Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory study relating to the knowledge of and skills in social work consultation of chief social workers in the Department of Social Services was undertaken. The absence of a written policy pertaining to consultation in social work is one reason for consultation not being optimally practiced and utilised. This negatively influences the standard of service delivery to the client system. The study aims to serve as a guideline for the Department of Social Services with regards to the possible formulation of a policy document on consultation within social work practice. An empirical study supported by the literature study was performed on a test sample comprising of six service officers of the Department Social Services, Cape Peninsula. The empirical study examined and described the respondents opinions, skills, knowledge and shortcomings regarding social work consultation. The utilization and application of consultation in social work by chief social workers in the Department of Social Services was determined through the usage of interview questionnaires. The empirical study enabled the researcher to draw certain conclusions. The respondents were confused and uncertain about the term consultation in social work. A clear and definite need for a written policy that could serve as a guideline in the utilization of consultation was identified. Selection criteria for social workers to progress from supervision to consultation should form part of a consultation policy. Most of the respondents identified a need for training in social work consultation and half of the respondents experienced problems in the use of consultation. A number of recommendations stem from the findings and conclusion. The chief social workers theoretical knowledge regarding consultation needs to be updated. This knowledge should be implemented practically. The Department of Social Services needs to create clear guidelines for consultation in social work and these should be reflected in a policy document that promotes and compels the use of consultation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verkennende studie is onderneem om te bepaal oor watter kennis van en vaardigheid in maatskaplike werk konsultasie hoof maatskaplike werkers in die Departement van Maatskaplike Dienste beskik. Die gebrek aan 'n geskrewe beleid vir konsultasie in maatskaplike werk het tot gevolg dat konsultasie nie optimaal uitgevoer en benut word nie. Derhalwe word die gehalte van dienslewering aan die kliëntsisteem negatief beïnvloed. Die studie het ten doel om 'n raamwerk vir die Departement Maatskaplike Dienste op te stel wat as riglyn vir konsultasie in maatskaplike werk en kan dit aangewend word om 'n beleidsdokument saam te stel. 'n Empiriese studie gesteun deur 'n literatuurstudie is gedoen te opsigte van 'n steekproef bestaande uit ses dienskantore van die Departement Maatskaplike Dienste in die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die empiriese studie het die respondente se opinies, vaardighede, kennis en leemtes ondersoek en beskryf. Die benutting en toepassing van konsultasie in maatskaplike werk deur hoof maatskaplike werkers in die Departement Maatskaplike Dienste is deur middel van vraelyste vasgestel. Die empiriese studie het eerstens bevind dat verwarring en onsekerheid voorkom ten opsigte van respondente se begrip van die term konsultasie in maatskaplike werk. Tweedens is bevind dat 'n behoefte aan 'n geskrewe beleid wat kan dien as riglyn vir die benutting van konsultasie in maatskaplike werk deur hoof maatskaplike werkers verlang word. Derdens, dat keuringskriteria vir die oorgang van supervisie tot konsultasie deel moet vorm van staatsinstansies se konsultasie beleid. Laastens is 'n behoefte aan opleiding in maatskaplike werk konsultasie deur die respondente geïdentifiseer aangesien die helfte van die respondente probleme ondervind tydens die benutting van konsultasie. Aanbevelings na aanleiding van die bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings sluit in dat hoof maatskaplike werkers se kennis oor konsultasie aangevul moet word en dat hierdie kennis prakties benut moet word. Riglyne vir konsultasie in maatskaplike werk in die Departement Maatskaplike Dienste moet opgestel word en in 'n beleidsdokument saamgevat word. Hierdie beleid moet die gebruik van konsultasie aanmoedig of selfs verplig.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Juvenile offenders have certain characteristics, which separate them from the law abiding young people. These characteristics, together with the subcultures inside prison in which they become socialized, can cause dysfunctional development, which in turn can lead to recidivism. To approach this client system and plan intervention according to the ecological perspective, the social worker needs to be equipped with a certain knowledge base. Firstly, knowledge is necessary about the profile of the juvenile offender. Secondly, the social worker has to understand the impact that a prison environment can have on the juvenile. Thirdly, it is also important that the worker knows how these factors can influence the intervention process and also be aware of different methods to strengthen the social functioning of the juvenile in pnson. This study endeavours to create a scientifically based framework for the development of a strategy for intervention with the juvenile offender, in order to bring about appropriate social functioning and by doing this, reduce recidivism. The research includes aspects of all three the recognized types of research, namely: exploratory, descriptive and explanatory. The profile of the juvenile offender, as well as ways in which the prison environment impacts on his development was determined by means of interviews and described in terms of the effect it might have on the intervention process. The respondents consisted of 11 ex juvenile offenders. Conclusions and recommendations were made which focussed, amongst others, on the various phases in the group work process and the development of knowledge regarding the juvenile offender. This research report can be utilized by social workers for effective intervention with juvenile offenders in prison. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Jeugoortreders het sekere karaktereienskappe wat hul van wetsgehoorsame jeugdiges onderskei. Hierdie karaktertrekke, tesame met die gevangeniskultuur waarbinne hul gesosialiseer word, veroorsaak disfunksionele ontwikkeling wat weer na residivisme kan lei. Om volgens 'n ekologiese perspektief intervensie met hierdie kliëntsisteem te benader, is dit eerstens noodsaaklik dat die maatskaplike werker die profiel van die jeugmisdadiger ken. Tweedens is dit nodig dat die werker die impak van die gevangenisomgewing op die jeugdige verstaan. Derdens is dit belangrik dat die werker weet hoe hierdie faktore op die hulpverleningsproses kan impakteer en ook bewus moet wees van verskeie metodes om die jeugdige in die gevangenis se maatskaplike funksionering te beïnvloed. Hierdie studie bevat kenmerke van al drie die erkende navorsingsdoelstellings, naamlik verkenning, beskrywing en verklaring. Die ondersoek het ten doel om 'n wetenskaplik gefundeerde raamwerk daar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van 'n intervensiestrategie ten opsigte van jeugmisdadigers in die gevangenis, ten einde funksionele maatskaplike funksionering mee te bring en sodoende residivisme te verminder. Die profiel van die jeugmisdadiger en die impak van die omgewing op sy ontwikkeling is deur middel van onderhoude bepaal en beskryf in terme van die invloed wat dit op die intervensieproses kan hê. Respondente in die navorsing het uit elf vrygelate jeugmisdadigers bestaan. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is gemaak wat onder andere gefokus het op die verskeie fases in die groepwerkproses en ontwikkeling van kennis oor die betrokke kliëntsisteem. Hierdie navorsingsverslag sal deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word vir effektiewe hulpverlening aan jeugdiges in die gevangenis.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1953. / No Abstract Available

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to South African policy documents, social welfare services, health care providers and schools should place special focus on supporting pregnant adolescents to avoid the possible deleterious effects of early unplanned pregnancies. This implies that pregnant adolescents require support, from multiple levels, in order to adjust positively to their pregnancy so as to promote their well-being and the well-being of their unborn child. This study explores and describes the support needs of pregnant adolescents in three lowincome communities. This was done by examining the support that was currently available and utilised by pregnant adolescents, as well as identifying areas that required improved support. By adopting an ecological approach to the study, the need for support could be investigated on multiple levels. A combination of a quantitative and qualitative research approach was used in the study. The study further assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design in order to provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied, namely adolescent pregnancy. Data was gathered by means of a semi-structured questionnaire, which was administered during an individual interview. This allowed for data to be collected that was both measurable as well as rich in description. The design of the semi-structured questionnaire was based on the information obtained from the literature review. The findings of the empirical investigation reveal that adolescents have limited knowledge of formal support services, particularly social welfare services, support groups and health care services, which results in poor utilisation of these services. Consequently, limited support is attributed to these particular services. The findings further indicate that informal sources of support, such as family, friends and partners, were relatively supportive during the adolescent’s pregnancy. However, the adolescents’ relationships with their parents and partners were particularly strained during the pregnancy, especially the relationship with their father. Of significance is the finding that fathers were considered those who offered the adolescents the least amount of support during the pregnancy. As a result of their pregnancy, the adolescents were stigmatised on multiple levels. There was stigmatisation from their friends and peers at school, which had an impact on their social adjustment. Stigma experienced at health care services led to chastising experiences, which deterred the adolescents from utilising such services. Furthermore, pregnant adolescents are stigmatised by their community, and the widespread judgement leads to increased tension and apprehension when seeking formal and informal support. The most important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that many resources of support would be better utilised during pregnancy if adolescents had greater knowledge of the support available to them. This is of particular significance with regard to social welfare services, which play a key role in educating adolescents, their parents and the community about sexuality, adolescent pregnancy and the significance of support. In addition, the recommendations emphasise the importance of promoting and facilitating peer education and support services, which could be of great value for pregnant adolescents. Receiving support and education from peers can be highly effective, but also allows pregnant adolescents to make a valuable contribution to other adolescents in similar situations. In doing so, pregnant adolescents are empowered and encouraged, which is much needed in an environment where they are typically shunned and branded as failures. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens Suid-Afrikaanse beleidsdokumente moet maatskaplike welsynsdienste, gesondheidsdiensteverskaffers sowel as skole ʼn spesiale fokus plaas op die ondersteuning van swanger adolessente om sodoende die nadelige gevolge van vroeë, onbeplande swangerskappe te beveg. Dit veronderstel dat swanger adolessente hulp benodig uit vele vlakke ten einde ʼn positiewe aanpassing tot hulle swangerskap te maak om sodoende hulle eie welstand en dié van hulle ongebore kind te bevorder. Hierdie studie ondersoek en beskryf die ondersteuningsbehoeftes van swanger adolessente in drie lae-inkomste gemeenskappe. Dit is gedoen deur die huidige ondersteuning wat wel beskikbaar is en deur swanger adolessente gebruik is, te ondersoek, asook om aspekte te identifiseer wat meer ondersteuning benodig. Deur die gebruik van ʼn ekologiese benadering tot hierdie studie kon die behoefte aan ondersteuning dus op veelvoudige vlakke ondersoek word. ʼn Kombinasie van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is in hierdie studie gebruik. Die studie veronderstel verder ʼn verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp om sodoende ʼn uitvoerige beskrywing van die verskynsel wat ondersoek word, naamlik adolessente swangerskap, te verskaf. Data is ingevorder deur die gebruik van ʼn semigestruktureerde vraelys wat tydens individuele onderhoude toegedien is. Dit het toegelaat dat data ingevorder kon word wat beide meetbaar sowel as ryk in beskrywing was. Die ontwerp van die semi-gestruktureerde vraelys is gebaseer op inligting verkry uit die literatuurstudie. Die bevindinge vanuit die empiriese ondersoek dui daarop dat adolessente beperkte kennis het oor die formele ondersteuningsdienste, veral maatskaplike welsynsdienste, ondersteuningsgroepe en gesondheidsdienste, wat dan swak gebruik van bogenoemde dienste tot gevolg het. Gevolglik word beperkte ondersteuning aan hierdie dienste toegeskryf. Die bevindinge dui verder dat informele bronne van ondersteuning, soos familie, vriende en metgeselle, relatief ondersteunend was tydens die adolessent se swangerskap. Nietemin was die adolessente se verhoudings met hulle ouers en metgeselle besonder gespanne, veral dié met hulle vaders. Van aansienlike belang was die bevinding dat veral vaders beskou is as dié persone wat die minste ondersteuning tydens die swangerskap gebied het. Daarbenewens word adolessente as gevolg van hulle swangerskap op veelvoudige vlakke gestigmatiseer. Daar is stigmatisering deur vriende en portuurgroepe op skool, wat ’n impak het op die adolessent se sosiale aanpassing. Stigmatisering deur gesondheidsdienste het gelei tot tugtigingsondervindings wat die adolessente daarvan weerhou het om hierdie dienste te gebruik. Verder word adolessente ook deur hulle gemeenskappe gestigmatiseer, waar die algemene veroordeling lei tot verhoogde spanning en vrees wanneer hulle formele of informele ondersteuning benodig. Die belangrikste aanbevelings van hierdie studie, dui daarop dat vele bronne van ondersteuning beter gebruik sou geword het tydens swangerskap indien die adolessente meer kennis van die beskikbare ondersteuning gehad het. Dit is veral opmerklik ten opsigte van maatskaplike welsynsdienste, wat ʼn vername rol speel in die opvoeding van adolessente, hulle ouers en die gemeenskap aangaande seksualiteit, adolessente swangerskap en die belangrikheid van ondersteuning. Daarby benadruk die aanbevelings die belangrikheid van die bevordering en fasilitering van portuurgroepopvoeding en ondersteuningsdienste, wat van groot waarde vir adolessente kan wees. Om ondersteuning van portuurgroepe te ontvang, kan nie slegs hoogseffektief wees nie, maar ook toelaat dat swanger adolessente ʼn positiewe bydrae aan ander adolessente kan maak wat hulle in dieselfde situasie mag bevind. Sodoende word swanger adolessente bemagtig en bemoedig, wat noodsaaklik is in ʼn omgewing waar hulle tipies vermy en as mislukkings beskou word.

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Internationally accepted opinion is that the education of social work students is currently under pressure to more effectively prepare the students concerned for service delivery in changing circumstances. Emphasis is placed on the role that social justice, relevance of theory, respect for human rights, cross-cultural competencies and diversity currently play in service delivery to the client system and therefore also within the educational situation. Social work educators must be equipped to provide students with effective education and to facilitate an effective learning process for a diverse student population. Various authors point out that during the learning process students must first be empowered to take control of their own life decisions before being able to successfully render services to a client system. Such empowerment in a diverse setting can be achieved through both the educators and students utilizing their diversity of cultures, backgrounds and experiences as resources to increase learning expenences. Education of social work students occurs amongst others through supervision, which a competent social work educator gives to the student. It is the purpose of this study to examine the nature of education by means of supervision in a diverse student population. Appropriate adult learning models that strive towards empowering students through supervision in a diverse setting, are discussed, as well as the nature of the multicultural competencies of the social work educator concerned. Finally practical and theoretical guidelines are provided according to which social work supervision can be used successfully in the education of a diverse student population. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Internasionaal word die mening gehuldig dat die onderrig van maatskaplikewerkstudente tans onder druk is om die betrokke studente meer effektief vir dienslewering in veranderende omstandighede voor te berei. Klem word geplaas op die rol wat sosiale geregtigheid, relevansie van teorie, respek vir menseregte, kruiskulturele kompetensies en diversiteit tans in dienslewering aan die kliëntsisteem en dus ook in die onderrigsituasie, vertolk. Maatskaplikewerkdosente moet toegerus wees om effektiewe onderrig aan studente te gee en om 'n effektiewe leerproses vir 'n diverse studentepopulasie te fasiliteer. Verskeie outeurs wys daarop dat studente tydens die leerproses eers bemagtig moet word om beheer oor hulle eie lewensbesluite te neem alvorens tot suksesvolIe dienslewering aan 'n kliëntsisteem oorgegaan kan word. Sodanige bemagtiging in 'n diverse opset kan bereik word deurdat beide dosente en studente hulle verskeidenheid van kulture, agtergronde en ervarings as hulpbronne gebruik om leerervarings te verhoog. Onderrig van maatskaplikewerkstudente geskied onder andere deur supervisie wat deur 'n kompetente maatskaplikewerkdosent aan die studente gegee word. Hierdie studie het ten doel om die aard van onderrig deur middel van supervisie in 'n diverse studentepopulasie te ondersoek. Geskikte volwassene onderrigmodelle wat tydens supervisie in 'n diverse opset die bemagtiging van studente nastreef, word bespreek, asook die aard van die multikulturele kompetensies van die betrokke maatskaplikewerkdosent. Ten slotte word praktiese en teoretiese riglyne daargestel waarvolgens maatskaplikewerksupervisie suksesvol benut kan word in die onderrig van 'n diverse studentepopulasie.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The emotional development of a preschool child is of great importance, since it serves as a basis for later emotional development. South African policy and legislation emphasizes the protection of preschool children and the provision of programmes that support the development of preschool children. Mothers are often the caregivers of preschool children and need to facilitate the emotional development of their preschool child. Therefore a study that examines mothers’ knowledge of the facilitation of preschool emotional development was conducted. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with 30 mothers that served as the primary caregiver of a preschool child or children. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each mother where quantitative as well as qualitative questions were asked. These questions were based on basic preschool emotional development in order to study mothers’ knowledge, perception and needs regarding preschool basic emotional development. Mothers’ knowledge of the Child Care Act 38 of 2005 was also researched. In this study mothers had good knowledge of basic preschool emotional development, but regardless of this knowledge, most mothers still had a need to learn more about preschool emotional development. Since only basic preschool emotional development was assessed, a study that investigates secondary emotional development needs to be conducted in order to create programmes that enhance knowledge of preschool emotional development. Regardless of mothers’ good knowledge of basic preschool emotional development, knowledge of the Child Care Act 38 of 2005 was poor. The Child Care Act 38 of 2005 is a national legal document that is applicable to all mothers and therefore it is important that mothers have knowledge regarding the content of this document. In this study mothers also indicated a need to learn more about the Child Care Act 38 of 2005, therefore the improvement of knowledge of the Child Care Act 38 of 2005 is a recommendation for service delivery for social workers at welfare organisations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die emosionele ontwikkeling van ‘n voorskoolse kind is belangrik omdat dit dien as ‘n basis vir latere emosionele ontwikkeling. Suid-Afrikaanse beleid en wetgewing beklemtoon ook die beskerming van voorskoolse kinders en die voorsiening van programme wat ontwikkeling in hierdie ouderdomsgroep fasiliteer wat op die belangrikheid hiervan dui. Moeders is dikwels die versorgers wat emosionele ontwikkeling van voorskoolse kinders fasiliteer. Daarom is ‘n studie na die kennis wat moeders oor beskik om hierdie ontwikkeling te fasiliteer uitgevoer om areas vir vermeerdering van kennis te kan identifiseer. ‘n Verkennende en beskrywende studie is met 30 moeders wat die primêre versorgers van hul voorskoolse kinders is, onderneem. ‘n Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud is met elke moeder gevoer, waarin kwantitatiewe sowel as kwalitatiewe vrae gevra is oor basiese voorskoolse emosionele ontwikkeling om moeders se kennis, persepsies en behoefte aan kennis te ondersoek. Moeders se kennis van die Suid-Afrikaanse Kinderwet 38 van 2005 is ook ondersoek. Daar is bevind dat moeders oor goeie kennis beskik rakende die basiese emosionele ontwikkeling van ‘n voorskoolse kind. Alhoewel kennis van basiese emosionele ontwikkeling goed was, het meeste moeders meegedeel dat hulle oor ‘n behoefte aan verdere kennis beskik. Deurdat slegs basiese emosionele ontwikkeling ondersoek is, moet verdere studies onderneem word om sekondêre ontwikkeling te ondersoek en daarvolgens moet programme saamgestel word om areas waar kennis onderbreek, aan te vul. Ten spyte daarvan dat moeders se kennis van basiese voorskoolse emosionele ontwikkeling in hierdie studie goed was, was kennis van die Kinderwet 38 van 2005 min. Die Kinderwet 38 van 2005 word nasionaal toegepas op moeders met kinders en daarom is dit belangrik dat moeders van hierdie Wet kennis dra. In hierdie studie is‘n behoefte aan hierdie kennis rakende die Kinderwet 38 van 2005 aangedui en is die verbetering van kennis ten opsigte van die Kinderwet 38 van 2005 as ‘n aanbeveling vir dienslewering deur maatskaplike werkers by gesinsorgorganisasies gemaak.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adolescence is a challenging development stage because youths engage in risk-taking behaviour, including anti-social and criminal acts. Factors which contribute to youth becoming involved in crime include having a poor self-concept, being male, the negative behaviour of parents, family dysfunction, low socio-economic status, low literacy levels or being illiterate, peers who exercise a negative influence, and poor role models. Diversion strategies are practised worldwide, including South Africa, to deal with the growing number of youth in conflict with the law. After diversion practice was legalised in South Africa, some challenges have been experienced with implementation. However, the views of social workers are limited regarding diversion practices after the Child Justice Act no 75 of 2008 was introduced. The objective of the study is to gain insights from social workers who facilitate diversion programmes with male juvenile delinquents. In this study, attention was paid to explaining the nature of juvenile delinquency of male adolescents in a South African context; describing diversion programmes in terms of the Child Justice Act no 75 of 2008 to deal with children outside the criminal justice system; discerning the scope, nature and contribution of diversion programmes for the rehabilitation of delinquents; investigating the views of social workers on diversion programmes for male juvenile delinquents; and to make recommendations regarding the facilitation of diversion programmes with male juvenile delinquents. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in the study. The study further assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design due to the limited information available regarding the views of social workers on diversion programmes with male juvenile delinquents. A purposive sampling method was used to select the participants. Data was gathered by means of a structured questionnaire, which was administered during 20 individual interviews. This allowed for a holistic view to be gained of participants' opinions about and insights into the topic. The design of the questionnaire was based on the information obtained from the literature review. The findings of the empirical investigation mainly confirmed the findings of the literature study that males are more vulnerable to juvenile delinquency, that parents and families play substantial roles in the causes of juvenile delinquency and, lastly, that diversion programmes offer much benefit to youth offenders. The most important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that social workers should become more skilled and equipped to facilitate therapeutic groups as this will contribute to the reduction of re-offending. Parental and family involvement in diversion programmes is essential as it will increase the impact on the youth offender. In addition, the recommendations indicate the significance of monitoring and evaluation of diversion programmes, in this way ensuring the proper implementation of the Act. Lastly, it is suggested that more research be done about diversion practices internationally to increase knowledge regarding implementation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die puberteitsjare is 'n uitdagende ontwikkelingsfase omdat die jeugdige riskante gedrag toon, soos antisosiale optrede en die pleeg van misdaad. Faktore wat bydra tot die jeugdige se betrokkenheid by misdaad is die feit dat hy tot die manlike geslag behoort, 'n lae selfbeeld het, die negatiewe gedrag van ouers, uit 'n gebroke huis kom, aan lae sosioekonomiese status ly, die lae vlak van of geen geletterdheid het nie, vriende wat 'n negatiewe invloed uitoefen, en swak rolmodelle. Afwendingstrategieë word wêreldwyd beoefen, ook in Suid-Afrika, om die toenemende aantal jeugdiges wat met die gereg bots, te help. Nadat afwendingspraktyke in Suid-Afrika gewettig is, is sekere uitdagings in die praktyk ervaar. Min menings is deur maatskaplike werkers geopper oor afwendingspraktyke nadat bepalings ingevolge die Kindergeregtigheidswet nr 75 van 2008 toegepas is. Die doel van die studie is om insigte te verleng van maatskaplike werkers wat afwendingsprogramme met manlike jeugmisdadigers fasiliteer. Aandag is geskenk aan die aard van jeugoortredings deur manlike jeugdiges in Suid-Afrika, beskrywings van afwendingsprogramme wat jeugdiges buite die strafregtelike stelsel behandel ingevolge die Kindergeregtigheidswet nr 75 van 2008, om insigte te win oor die omvang, aard en bydrae van afwendingsprogramme vir manlike jeugoortreders met die oog op rehabilitasie, om die menings en insigte van maatskaplike werkers oor afwendingsprogramme vir manlike jeugoortreders te ondersoek, en om aanbevelings te doen oor die fasilitering van afwendingsprogramme vir sulke oortreders. 'n Kombinasie van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenaderings is in hierdie studie gevolg. Tydens hierdie ondersoek is ook beide 'n verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp benut, omdat die literatuur 'n gebrek toon aan die insigte van maatskaplike werkers oor afwendingsprogramme met manlike jeugoortreders. 'n Doelgerigte steekproeftrekking is gebruik om die deelnemers te keur. Gegewens is ingewin deur middel van 'n gestruktureerde vraelys in twintig afsonderlike onderhoude. Sodoende kon 'n geheelbeeld van die deelnemers se menings en insigte aangaande die onderwerp verkry word. Die samestelling van die vraelys is gegrond op inligting wat uit die literatuuroorsig verkry is. Die bevindinge van die ondersoek het grootendeels dié van die literatuuroorsig bevestig, naamlik dat mans meer kwesbaar is vir jeugoortredings, dat ouers en gesinne 'n groot rol speel in die oorsake van jeugoortredings, en dat jeugoortreders baat kan vind by afwendingsprogramme. Die belangrikste aanbevelings voortspruitend uit hierdie studie dui daarop dat maatskaplike werkers meer vaardighede moet opdoen en toegerus moet word om terapeutiese groepe te fasiliteer aangesien dit sal bydra tot die vermindering van die herhaling van die oortreding. Dit is belangrik dat ouers en families betrokke is by afwendingsprogramme omdat dit 'n groter uitwerking op die jeugoortreder sal hê. Die aanbevelings dui ook op die belangrikheid van die monitering en evaluering van afwendingsprogramme om te verseker dat die bepalings ingevolge die Wet korrek toegepas word. Laastens, daar word voorgestel dat meer navorsing oor afwendingspraktyke internasionaal gedoen word om kennis oor die implementering daarvan te verbreed.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to South African annual statistics, stillbirth is a relevant issue and National health policies, social welfare services and health care providers should place special focus on pregnant women to avoid the possible occurrence of a negative pregnancy outcome such as a stillbirth. An event that should have been a joyous birth, ended in a tragic death, forcing the mother to deal with the emotions of birth and death simultaneously. The bereaved mother needs to receive special care and support as soon as possible and the crisis intervention approach is seen as being helpful to regain a sense of equilibrium in her and the family’s life before starting to adapt to the new situation. This study explores and describes the lived experience of 25 mothers who experienced a stillbirth. Focus was given to the psychosocial implications of stillbirth on mothers and their families. This study examined the mothers’ feelings about the stillbirth six months or longer after the event, as well as its impact on relationships with partners and other children. By adopting a crisis intervention approach, the effectiveness of crisis intervention shortly after the stillbirth could be investigated. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and assumed an exploratory and descriptive research design to provide a detailed description of the phenomenon being studied, i.e. the psychosocial implications of stillbirth. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic (quantitative) data and a semi-structured questionnaire – the design based on information from literature - was administered during individual interviews. Obtained data was both measurable and rich in description and revealed that mothers still longed for their stillborn babies after a period of six or more months had passed. It also indicated that the father or partner of the baby and other children were affected by a stillbirth. Gender differences in how stillbirth is experienced by each partner, consequently adds extra tension on the relationship. Most of the mothers experienced the stillbirth as a crisis and found support in their mothers, family and a counsellor. Significantly, mothers felt crisis-intervention was beneficial, but preferred that crisis intervention be followed by on-going therapy. The stillbirth also resulted in feelings of alienation from community, friends and family - who did not know how to approach them. Generally, mothers were satisfied with medical care received but several issues regarding autopsy consent and guilt feelings surrounding this are highlighted. Important recommendations resulting from the study indicate that the crisis-intervention approach as method in social work is effective when rendering service for bereaved mothers and families after a stillbirth. It helps to regain a sense of equilibrium, but further intervention is recommended to facilitate the grief process. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of social workers being aware that the stillbirth causes tension in partner- and family relationships. Receiving social work intervention is not only highly effective, but allows bereaved mothers to feel empowered and encouraged to openly grieve for their stillborn babies - much needed in an environment where a stillbirth is seen as a silent birth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Volgens jaarlikse Suid-Afrikaanse statistieke, is stilgeboorte ‘n relevante onderwerp en die Nasionale gesondheidsbeleid, maatskaplike welsynsdienste en gesondheidssorgverskaffers moet fokus op swanger vroue ten einde moontlike negatiewe swangerskapuitkomstes, soos stilgeboorte, te voorkom. Tydens ‘n stilgeboorte, eindig die heuglike vooruitsig van ‘n geboorte in die tragiese afsterwe van die baba en word die moeder geforseer om emosies van geboorte en sterfte gelyktydig te hanteer. Sulke moeders benodig spesiale versorging asook ondersteuning so spoedig moontlik. Krisis intervensie is ‘n effektiewe metode om die moeder te help om ‘n mate van balans in haar en haar gesin se lewe te herwin voordat hulle kan begin aanpas by die nuwe situasie. Hierdie studie ondersoek en beskryf ervarings van 25 moeders wat ‘n stilgeboorte ervaar het. Fokus word geplaas op die psigososiale effek van stilgeboorte op moeders en hul gesinne. Moeders se gevoelens rakende die stilgeboorte ses maande of langer na die geboorte, is ondersoek, asook die effek daarvan op hul verhoudings met lewensmaats en ander kinders. Deur die krisis intervensie benadering te gebruik, kon die effektiwiteit daarvan kort na die stilgeboorte ondersoek word. Kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes is in hierdie studie gebruik. Die studie veronderstel ʼn verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp om sodoende ʼn uitvoerige beskrywing van die psigososiale implikasie van stilgeboorte te verskaf. Data word verkry deur ʼn vraelyste - demografiese (kwantitatiewe) data, asook semigestruktureerde vraelyste (kwalitatief) wat tydens individuele onderhoude toegedien is. Die ontwerp van die semi-gestruktureerde vraelys is gebaseer op inligting vanuit die literatuurstudie. Die bevindinge van die empiriese ondersoek dui aan dat moeders na ses maande of langer steeds hunker na hul stilgebore babas. Geslagsverskille rakende die wyse waarop moeders en vaders die stilgeboorte ervaar dra gevolglik by tot ekstra spanning in die verhouding. Die meeste moeders het die stilgeboorte as ‘n krisis ervaar en het ondersteuning gevind by hulle moeders, gesinne en ‘n berader/maatskaplike werker. ‘n Beduidende bevinding was dat moeders krisis intervensie as voordelig beskou het, maar verkies dat dit opgevolg moet word deur deurlopende terapie. Die stilgeboorte veroorsaak ook dat die moeders ‘n gevoel van vereensaming van die gemeenskap, vriende en familie ervaar het. Volgens hulle was mense te bang en onseker in hoe om hulle te benader. In die algemeen was moeders tevrede met die mediese sorg wat hulle ontvang het, maar kwessies rakende toestemming en skuldgevoelens rondom nadoodse ondersoeke word uitgelig. Belangrike aanbevelings dui aan dat krisis intervensie as metode in maatskaplike werk effektief is ten opsigte van dienslewering vir ‘n moeder en haar gesin na ‘n stilgeboorte. Dit help om ‘n mate van balans te herstel, maar verdere intervensie word aanbeveel om die rouproses te fasiliteer. Die studie beklemtoon ook dat dit belangrik is dat maatskaplike werkers bewus moet wees dat ‘n stilgeboorte spanning veroorsaak in huweliks- en gesinsverhoudings. Die ontvangs van maatskaplike werk intervensie is nie net hoogs effektief nie, maar bemagtig en motiveer moeders om openlik te rou vir hulle stilgebore babas, iets wat nodig is in ‘n samelewing waar stilgeboorte as ‘n geboorte beskou word waaroor daar nie gepraat word nie.

The research study explored the responsiveness of children's homes to the admission of children with physical and sensory disabilities. The research study was undertaken in the Ethekwini Municipality. Access to appropriate alternate care is enshrined in the Constitution of the country and the provision of residential care is one option for children who are found in need of care. The objectives of the research study were to identify gaps in the provision of residential services for children with disabilities and to explore what challenges are faced by children's homes in admitting children with physical and sensory disabilities. The theoretical framework that was used to guide the study was ecosytems theory. The ecosystems approach provided an understanding of the impact of barriers to inclusion. It also provided an understanding on the reciprocity that exists between children's homes and other systems. A qualitative research approach was used. A sample of ten children's homes was selected in the Ethekwini region, using the non-probability sampling technique. Data was collected using in-depth interviews, observation and a perusal of records. In-depth interviews were conducted with the assistance of an interview guide. The data was recorded and analysed according to common themes and trends. The results of the research study show that children's homes do not have the capacity to respond to the needs of children with disabilities. All the children's homes faced similar challenges, in the form of funding, human resources, building structures and access to resources that hinder the admission of children with physical and sensory disabilities to their facility. One of the major findings was that children with disabilities made up less than one percent of the total population of children in the children's homes. None of the children's home had developed inclusive admission policies for children with physical and sensory disabilities. There was a clear indication that the government would need to strengthen existing residential care facilities to make them more inclusive in nature. / Thesis (LL.M.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Universities in South Africa endure the challenge on an annual basis to secure field placements for the growing number of social work students. Field practice together with the required supervision is a critical component of the social work curriculum, since it provides students with opportunities to practice the skills taught in their theoretical courses. Whilst securing field placement is an extension of the social work curriculum, it is also essential to understand the plight of the supervisors and agencies that provide this service. The literature available in South Africa on this aspect is very limited, yet the dependency on agencies and supervisors is immense. This the study aimed at exploring and describing the experiences of social workers who supervise social work students’ field placement within Durban and the surrounding areas in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative explorative study was conducted through the use of an in-depth interview schedule and a total of 18 supervisors from a range of organizations formed the sample for this study. Supervisors were interviewed individually with the aim of exploring their experiences, perceptions, needs and challenges with regards to field practice placements and they were invited to make suggestions for a best practice model. The main conclusions drawn from this study were that agency supervisors acknowledge their critical role in this process. However, training and supporting them is minimised which impacts in various ways on their ability to function optimally. In addition, supervisors feel that students are not thoroughly screened for the profession; they are underprepared for the field and lack the basic skills essential for practice. Supervisors are often forced to function in isolation in the absence of models and theories on field practice placement and the lack of collaboration with the universities. The different universities in the province have different requirements and expectations of supervisors. The recent strategy to address the retention of social workers through the awarding of bursaries has resulted in enormous challenges, particularly related to students’ commitment, dedication to the profession and the impact on the NGO sector. The time spent in field practice is regarded as insufficient for students’ exposure to the dynamics of all types of services and the introduction of a policy, model and framework for student supervision by the professional counsel is long outstanding and impacts on the status of the profession. Emanating from the findings, recommendations have been made with regards to optimising the learning opportunity for students and to enhance the experience of supervisors in student supervision. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.