The aim of this study was to investigate newly graduated social workers and soon to be graduated students of social work and their experiences regarding legal knowledge as practitioners working in individual and family care. The study was carried out with the help of a qualitative method. The material was collected through semi-structured interviews with social workers working in different areas such as child and family-care, financial assistance and addiction-intervention care. The interviewees presented their experiences of differences and gaps, confidence in their own legal knowledge, the inevitable possibility to interpret, time during education, further development of legal knowledge, and promotional and inhibiting factors for learning. The theory being used is Aristotle's theory of knowledge and its further development of Kant and Ryle. The study consistently contains a professional-theoretical perspective. In addition, previous research has been used to link the results with both the theoretical perspective and the interviewees' statements. The result shows that there is a difference and a gap between studies and working life and that a large part of the legal knowledge comes from the work. The majority considered that they had acquired basic legal knowledge from their education but they wanted more in-depth knowledge. They also considered that the work as a social worker is complex, as the different areas within the law they work with leave a great deal of room for individual interpretations. Half of all interviewees also described a need for further development. A large part of previous research correlates with what emerged from the study's results. According to the interviewees, a large part of their knowledge derives from practical experience while there is an imminent desire to combine the practice with the theory. / Studiens syfte var att undersöka nyexaminerade socionomers och snart utexaminerade socionomstudenters upplevelser av sina juridiska kunskaper som myndighetsutövare inom området individ- och familjeomsorg. Studien genomfördes med hjälp av en kvalitativ metod och materialet samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med socialsekreterare som arbetade inom områdena barn- och familj, ekonomiskt bistånd samt missbruk. Intervjupersonerna återgav sina erfarenheter av skillnader och glapp, förtroendet till den egna juridiska kunskapsnivån, det oundvikliga tolkningsutrymmet – en utmaning, tiden på socionomprogrammet, vidareutveckling av juridiska kunskaper samt främjande och hämmande faktorer för inlärning. Den teori som har använts är Aristoteles kunskapsteori samt dess vidareutveckling av Kant och Ryle. Studien innehåller genomgående ett professionsteoretiskt perspektiv. Därtill har tidigare forskning använts för att knyta samman resultatet med både teorin och intervjupersonernas utsagor. I resultatet framgår det att det finns en skillnad och ett glapp mellan studier och arbetsliv och att en stor del av den juridiska kunskapen kommer från arbetet. Majoriteten ansåg att de fått med sig grundläggande juridiska kunskaper från socionomprogrammet men att de önskat mer fördjupning. De ansåg även att arbetet som socialsekreterare är komplext då lagtexterna de arbetar med lämnar ett stort utrymme för individuella tolkningar. Hälften av alla intervjupersoner beskrev därtill ett behov av vidareutveckling. En stor del av tidigare forskning korrelerar med det som framkom i studiens resultat. Enligt intervjupersonerna härstammar en stor del av deras kunskaper ifrån praktiska erfarenheter och det finns ett överhängande önskemål om att kombinera praktiken med teorin.

The diploma thesis is focused on the differences in the system of child care in a children's home and in foster care. The fundamental right of children in the event of their separation from their parents, which is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, includes the right to regular personal contact with parents (if such contact is in the best interests of the child). The first part of the diploma thesis is focused on the legal anchoring of institutional education and alternative family education with a focus on children's homes and foster care. Furthermore, the basic rights of children, especially the right of children to contact with the biological family with a focus on the description of the practical functioning of supporting the contact of children with the biological family in children's homes and foster care. The second part of the diploma thesis is focused on research, the aim of which is to find out, through quantitative research, how children growing up in a given form of alternative care perceive the support of contact with the biological family.

This diploma thesis deals with the topic of Ethical dilemmas of social pedagogues in the department of social and legal protection of children. The aim was to find out what ethical dilemmas the social pedagogues at OSPOD had dealt with most frequently. The theoretical part includes a general part on the social and legal protection of children, basic legislation of children and family rights, the role of a social pedagogue, and an ideal profile of a social pedagogue is also included. In the next chapters ethics in social pedagogy is mentioned theoretically, ethical dilemmas and their consequences are presented as well. The Code of Etics of social workers can be encountered at the end of the theoretical part. In the practical part of the thesis, the dilemmas social pedagogues deal with most frequently have been established, by the coding method on basis of interviews carried previously. Among such dilemmas belong: taking children from biological families, the manipulation of parents towards children or the dilemma of boundaries among social workers and their clients.

This study was undertaken to identify the biographical characteristics, attitudes and perceptions of informal family care-givers caring for patients with mental illness in Dennilton. Data were gathered from 48 care-givers by using a cross-sectional survey approach in which structured questionnaires were completed. The results revealed that a sizeable proportion of the care-givers were 60 years and older. Only 10% were employed and a quarter married, suggesting that the care burden influenced their life choices. Many care-givers were mothers or female family members. Half of the patients cared for suffered from depression. Violent, aggressive behaviour was reported as a symptom that care-givers found difficult to deal with. Less than half of the care-givers reported that the patients accepted their health situation. / Sociology / M.A. Soc.

The diploma thesis is concerned with the long-term foster care; particularly with the experience of foster carer's own children. It provides knowledge of the alternative care system in the Czech Republic and the particularities of foster families. It describes how own children of foster carers experience the period of time before their foster sibling's arrival, what are their feelings and reactions after the arrival, how their positions in the family change, how their relationships are formed and how they perceive their parent's decision retrospectively. The theoretical part is followed by empirical part which is composed of quantitative and qualitative research. The results of quantitative research introduce the experience of biological children and create a basic idea of the situations in foster families. The conclusions of the qualitative research are then an addition of the quantitative part and help to a better imagination of the life in foster families. This thesis should contribute to foster care applicants, their children and specialists who work with foster families. Key words alternative family care, foster care, foster family, biological child, foster children, foster carers training, siblings

The diploma thesis deals with foster care and contacts with biological parents. The first chapter aims to the importance of family, family ties disorder and the CAN syndrome. The second chapter is focused on the substitute family care and its forms. The third chapter describes the foster care, what are the demands on the personality of the caring person, what the preparation looks like, which are the conditions and course of the foster care. The fourth chapter is focused on the child identity, contacts with biological parents and describes the process of assisted contacts.

HIV/AIDS is a terrible scourge that affects the whole of humanity. This is something nobody can deny or ignore. It is not only HIV infected people who are affected by this. Millions of others suffer too. Millions of Aids orphans live in poverty and are stigmatized by their communities. If one or both of the parents died of AIDS these orphans will have to burden the ensuing grief, hunger, illiteracy, sibling care, abuse and sometimes having AIDS themselves. Grandparents lose there children and get the responsibilities of raising their grandchildren thrust upon them. Other family members and friends sometimes have to share these unforeseen responsibilities too. The state faces an ever-increasing financial drain on its resources, and tries to keep up with ever changing legislation. The church, especially the local church is also deeply affected by this reality. She cannot shirk her responsibilities in the matter. She cannot turn a blind eye to the overwhelming need out there. The methodological model of Zerfass is being used in the study. The crux of this study concerns the church's duty in this matter. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 and their supportive texts will test the local church on their involvement in this universal need. This study endeavours to find adequate and novel ways and forms of dealing with need with reference to Practical Theology, relevant Scriptural quotes and the historical churchly tradition of communal aid as witnessed in the early church. The social sciences are involved in this endeavour to fathom the depth of human need in connection with HIV/AIDS. This study clarifies what HIV/AIDS really means to people, the extent of the challenge, the stigma attached to the affliction, reasons for its spread, poverty, a shortage of ARV's, its incurability, the problems of Aids orphans. In addition this study will explore the challenges facing caregivers, substitute parents like grandparents or family members, formal or institutional care and children acting as heads of families. Their experiences are dealt with, as well as people's material and spiritual wants, and what they need, in order to survive and even grow in dire circumstances. The local church has a pastoral duty that encompasses much more than the needs of its parishioners. It needs to equip church members with missionary skills to strengthen those in need with the hope and good news of the Gospel. The impact of a concerted effort of a possible 33 000 Christian congregations in South-Africa cannot be underestimated. A study on small groups identify small groups as empowering bodies in the church's pastoral obligation. In one qualitative study the focus is on the daily life of a range of substitute caregivers: Grandparents, relatives, the experiences of substitute caregivers within institutionalized care, the experiences of people of European descent that run a house of safety and lastly the story of a kid acting as a family head over her siblings. There is the excitement of church involvement and the disappointment over church apathy. This practical model envisions a coordinated plan whereby the local church can serve and aid these substitute caregivers, to be part of the solution and not of the problem concerning HIV/AIDS. This could be called a "Flexi model". All local churches do not have the same resources, training and infrastructure. Nevertheless several possible solutions are possible, so that caregivers can be involved and empowered, to do what they have to do. The consequences of a successful outreach could be spiritual growth in a local church, inner mental and spiritual health, identification of new and suitable caregivers, reciprocity, poverty alleviation, the breaching of boundaries, empowerment of church members in the exercising of spiritual gifts, development of spiritual zeal, information exchange about the real challenges of AIDS, and the ongoing empowerment of caregivers to the lasting benefit of Aids orphans. The positive outcome is the inner transformation of a local church. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 especially verse 40b will become relevant to everyone: "In as much as you have done it to the lesser most of these brethren, you have done it to me." / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

HIV/AIDS is a terrible scourge that affects the whole of humanity. This is something nobody can deny or ignore. It is not only HIV infected people who are affected by this. Millions of others suffer too. Millions of Aids orphans live in poverty and are stigmatized by their communities. If one or both of the parents died of AIDS these orphans will have to burden the ensuing grief, hunger, illiteracy, sibling care, abuse and sometimes having AIDS themselves. Grandparents lose there children and get the responsibilities of raising their grandchildren thrust upon them. Other family members and friends sometimes have to share these unforeseen responsibilities too. The state faces an ever-increasing financial drain on its resources, and tries to keep up with ever changing legislation. The church, especially the local church is also deeply affected by this reality. She cannot shirk her responsibilities in the matter. She cannot turn a blind eye to the overwhelming need out there. The methodological model of Zerfass is being used in the study. The crux of this study concerns the church's duty in this matter. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 and their supportive texts will test the local church on their involvement in this universal need. This study endeavours to find adequate and novel ways and forms of dealing with need with reference to Practical Theology, relevant Scriptural quotes and the historical churchly tradition of communal aid as witnessed in the early church. The social sciences are involved in this endeavour to fathom the depth of human need in connection with HIV/AIDS. This study clarifies what HIV/AIDS really means to people, the extent of the challenge, the stigma attached to the affliction, reasons for its spread, poverty, a shortage of ARV's, its incurability, the problems of Aids orphans. In addition this study will explore the challenges facing caregivers, substitute parents like grandparents or family members, formal or institutional care and children acting as heads of families. Their experiences are dealt with, as well as people's material and spiritual wants, and what they need, in order to survive and even grow in dire circumstances. The local church has a pastoral duty that encompasses much more than the needs of its parishioners. It needs to equip church members with missionary skills to strengthen those in need with the hope and good news of the Gospel. The impact of a concerted effort of a possible 33 000 Christian congregations in South-Africa cannot be underestimated. A study on small groups identify small groups as empowering bodies in the church's pastoral obligation. In one qualitative study the focus is on the daily life of a range of substitute caregivers: Grandparents, relatives, the experiences of substitute caregivers within institutionalized care, the experiences of people of European descent that run a house of safety and lastly the story of a kid acting as a family head over her siblings. There is the excitement of church involvement and the disappointment over church apathy. This practical model envisions a coordinated plan whereby the local church can serve and aid these substitute caregivers, to be part of the solution and not of the problem concerning HIV/AIDS. This could be called a "Flexi model". All local churches do not have the same resources, training and infrastructure. Nevertheless several possible solutions are possible, so that caregivers can be involved and empowered, to do what they have to do. The consequences of a successful outreach could be spiritual growth in a local church, inner mental and spiritual health, identification of new and suitable caregivers, reciprocity, poverty alleviation, the breaching of boundaries, empowerment of church members in the exercising of spiritual gifts, development of spiritual zeal, information exchange about the real challenges of AIDS, and the ongoing empowerment of caregivers to the lasting benefit of Aids orphans. The positive outcome is the inner transformation of a local church. Matthew 25 : 31 - 46 especially verse 40b will become relevant to everyone: "In as much as you have done it to the lesser most of these brethren, you have done it to me." / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The thesis deals with issues of SOS villages with a special focus on psychological problems. Its goal is to point out the psychological problems related to mental deprivation. The work is divided into the theoretical and the practical part. In the theoretical part, the activities of SOS villages are presented. Further explained is the notion of mental deprivation, its origin, historical development and examples, and it familiarizes with different kind of substitute family care. The practical part introduces a research by the method of questionnaire examination, which was conducted among foster mothers from the SOS village and retired foster mothers.

Short-term foster care is a fairly new form of substitute family care. Despite it having been incorporated in law since 2006, short-term foster care have only begun being employed seven years later. Only then the details of its administration were laid out in legislation. Purpose of this form of substitute family care is to prevent a placement of children into institutional care. It's possible to look at the professional foster care from different angles and thus assess it differently. Certainly, it has its positive and negative aspects as well as possible problems. It's undeniable that a well-functioning family is the best environment for raising and caring for a child. Forming an emotional bond is one of the most discussed factors contributing to the proper development of children placed in short-term foster care. Experts as well as the general public are looking for answers to the questions whether or not it's in the interest of the child to form an attachment to someone who's with them only for a short period of time, which children is professional foster care best suited for, whether children living in short-term foster care placements are less prone to suffer from emotional deprivation than children placed in institutional care or whether the duration of this form of foster care is sufficient. More questions arise over the degree of health care provided to infants placed with a professional forster family as well as over the level of risk of these children suffering traumas and stigmatizing experience compared to children living in institutional care. The objective of this thesis is to survey and assess the experience gained so far from implementing short-term foster care and to try and describe based on (previously) established facts how the children benefit from this form of substitute family care. In order to meet the set objective I chose a qualitative research strategy, the interview as a method, a semi-structured interview and a secondary analysis strategies. The results show that the most common reason for placing a child in this form of foster care is the impending adoption, i. e. it's mainly being used for infants whilst adoption placements are sorted out for them. To a lesser extent there are other reasons, respectively a minimum of older children are placed with professional foster families. Given these facts, it appears necessary to regard the short-term foster care differently depending on the age group of children placed in it. Undeniable merits of all cases of short-term foster care are an individual approach to each child that minimizes emotional deprivation and development of trauma, the development of the attachment behaviour and enough stimuli to influence a child's development. In the case of older children these are an experience of living in a well-functioning family and a positive educational impact. Developing an attachment between the child and the foster parent and then losing it because of the child's departure from a family is more risky for older children than newborns and toddlers. Claim that no attachment is to be formed between the child and the foster parent proved entirely unrealistic. The lack of permanent medical supervision can be seen as a disadvantage of professional foster care especially from the perspective of child welfare workers. Children placed for adoption often come from not monitored pregnancies or parents at-risk, i.e. these are children with unknown history whose development can therefore be risky, so they require a professional medical care in the first weeks of their lives. Research results have also indicated foster parents' positive motivation to professional fostering, an undisputed enrichment that this occupation brings their entire families and a satisfaction resulting from the meaningfulness of their work. The author believes that the institute of short-term foster care is undoubtedly very beneficial for a certain category of