Through these processes this research presents findings in relation to social workers perceptions of the concept of developmental social welfare, their perception on the implementation progress of the developmental social welfare approach, perceptions on Indicators of developmental social work and social welfare and in relation to the principles of the proposed framework by Patel and Hochfeld (2008).

M.A (Clinical Social Work) / The Department of Health and Social Development (DHSD) has the crucial mandate of protecting the vulnerable groups within society. These include women, children and people living with disabilities. In order to attain this, DHSD has employed social workers and other social service professionals to render the required services. Sexual abuse is a violent crime that is committed on children, who form part of the vulnerable groups. This study aims to determine social workers’ perception of their role in the management of child sexual abuse in the West Rand, Gauteng. It further aims to make recommendations that will enhance social workers’ intervention with sexually abused children. Kantrowitz and Okun’s (2008) framework of the roles of social workers was considered when analyzing participants’ perceptions of their roles in intervening with sexually abused children. The concepts relevant to the study included social workers’ perceptions and social work roles. The research approach of the study was qualitative, as the goal was to describe and analyse social workers’ perceptions of their roles. The findings indicated that social workers were not clear on their roles when rendering services to sexually abused children. They do not utilise evidence-based tools, and they end up doing tasks that are supposed to be done by other service providers, such as parents or care givers. They furthermore do not feel confident to render therapeutic services, and require training and support in this regard. Recommendations made to DHSD included providing continuous training and debriefing sessions to social workers.

Bibliography: pages 424-440. / The study relates the work done by social workers in the employ of the NG Sendingkerk to the community development needs of those communities that the NG Sendingkerk serves. The social workers concerned are trained by the Kerk itself. The study seek answers to the following questions: 1. What modern models of community development would be applicable to communities such as those served by the NG Sendingkerk and its social workers? What world view do such models of community development represent? 2. What are the principal features of the communities served by die NG Sendingkerk that are relevant to community development? 3. Relating (1) and (2) above, what criteria for optimum community development can be laid down for the Communities served by the NG Sendingkerk? 4. How do social workers trained by the NG Sendingkerk perceive the communities in which they work? What world view influences their perception? How does (4) relate to (2) above? 5. What is the programme of training followed by the NG Sendingkerk for its social workers? (A distinction is to be made between the intention of the training programme and the results of the training programme as perceived by the trainees). 6. If appropriate models of community development were to be applied to the communities which the NG Sendingkerk serves, to what extent does the Kerk's social work training equip its social workers with both the knowledge and the tools that these models require? 7. What proposals can be made for (1) modifying models of community development appropriate to the communities served by the NG Sendingkerk, (2) additional or different tools for the Kerk's social workers, (3) alteration of the perceptions of the communities within their existing world view?

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Die rol van die maatskaplike werker verbonde aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens Hoofkantoor en sy afdelings is die onderwerp van hierdie studie. Hierdie rol is aan die hand van die take wat deur middel van die studie geTdentifiseer is, bepaal. Personeelmaatskaplikewerk het die teoretiese agtergrond vir hierdie studie gevorm. Maatskaplike werk in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens is fundamenteel in terme van sy ontstaan en ontwikkeling, missie en doelstellings beskryf.Die empiriese opname het volgens die nominale groepstegniek en 'n gestruktureerde onderhoudskedule plaasgevind. Maatskaplike werkers, kapelane, sielkundiges en bestuurders/bevelvoerders verbonde aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens Hoofkantoor en sy afdelings was as respondente gebruik. Die navorser het die kennis wat deur hierdie studie opgedoen is, gebruik om spesifieke aanbevelings te maak ten opsigte van Maatskaplikewerkdienste in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens, Hoofkantoor-afdelings. / The role of the social worker attached to the South African Police Service, Head Office and its divisions is the subject of this study. This role has been prescribed by tasks which were dictated by the study. Industrial social work formed the theoretical background for this study. Social work in the South African Police Service is described in foundation in terms of its origin and development, mission and objectives. The empirical survey was carried out according to the nominal group technique and a structured interview schedule. Social workers, chaplains, psychologists and managers/ officers commanding on the staff of the South African Police Service, Head Office and its divisions, were used as respondents. The researcher has used the information gained by this study to make specific recommendations regarding Social Work Services, Head Office Divisions, in the South African Police. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Die rol van die maatskaplike werker verbonde aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens Hoofkantoor en sy afdelings is die onderwerp van hierdie studie. Hierdie rol is aan die hand van die take wat deur middel van die studie geTdentifiseer is, bepaal. Personeelmaatskaplikewerk het die teoretiese agtergrond vir hierdie studie gevorm. Maatskaplike werk in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens is fundamenteel in terme van sy ontstaan en ontwikkeling, missie en doelstellings beskryf.Die empiriese opname het volgens die nominale groepstegniek en 'n gestruktureerde onderhoudskedule plaasgevind. Maatskaplike werkers, kapelane, sielkundiges en bestuurders/bevelvoerders verbonde aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens Hoofkantoor en sy afdelings was as respondente gebruik. Die navorser het die kennis wat deur hierdie studie opgedoen is, gebruik om spesifieke aanbevelings te maak ten opsigte van Maatskaplikewerkdienste in die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens, Hoofkantoor-afdelings. / The role of the social worker attached to the South African Police Service, Head Office and its divisions is the subject of this study. This role has been prescribed by tasks which were dictated by the study. Industrial social work formed the theoretical background for this study. Social work in the South African Police Service is described in foundation in terms of its origin and development, mission and objectives. The empirical survey was carried out according to the nominal group technique and a structured interview schedule. Social workers, chaplains, psychologists and managers/ officers commanding on the staff of the South African Police Service, Head Office and its divisions, were used as respondents. The researcher has used the information gained by this study to make specific recommendations regarding Social Work Services, Head Office Divisions, in the South African Police. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Work)

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a major challenge for social workers worldwide, as well as in South Africa. In light in the above, the present study aimed to explore the lived experiences of social workers dealing with victims of IPV at Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province. A qualitative study was conducted among social workers working with victims of IPV. The study had anticipated using 10 participants but, due to data saturation, only six participants were interviewed. Each interview took 45–60 minutes, depending on each participant’s responses. A total of six participants, all females between the ages of 24 and 39 years, were selected using purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied for data analysis. Four major themes emerged from the analysis of the data: a) emotional and psychological distress experienced by social workers; b) impact on personal and professional lives; c) coping strategies; and d) vicarious posttraumatic growth. Importantly, some themes and subthemes not included in the interview guide emerged from the data. These included subthemes such as family involvement and societal pressure. The findings of the study highlighted that it is quite rare for men to report IPV, although at times they do. There is greater IPV prevalence among females of different ages. Secondary traumatisation is one of the negative effects that social workers experience when working with cases of traumatic IPV. However, social workers have found effective ways of coping with the demands of their work. Some of the identified coping mechanisms included choosing to spend time with family, trying to forget about the day’s work, travelling, being strong and resilient, consulting a psychologist, playing games, praying (spirituality) and reading the Bible, sharing their experiences with a more experienced social worker, spending time with friends, laughing, singing and remaining professional. The study found that these coping strategies helped the social workers to deal with burnout and compassion fatigue. The present study recommends that effective coping methods and support for mental health care workers are needed to assist with secondary trauma stress and the negative effects that comes with the job.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Employee Health and Wellness Programme is an intervention by government to build and maintain a health promoting workplace. The programme aims to address various health and wellness problems employees‟ face that may negatively impact their performance and productivity. The programme is available for social workers; however, their utilisation is low. It is important to understand how social workers perceive the programme, in order to enhance provision of this programme to them and to promote their general health and wellness. Objectives: The study was aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of social workers about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured face-to-face interview. The study site was at the selected locations in the Polokwane Municipality. Purposive sampling was used and due to data saturation, 10 participants were interviewed. All the interview sessions were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Results: The results highlighted positive and negative perceptions about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme among social workers and the Department of Social Development. The positive perceptions include alleviating stress and burnout, reduced sick leaves and increased productivity. The negative perceptions include stigma and confidentiality issues. The results also revealed challenges of accessibility, awareness, promotion and marketing of the programme. These challenges make it difficult for social workers to utilise and benefit from the programme as expected. Conclusions: The Employee Health and Wellness Programme should be well implemented, widely marketed and promoted to all employees within the Department of Social Development.

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The need for school social work was first recognised in the 1940s in South Africa. And in recent years, researchers have shown interest in understanding social workers in school settings. In pursuit of adding to knowledge, the researcher undertook a study to look at the perceptions of school principals and circuit managers on the need for school social workers in Mankweng, Limpopo province. The ecological theory by Bronfenbrenner laid the foundation for this research. The study was driven by a qualitative methodology and a descriptive design; where ten (10)participants were selected purposefully and interviewed in Mankweng, Polokwane. The interviews were semi-structured and used an interview guide. The thematic content analysis method was considered to make sense of the data gathered through interviews and observations. The study post analysis found that in schools, learners encounter hurdles, social workers play diverse roles, and those social workers are a prerequisite in school settings. In the light of these findings, the researcher came to recommendations that: government should employ and place social workers in all public schools, and that the South African Council for Social Service Profession should promote more specialisation of school social workers to defeat social problems in our schools.

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Social workers are working with vulnerable, marginalised and abused clients on a daily basis. Hence, Employee Assistance Programme services are vital to nurture the emotional well-being of employees. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of social workers regarding utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme services in the Greater Giyani Municipality of Limpopo Province. The objectives of the study were to determine social workers' awareness of Employee Assistance Programme services available to them and to establish factors that contribute to the utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme services. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used face-to-face interviews aided by a semi-structured interview schedule to collect data. Non-probability sampling and purposive sample technique were used to select the participants. Moreover, exploratory design was used as a blue print of the study to obtain insight about the perception of social workers of the utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme services. The researcher used thematic analysis to analyse and interpret data. The findings show that participants are not taking advantage of the available psychosocial services within the Department of Social Development. The study also found that participants had never used the EAP, despite the fact that the majority of them had felt the need to seek professional help at some point. Furthermore, participants do not believe in the credibility of the Employee Assistance Programme resulting in them not utilising the available services. Participants expressed concerns about confidentiality, a lack of office space, resources, and poor marketing. The study has concluded that social workers based at the Greater Giyani Municipality of Limpopo Province, have a negative perception regarding the use of EAP services, hence the programme is under-utilised.