M.A. / Kinship families have cared for children on a full-time basis for thousands of years, and for many years it has been standard practice for welfare agencies to consider the placement of children with kin whenever it becomes necessary to find an alternative way of caring for them. Many welfare experts believe that children will be better served if their care is provided by family members rather than strangers and yet, ironically, little scientific research has been done by welfare agencies and researchers to assess the value of kinship foster placement. Research focusing specifically on black foster parents is very scant. Generally, the decision about the placement of children in kinship homes has been based primarily on the professional observation of social workers as opposed to information derived from research findings. Despite the apparent growth in the use of kinship foster care and the concomitant suspicions about its advisability, children are still being placed in kinship homes. Kinship foster care placement is advocated most by welfare agencies, without the practice having been scientifically assessed. This deficiency has left the field with little information on which to base work with kinship foster families. The main purpose of this study was therefore to gain knowledge and to analyse the facts pertaining to kinship foster placement, and to draw a profile of kinship foster families in the urban residential area of Vosloorus. Quantative descriptive methods were used in this study. The main concern of the study was to collect data in such a way that it could be systematically processed and interpreted reliably. A descriptive design was chosen, as explanations can be tested by means of research questions. Eight research questions were formulated and put to the test. Facts were also established by studying literature reviewing case records, and interviewing foster parents as well as social workers. The results of this study suggest that we have not scientifically thought the purpose and goals of placing children with relatives through, but we have done so on the bases of certain assumptions, that is, we have assumed that relatives would be more willing to care and provide for the children of relatives than those of non-relatives. The study has provided information about kinship foster care and foster family care, focusing on the demographic characteristics of kinship foster parents, the services received by kinship foster parents, the manner in which kinship foster children are treated and the issue of visits by case workers. This study has provided insight and knowledge upon which agencies can base their selection of kinship foster parents. The findings have been discussed, and recommendations offered for policy, practice and future research.

Co-operatives are multifaceted as they have different meanings for their members. They are an important passage to sustainable development as they provide their members and communities with the opportunity of joining forces and addressing their needs. Various pieces of South African legislation endorse the establishment of co-operatives and support community members to own co-operatives. The research findings show that cooperative members are motivated to participate even though they experience challenges in the cooperatives. What keeps them going is the drive to succeed. This is strengthened by cooperative principles to which they adhere. The role of the social worker in initiating and supporting cooperatives, utilizing empowerment and developmental approaches, provides extra benefits for cooperative members, their families and the larger community. One critical benefit is the income generated through economic activities to support members and their families. Based on the research findings, recommendation are made with regard to practice, policy and further research. / Social Work / M.A. (S.S.) (Social Work)

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The prevalence of Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in South Africa has been welldescribed in previous research studies and yet little is known about the nutritional status of toddlers in the Vosloorus Township. Using the research questions as the conceptual framework for the study, an exploratory descriptive survey was conducted to determine. • What factors give rise to malnutrition in the Vosloorus Township? • Why do toddlers on the PEM Programme fail to achieve their expected target weight? Data was collected by means of structured interviews from a sample of 50 mothers in the Vosloorus Township whose toddlers were on the PEM Programme. The fmdings indicated that the poor socio-economic conditions of the majority of households, especially unemployment, low levels of education and ignorance, contributed towards the development of malnutrition amongst toddlers and their failure to thrive on the PEM Programme. Recommendations to reduce levels of malnutrition and transform existing nutrition programmes were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The prevalence of Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in South Africa has been welldescribed in previous research studies and yet little is known about the nutritional status of toddlers in the Vosloorus Township. Using the research questions as the conceptual framework for the study, an exploratory descriptive survey was conducted to determine. • What factors give rise to malnutrition in the Vosloorus Township? • Why do toddlers on the PEM Programme fail to achieve their expected target weight? Data was collected by means of structured interviews from a sample of 50 mothers in the Vosloorus Township whose toddlers were on the PEM Programme. The fmdings indicated that the poor socio-economic conditions of the majority of households, especially unemployment, low levels of education and ignorance, contributed towards the development of malnutrition amongst toddlers and their failure to thrive on the PEM Programme. Recommendations to reduce levels of malnutrition and transform existing nutrition programmes were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)