Transracial foster care is a reality due to the ongoing social problems in South Africa, that leads to a high number of children found in need of care and protection and in need of foster homes. The Children’s Act (38 of 2005) encourages children to be placed in the care of a person with a similar background to their own, but simultaneously makes provision for children to be placed in the care of a person that does not have the same background as their own. The number of children found in need of a foster care placement, significantly surpasses the number of willing and able, same race, foster care parents. Transracial foster care has been a topic for research internationally for a couple of years, highlighting the influence of the transracial placement on the foster child. However, there continues to be limited research in South Africa on this growing phenomenon. Most research in South Africa focus on transracial adoptions and not specifically foster care placements. The aim of this qualitative research study was to broaden the knowledge base of transracial foster care in South Africa, in order to contribute to services provided to transracial foster care families. The research study was based in the northern and southern suburbs of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Participants included foster parents of transracial foster care families and the social workers who supervise the foster care families participating in this study. Nine foster parents and three social workers participated in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant in order to explore their experiences of being involved in transracial foster care placements. The article in Section B of this document aims to highlight the important aspects of transracial foster care in order to create a better understanding of this phenomenon. / MSW (Child Protection), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Children constitute a large part of the client group that social workers deal with on a daily basis. Establishing a helping relationship between the child client and the social worker is crucial for accurate assessments and successful interventions. In the rural areas there are limited resources for social workers and that impedes referrals for therapeutic interventions with children. The social worker is then expected to be able to intervene in order for children to deal with their problems and improve their well-being. If the social worker is unable to establish a relationship with the child client, then his/her assessments and interventions would be affected detrimentally. The literature is clear that an established helping relationship is necessary in order for social workers to be able to intervene successfully. This study endeavoured to qualitatively explore the relationship building experiences in the initial phase of social work intervention between social workers and child clients in their middle childhood years. The findings of the study showed that it is indeed a wonderful and motivating experience to be able to establish a helping relationship with a child and to be allowed to influence the child’s life. But social work is practical and sometimes has to focus on immediate needs and crisis decisions instead of solely focusing on building a helping relationship. First impressions are lasting and the helping relationship often has to be built swiftly and in difficult circumstance. There are a few major constraints to establishing the helping relationship in the initial phase of social work. Limited time and resources prevent social workers from committing to individual intervention with a child. Children are wary of social workers due to the stigma of statutory work, and building rapport is thus difficult as a result of the resistance the social worker experiences from the child client and/or his parents. Rural social workers often have to travel to the child client as the child does not have the means to come to the social worker, and these guest locations are usually not child- and/or intervention-friendly. The participants observed that the children are not familiar with play material which limits the initial relationship building activities that one can employ. An interesting experience that the social workers had, was that they withdrew from certain individual interventions with children for fear that they might worsen the child’s experience due to their lack of skills in working with children on sensitive matters. Certain professional attributes of the social workers aid the initial relationship building experience with children. It was observed that the natural appeal between the social worker and child plays a significant role in establishing the relationship and that it cannot be forced. Based on the findings of the study certain recommendations could be made towards further research in the future. Apart from discussing their experiences and constraints in relationship building during the initial phase, the children and social workers also made suggestions for practice. These suggestions were captured in guidelines for the readers of this report. Propositions are made to non-government organisations for training opportunities for social workers in the field. A few recommendations are also made to researchers who propose to do research with children as participants. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Transracial foster care is a reality due to the ongoing social problems in South Africa, that leads to a high number of children found in need of care and protection and in need of foster homes. The Children’s Act (38 of 2005) encourages children to be placed in the care of a person with a similar background to their own, but simultaneously makes provision for children to be placed in the care of a person that does not have the same background as their own. The number of children found in need of a foster care placement, significantly surpasses the number of willing and able, same race, foster care parents. Transracial foster care has been a topic for research internationally for a couple of years, highlighting the influence of the transracial placement on the foster child. However, there continues to be limited research in South Africa on this growing phenomenon. Most research in South Africa focus on transracial adoptions and not specifically foster care placements. The aim of this qualitative research study was to broaden the knowledge base of transracial foster care in South Africa, in order to contribute to services provided to transracial foster care families. The research study was based in the northern and southern suburbs of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Participants included foster parents of transracial foster care families and the social workers who supervise the foster care families participating in this study. Nine foster parents and three social workers participated in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant in order to explore their experiences of being involved in transracial foster care placements. The article in Section B of this document aims to highlight the important aspects of transracial foster care in order to create a better understanding of this phenomenon. / MSW (Child Protection), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Children constitute a large part of the client group that social workers deal with on a daily basis. Establishing a helping relationship between the child client and the social worker is crucial for accurate assessments and successful interventions. In the rural areas there are limited resources for social workers and that impedes referrals for therapeutic interventions with children. The social worker is then expected to be able to intervene in order for children to deal with their problems and improve their well-being. If the social worker is unable to establish a relationship with the child client, then his/her assessments and interventions would be affected detrimentally. The literature is clear that an established helping relationship is necessary in order for social workers to be able to intervene successfully. This study endeavoured to qualitatively explore the relationship building experiences in the initial phase of social work intervention between social workers and child clients in their middle childhood years. The findings of the study showed that it is indeed a wonderful and motivating experience to be able to establish a helping relationship with a child and to be allowed to influence the child’s life. But social work is practical and sometimes has to focus on immediate needs and crisis decisions instead of solely focusing on building a helping relationship. First impressions are lasting and the helping relationship often has to be built swiftly and in difficult circumstance. There are a few major constraints to establishing the helping relationship in the initial phase of social work. Limited time and resources prevent social workers from committing to individual intervention with a child. Children are wary of social workers due to the stigma of statutory work, and building rapport is thus difficult as a result of the resistance the social worker experiences from the child client and/or his parents. Rural social workers often have to travel to the child client as the child does not have the means to come to the social worker, and these guest locations are usually not child- and/or intervention-friendly. The participants observed that the children are not familiar with play material which limits the initial relationship building activities that one can employ. An interesting experience that the social workers had, was that they withdrew from certain individual interventions with children for fear that they might worsen the child’s experience due to their lack of skills in working with children on sensitive matters. Certain professional attributes of the social workers aid the initial relationship building experience with children. It was observed that the natural appeal between the social worker and child plays a significant role in establishing the relationship and that it cannot be forced. Based on the findings of the study certain recommendations could be made towards further research in the future. Apart from discussing their experiences and constraints in relationship building during the initial phase, the children and social workers also made suggestions for practice. These suggestions were captured in guidelines for the readers of this report. Propositions are made to non-government organisations for training opportunities for social workers in the field. A few recommendations are also made to researchers who propose to do research with children as participants. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Parenting plans are a new concept for professionals in South Africa working in the field of divorce. Emphasis has been placed on the development of parenting plans by including the concept of parenting plans in section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Professionals are now confronted with formulating adequate parenting plans which are focussed on the best interest standard of the child(ren) and that will assist the family with its functioning post–divorce. The aim of this research was to develop substantive guidelines that can assist the professional in drafting parenting plans. To achieve this aim, the following objectives guided the study: * To provide the legal context of parenting plans in South Africa. A legal context of parenting plans in South Africa is discussed by way of a literature study through an intensive analysis and critical discussion on a number of legal instruments pertaining to children, such as the Children’s Act 38 of 2005; the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). * To ascertain the views of mental health professionals (social workers and psychologists) and legal professionals (attorneys and family advocates) with regard to the divorcing family and parenting plans. The views of mental health professionals and legal professionals with regard to the divorcing family in respect of parenting plans were established. Professionals completed an electronic questionnaire that consisted of open questions to establish their views. Further telephonic interviews with the professionals were facilitated to gain further insight into the professional view points on the issue of divorcing families and parenting plans. * To ascertain the needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) and to present these needs in the structuring of a parenting plan. The needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) were established through an explorative approach by means of a document study and electronic questionnaires that were completed by the family members. Through this exploration the researcher obtained an understanding of the needs of the divorcing family related to parenting plans. * To provide professionals with comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan. Comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan were constructed for professionals working in this area, based on findings of articles 1, 2 and 3 of this research. The researcher also relied on her background and training as a qualified social worker to construct these guidelines. It was concluded that professionals are not necessarily well equipped to structure high quality parenting plans. Guidelines ought to assist the professionals to structure plans that are well organised, practical, child–centred, developmentally appropriate, and representative of the divorcing family needs. The researcher believes that as parenting plans are obligatory for parents that divorce, there is a need for South African research on this subject matter. This study is a contribution in the research field as to assist the professionals with the task of compiling parenting plans for the divorcing family. In addition this study adds value to the forensic field by setting guidelines on the structuring of parenting plans that empower the professional to work in this challenging field. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Child sexual abuse is a major problem in Africa. There are a large number of child sexual abuse cases which are opened on a monthly basis. Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue and therefore trained professionals are needed in order to deal with the issue. Proper investigations need to be conducted. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse cases, finalising such cases successfully becomes a major problem. Numerous departments play a role in the investigation of these cases such as the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, non–governmental organisations (NGOs), etcetera. The community does not have an understanding of how these cases are dealt with and, as a result, they blame the police for not doing their work properly and being useless. The role players also blame one another for the unsuccessful prosecution of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse. For example, prosecutors may blame the police for poor investigations and the police may, in turn, blame prosecutors for releasing suspects from custody unreasonably and removing cases off the roll for no apparent reasons. Social workers may also be blamed for not doing their work properly and taking too long to submit the assessment reports. Doctors may also be blamed for failing to attend court hearings and for filing incomplete reports. Although the role players have their inadequacies in investigating these cases, the truth is that each of them has their own unique protocol for handling cases of child sexual abuse. Therefore, a need emerged to explore the circumstances that affect the finalisation of child sexual abuse. In response to this, a qualitative study based in Tembisa was conducted. The aim of the study was to identify the circumstances that contribute to the finalisation of child sexual abuse cases in Tembisa. From the survey it was clear that there are several contributing factors, such as the delay of DNA results, inadequate training of the role players, and service points that are understaffed. The researcher came to the conclusion that the successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases lies with all the role players in the investigation of child sexual abuse. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Parenting plans are a new concept for professionals in South Africa working in the field of divorce. Emphasis has been placed on the development of parenting plans by including the concept of parenting plans in section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Professionals are now confronted with formulating adequate parenting plans which are focussed on the best interest standard of the child(ren) and that will assist the family with its functioning post–divorce. The aim of this research was to develop substantive guidelines that can assist the professional in drafting parenting plans. To achieve this aim, the following objectives guided the study: * To provide the legal context of parenting plans in South Africa. A legal context of parenting plans in South Africa is discussed by way of a literature study through an intensive analysis and critical discussion on a number of legal instruments pertaining to children, such as the Children’s Act 38 of 2005; the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). * To ascertain the views of mental health professionals (social workers and psychologists) and legal professionals (attorneys and family advocates) with regard to the divorcing family and parenting plans. The views of mental health professionals and legal professionals with regard to the divorcing family in respect of parenting plans were established. Professionals completed an electronic questionnaire that consisted of open questions to establish their views. Further telephonic interviews with the professionals were facilitated to gain further insight into the professional view points on the issue of divorcing families and parenting plans. * To ascertain the needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) and to present these needs in the structuring of a parenting plan. The needs of the divorcing family (parents and child(ren)) were established through an explorative approach by means of a document study and electronic questionnaires that were completed by the family members. Through this exploration the researcher obtained an understanding of the needs of the divorcing family related to parenting plans. * To provide professionals with comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan. Comprehensive and clear guidelines on the basic structure and general content of a parenting plan were constructed for professionals working in this area, based on findings of articles 1, 2 and 3 of this research. The researcher also relied on her background and training as a qualified social worker to construct these guidelines. It was concluded that professionals are not necessarily well equipped to structure high quality parenting plans. Guidelines ought to assist the professionals to structure plans that are well organised, practical, child–centred, developmentally appropriate, and representative of the divorcing family needs. The researcher believes that as parenting plans are obligatory for parents that divorce, there is a need for South African research on this subject matter. This study is a contribution in the research field as to assist the professionals with the task of compiling parenting plans for the divorcing family. In addition this study adds value to the forensic field by setting guidelines on the structuring of parenting plans that empower the professional to work in this challenging field. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Child sexual abuse is a major problem in Africa. There are a large number of child sexual abuse cases which are opened on a monthly basis. Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue and therefore trained professionals are needed in order to deal with the issue. Proper investigations need to be conducted. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse cases, finalising such cases successfully becomes a major problem. Numerous departments play a role in the investigation of these cases such as the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, non–governmental organisations (NGOs), etcetera. The community does not have an understanding of how these cases are dealt with and, as a result, they blame the police for not doing their work properly and being useless. The role players also blame one another for the unsuccessful prosecution of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse. For example, prosecutors may blame the police for poor investigations and the police may, in turn, blame prosecutors for releasing suspects from custody unreasonably and removing cases off the roll for no apparent reasons. Social workers may also be blamed for not doing their work properly and taking too long to submit the assessment reports. Doctors may also be blamed for failing to attend court hearings and for filing incomplete reports. Although the role players have their inadequacies in investigating these cases, the truth is that each of them has their own unique protocol for handling cases of child sexual abuse. Therefore, a need emerged to explore the circumstances that affect the finalisation of child sexual abuse. In response to this, a qualitative study based in Tembisa was conducted. The aim of the study was to identify the circumstances that contribute to the finalisation of child sexual abuse cases in Tembisa. From the survey it was clear that there are several contributing factors, such as the delay of DNA results, inadequate training of the role players, and service points that are understaffed. The researcher came to the conclusion that the successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases lies with all the role players in the investigation of child sexual abuse. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Until recently, the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focusing on medicine and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to the faith in healing, in the physician, and in the doctor-patient relationship. This reductionist view of patients being only material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and healthcare professionals have begun to value the role of elements such as faith, spirituality, hope and compassion in the healing process. The effect of such spiritual elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view, which included the non-material dimension. The goal of this study was to explore the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients at the CHBAH. The primary research question, which this study attempted to answer, was: What is the understanding of spirituality among the healthcare professionals and patients at CHBAH? In view of this primary research question, the following secondary research questions were formulated: * What does a literature review produce regarding spirituality in healthcare and what are the current practices related to spirituality in healthcare. * What are the views of healthcare professionals and patients concerning the relevance of spirituality in their day-to-day lives and healthcare interventions? * What are the spiritual needs of patients and to what extent does spirituality contribute towards their coping with health-related issues? * Which practical and scientific recommendations can be offered to healthcare professionals regarding including/incorporating spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH? In view of the aim, the researcher identified the following specific objectives for this study: * To explore spirituality in healthcare by means of a literature review; * To explore and describe the views of medical social workers and other healthcare professionals about the relevance of spirituality in a healthcare setting; * To explore and describe the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients in CHBAH; * To propose a protocol as an organizational framework on the incorporation of spirituality in healthcare at CHBAH. This protocol should be implemented during social workers‟ and other healthcare professionals‟ interactions with patients. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, problem formulation, goal, research question and the objectives of this study and a brief overview of the methodology. Chapter 2 focuses on the description of research methodology that was utilised in this study. Chapter 3 is composed of a literature study on spirituality and the religions identified and explored in CHBAH, as well as existing practices related to spirituality in health care. In Chapter 4, the data generated through narratives from focus-group discussions and healthcare professionals‟ spiritual journey is processed and reported. In Chapter 5 a proposed protocol for inclusion of spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH is presented and discussed in detail Chapter 6 consists of the conclusions and summary of this study. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Until recently, the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focusing on medicine and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to the faith in healing, in the physician, and in the doctor-patient relationship. This reductionist view of patients being only material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and healthcare professionals have begun to value the role of elements such as faith, spirituality, hope and compassion in the healing process. The effect of such spiritual elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view, which included the non-material dimension. The goal of this study was to explore the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients at the CHBAH. The primary research question, which this study attempted to answer, was: What is the understanding of spirituality among the healthcare professionals and patients at CHBAH? In view of this primary research question, the following secondary research questions were formulated: * What does a literature review produce regarding spirituality in healthcare and what are the current practices related to spirituality in healthcare. * What are the views of healthcare professionals and patients concerning the relevance of spirituality in their day-to-day lives and healthcare interventions? * What are the spiritual needs of patients and to what extent does spirituality contribute towards their coping with health-related issues? * Which practical and scientific recommendations can be offered to healthcare professionals regarding including/incorporating spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH? In view of the aim, the researcher identified the following specific objectives for this study: * To explore spirituality in healthcare by means of a literature review; * To explore and describe the views of medical social workers and other healthcare professionals about the relevance of spirituality in a healthcare setting; * To explore and describe the understanding of spirituality among healthcare professionals and patients in CHBAH; * To propose a protocol as an organizational framework on the incorporation of spirituality in healthcare at CHBAH. This protocol should be implemented during social workers‟ and other healthcare professionals‟ interactions with patients. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, problem formulation, goal, research question and the objectives of this study and a brief overview of the methodology. Chapter 2 focuses on the description of research methodology that was utilised in this study. Chapter 3 is composed of a literature study on spirituality and the religions identified and explored in CHBAH, as well as existing practices related to spirituality in health care. In Chapter 4, the data generated through narratives from focus-group discussions and healthcare professionals‟ spiritual journey is processed and reported. In Chapter 5 a proposed protocol for inclusion of spirituality in healthcare services in CHBAH is presented and discussed in detail Chapter 6 consists of the conclusions and summary of this study. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014