This research explored the perspective of foster parents on the educational experiences of foster children and experiences of communication patterns with other key stakeholders (social workers, and teachers). Factors focused on were educational experience of foster children, communication patterns, the impact of communication patterns on the educational experience, and barriers to effective communication. Five individuals who were, at the time of the study, foster parents to at least one child were interviewed. Participants openly shared a variety of positive and negative experiences. This study adopted the theoretical framework of Bronfenbrenner’s cultural-ecological theory. Participant interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductive coding was used for analysis of transcriptions. Central themes that emerged included past experiences of foster child impacts the educational experience, the teacher-student relationship impacts the educational experience, and communication patterns impact the consistency of expectations across systems. Results from the study showed that foster parents are generally satisfied with the communication patterns they experience with key stakeholders. Consistency of expectations and modeling of help seeking behavior were identified as the key impacts communication patterns have on the educational experience of foster children. A unique experience of the impact of communication with biological parents of the foster child was also revealed.

Title: Who is the expert and on what? A qualitative study of the social workers response of the client. The purpose with this study is to obtain an insight in how the social workers reason around the interaction with the client and how they see the client as an expert on herself. The study is qualitative and is based on semi-structured interviews with nine informants from different parts of the social Service from municipalities. The qualitative study has an inductive and a deductive approach and a perspective that is constructivism.  These interviews were thematized and three themes emerged. The first theme was about the response of the client and how the social workers looks at their role as professional in relation to the clients they encounter. Another key part of the same theme was the meeting with the client. The second theme has the client as the expert as the central part. The key here was the profession's view of the client's own knowledge about themselves and how social workers handle the client's knowledge. The third and last theme was all about how the profession meets and treats the client on the basis of guidelines and manuals. Central to this theme was this how the social worker looks at the use of guidelines and manuals during the meeting with the client, which some see them as a help and some see that sometimes these become a hindrance. These three themes are on social workers perspective on the treatment of the client from different angles. / Titel: Vem är expert och på vad? En kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterarnas bemötande av klienten.   Syftet med denna studie är att få en inblick i hur socialsekreterarna resonerar kring bemötandet av klienten och hur de ser på klienten som expert på sig själv. Studien är kvalitativ och baserades på semistrukturerade intervjuer med nio informanter från olika delar inom socialtjänsten från olika kommuner. Den kvalitativa studien har en induktiv ansats med inslag av deduktiv ansats och utgår från det konstruktivistiska perspektivet. Intervjuerna har tematiserats varvid tre teman kommit fram. Första temat handlar om bemötandet av klienten och hur socialsekreterarna ser på sin roll som professionell i förhållande till de klienter de möter. Ytterligare en central del i samma tema är mötet med klienten. Det andra temat har klienten som expert som central del. Här är det professionens syn på klientens egna kunskaper om sig själva och hur socialsekreterarna hanterar klientens kunskap som är det centrala. Tredje och sista temat handlar om hur professionen möter och bemöter klienten utifrån riktlinjer och manualer. Det centrala i detta tema är här hur socialsekreterare ser på användandet av manualer i mötet med klienten, där en del ser dem som en hjälp och en del ser att emellanåt blir dessa ett hinder. Dessa tre teman handlar om socialsekreterares perspektiv på bemötande av klienten från olika infallsvinklar.

Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Maatskaplike werkers kry daagliks te doen met seksueel misbruikte kinders en daar word spesifiek deur wetgewing en beleidsdokumente voorsiening gemaak vir hierdie intervensie. Sommige maatskaplike werkers is in diens van 'n spesifieke organisasie wat van hulle verwag om aan 'n spesifieke groep kliënte dienste te lewer. Die fokus van hierdie studie is gerig op maatskaplike werkers wat betrokke is by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders. Dienslewering geskied in 'n emosioneel hooggelaaide omgewing waar die moontlikheid van beroepstres groot is. Beroepstres kan veroorsaak word deur faktore in die interne omgewing (individu), die eksterne omgewing (werk/omgewing) of in die aard van die werk. Die doel van hierdie studie was om begrip te ontwikkel vir beroepstres en streshantering by maatskaplike werkers wat betrokke is by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders. Die navorsingsvraag vir die studie lui soos volg: “Hoe word beroepstres ondervind en hanteer deur maatskaplike werkers wat betrokke is by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders?” Hierdie navorsingsvraag is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing te onderneem. Die studie kan geklassifiseer word as verkennende en beskrywende navorsing. Twee- en-twintig maatskaplike werkers, werksaam by vyf organisasies wat spesifiek fokus op intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders in die Kaapse Metropolitaanse Gebied, is deur middel van 'n doelgerigte, nie-waarskynlike steekproef geselekteer. 'n Profiel van deelnemers is saamgestel en semi-gestruktureerde een-tot-een onderhoude is benut om 'n gedetailleerde beeld te verkry van beroepstres en streshantering by maatskaplike werkers wat betrokke is by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders. Hierdie onderhoude is aan die hand van 'n onderhoudskedule gevoer wat na aanleiding van die literatuurstudie saamgestel is. Die onderhoude is getranskribeer vir die doeleindes van data-analisering en aan die hand van Creswell (2009) se stappe geanaliseer. Sewe temas is geïdentifiseer, naamlik (1) perspektiewe op keuse van beroep, (2) dienslewering binne die konteks van 'n organisasie-struktuur, (3) oorsake van beroepstres, (4) manifestering van beroepstres, (5) implikasies van beroepstres, (6) voorkoming en hantering van beroepstres, en (7) ontwikkeling en groei van maatskaplike werkers. Hierdie temas is in subtemas en kategorieë verdeel en aan die hand van toepaslike narratiewe uit die onderhoude bespreek en met literatuur gekontroleer. Ten opsigte van elke tema is daar bepaalde gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings gemaak. Daar is bevind dat maatskaplike werkers om verskeie redes in die veld van seksuele misbruik begin werk het, waarvan die meerderheid toevallig in hierdie veld begin werk het. Aangesien die intervensie in die konteks van 'n organisasie-struktuur plaasvind, is dit belangrik dat hierdie organisasies die verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir werknemers se welstand, die nodige ondersteuning bied en hulpbronne/infrastruktuur voorsien. Daar is verder insig ontwikkel in watter faktore 'n oorsaak van beroepstres is, op watter wyses dit manifesteer en wat die implikasies daarvan vir die maatskaplike werker, gesin/huis/vriende en werkopset is. Daar is verskeie primêre, sekondêre en tersiêre strategieë wat benut kan word om beroepstres te voorkom of te hanteer. Dit blyk dat ondersteuning wat op verskeie vlakke aan die maatskaplike werkers gebied moet word, een van die belangrikste bevindinge in hierdie verband is. Laastens is die belang van ontwikkeling en groei van maatskaplike werkers in die veld van seksuele misbruik beklemtoon en verskeie wyses waarop dit kan geskied is geïdentifiseer. Aanbevelings is gemaak na aanleiding van die gevolgtrekkings van die studie. Die belangrikste aanbeveling is dat maatskaplike werkers wat betrokke is by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders op verskeie wyses na hul eie welstand moet omsien. Daar moet verder ook ondersteuning ontvang word van die organisasie in wie se diens hulle is ten einde effektiewe betrokkenheid te verseker by intervensie met seksueel misbruikte kinders. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Social workers work with sexually abused children on a daily basis and legislation and policy documents contain specific provisions for this intervention. Some social workers are employed by a specific organisation that expects them to render services to a specific group of clients. The focus of this study is on those social workers who are involved in intervention with sexually abused children. Service delivery takes place in an emotionally charged environment where occupational stress is a very real threat. Occupational stress can be caused by factors in the internal environment (individual), the external environment (work/environment) or in the nature of the work. The aim of this study was to create awareness of occupational stress and the handling thereof by social workers involved in intervention with sexually abused children. The research question for this study is as follows: “How do social workers that are involved in intervention with sexually abused children experience and handle occupational stress?” This research question was addressed through the use of qualitative research. The study can be classified as explorative and descriptive research. Twenty-two social workers, working at five organisations that are specifically focussing on intervention with sexually abused children in the Cape Metropolitan Area, were selected by means of a purposive, non-probability sample. A Profile of participants was compiled and semi-structured one-on-one interviews were used to obtain a detailed reflection of occupational stress and the handling thereof by social workers involved in intervention with sexually abused children. These interviews were conducted following an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with the literature study. The interviews were transcribed for the purpose of data analysis and were analyzed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). Seven themes were identified, namely (1) perspectives on the choice of occupation, (2) service delivery within the context of an organisation structure, (3) causes of occupational stress, (4) manifestation of occupational stress, (5) implications of occupational stress, (6) prevention and handling of occupational stress, and (7) development and growth of social workers. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories and discussed according to relevant narratives from the interviews and controlled with literature. Conclusions and recommendations were made according to each theme. It was concluded that social workers started working in the field of sexual abuse for a number of different reasons, with the most workers starting in this field by chance. Because this intervention takes place within the context of an organisation structure, it is important that the organisations take responsibility for the wellbeing of employees, give the necessary support, and supply resources/infrastructure. Insight was further gained into the factors causing occupational stress, the ways in which it manifests, and what the implications are for the social worker, family/home/friends and the work setup. There are different primary, secondary and tertiary strategies which can be used to prevent and handle occupational stress. It seems that one of the most important findings in this regard is that support must be given to social workers on various levels. The importance of development and growth of social workers in the field of sexual abuse was lastly emphasized and various ways in which this can be done were identified. Recommendations were made in accordance with the conclusions of the study. The most important recommendation is that social workers who are involved in intervention with sexually abused children must look after their own wellbeing in various ways. Support must also be received from the organisation by which they are employed in order to be effectively involved in intervention with sexually abused children.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impetus for this study is contextualised within social work teaching and learning and arose from the emergence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of social work students. The researcher had become increasingly interested in the ways in which these ACEs impacted on students in social work classrooms and felt compelled to enquire what the responses of teaching and learning in social work should be. The rationale for the study was further established by the dearth of research in this focal area. The research goal was to gain an understanding of the experiences of third-year students and the perspectives of social work teachers with regard to the role of adverse childhood experiences during teaching and learning activities and to recommend meaningful teaching practices. There were seven research objectives that focused on obtaining theoretical perspectives from the literature and on exploring and describing the adverse childhood experiences of students within the context of teaching and learning in social work. The research objectives generated the central research question: What are the learning experiences of third-year social work students at a South African university with regard to the role of their own adverse childhood experiences? A qualitative approach and case study design was deemed the most appropriate research philosophy and method to address the study’s objectives and central research question. The case study design was used to explore how individuals (third-year social work students at the University of the Western Cape) experienced a particular phenomenon (in this case adverse childhood experiences) in relation to teaching and learning within a social work context. To provide credence to the two purposes of this research, namely exploring and describing, two methods and two sources of data were utilised: (i) a reflective assignment in a specific social work third-year module from which 20 assignments were selected using purposive sampling; and (ii) individual interviews with ten student participants (derived from the sample of assignments) and two teaching staff participants. Three overarching topics emerged from the findings, namely the adverse childhood experiences of student participants; the after-effects of adverse childhood experiences in the context of teaching and learning in social work; and suggestions by participants for social work teaching and learning in the context of adverse childhood experiences. Each topic was delineated further into themes, sub-themes, and categories. The conclusions are that there was compelling evidence showing students to have endured formidable adverse childhood experiences; that students experienced overwhelming emotional reactions and responses during teaching and learning that exposed vicarious traumatisation; and that gaps present in current teaching and learning practices in social work render these practices insufficient to meet the learning needs of students. Three core recommendations relating to teaching and learning are offered: To develop the content of professional learning in the social work curriculum regarding the professional use of self, self-awareness and virtue ethics; to reconstruct and reaffirm the signature pedagogy regarding teaching and learning approaches and methods in social work; and to align fieldwork and placement learning with student profiles while also focusing on lecturer attentiveness and responsiveness. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die impetus vir hierdie studie is vervat in die onderrig en leer in maatskaplike werk van maatskaplike werk studente wat afbrekende kindertydse ervarings (AKE’s) deurgemaak het. Die navorser, wie se belangstelling al hoe meer geprikkel is deur die wyse waarop hierdie AKE’s studente in maatskaplike werk in die lesingsaal beïnvloed, is genoodsaak om inligting in te win oor wat die reaksie op onderrig en leer in maatskaplike werk behoort te wees. Die rasionaal vir die studie is verder deur die gebrek aan navorsing in hierdie fokusarea versterk. Die doel van die navorsings was om begrip vir die ervarings van derdejaarstudente en die perspektiewe van maatskaplikewerkdosente te ontwikkel oor die rol van AKE’s tydens onderrig- en leeraktiwiteite, en om betekenisvolle onderrigpraktyke aan te beveel. Die fokus van die sewe navorsingsdoelwitte was die inwin van teoretiese perspektiewe, asook die eksplorering en beskrywing van studente se AKE’s binne die konteks van die onderrig en leer van maatskaplike werk. Die navorsingsdoelwitte het die sentrale navorsingsvraag gegenereer: Hoe ervaar derdejaarstudente hul eie afbrekende kindertydse ervarings in maatskaplike werk aan ’n Suid-Afrikaanse universiteit? n Kwalitatiewe benadering en gevallestudiemetode is as geskikte metodes beskou om die studie se doelwitte en sentrale navorsingsvraag te ondersoek. Die gevallestudiemetode is gebruik om na te vors hoe individue (derdejaarstudente in maatskaplike werk aan die Universiteit van Wes-Kaapland) ’n spesifieke fenomeen (in hierdie geval AKE’s) ten opsigte van onderrig en leer binne die konteks van maatskaplike werk ervaar. Om geloofwaardigheid te verleen aan die twee doelwitte van hierdie navorsing, naamlik ’n verkennings ondersoek en beskrywing, is van twee metodes en twee databronne gebruik gemaak: (i) ’n Reflektiewe taak in ’n spesifieke derdejaarmodule in maatskaplike werk waaruit 20 take met behulp van ’n doelbewuste steekproef gekies is; en (ii) individuele onderhoude met tien deelnemende studente (gekies uit die steekproef van take), en twee deelnemende dosente. Drie oorkoepelende onderwerpe het uit die bevindinge na vore gekom, naamlik die AKE’s van studentedeelnemers; die nagevolge van afbrekende kindertydse ervarings binne die konteks van die onderrig en leer van maatskaplike werk; en voorstelle van deelnemers vir onderrig en leer van maatskaplike werk binne die konteks van AKE’s. Elke onderwerp word verder in temas, subtemas en kategorieë weergegee. Die gevolgtrekking is dat oortuigende bewyse bestaan wat toon dat studente ontsaglik AKE’s deurgemaak het; dat studente oorweldigende emosionele reaksies en response ervaar tydens onderrig en leer wat tot indirekte traumatisering lei; en dat daar tekortkominge is in die huidige onderrig- en leermetodes vir maatskaplike werk wat nie genoegsaam aandag gee aan die leerbehoeftes van studente nie. Daar is drie kernaanbevelings rakende onderrig en leer: Om die omvang van professionele leer ten opsigte van die professionele gebruik van die self, selfbewustheid en deugsaamheid in die maatskaplike werk-kurrikulum te ontwikkel; om maatskaplike werk se kenmerkende pedagogie oor onderrig- en leerbenaderings en metodes te rekonstrueer en te herbevestig; en om praktiese plasing en leer tydens plasing met die profiel van ’n student te belyn, terwyl die fokus ook op die oplettendheid en reaksie van die dosent moet wees.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An exploratory and descriptive research design, in combination with quantitative and qualitative research approaches were utilised to elucidate the experiences of newly qualified social workers in NGOs, with regards to occupational stress and the coping strategies employed by these workers in response. The motivation for this study came from a distinct lack of research related to the experience of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers working within NGOs. The goal of this study is thus to gain a better understanding of the experiences of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers practicing in NGOs, as well as elucidating the coping strategies they employ, so as to make recommendations focussing on key areas, where alleviation of occupational stress is vital. The literature study first focussed on the South African NGO, and the newly qualified social worker within the NGO, to provide a contextual basis for the experience of occupational stress by newly qualified social workers. The literature study then explored the range of occupational stressors that might be experienced by newly qualified social workers, to gain a better understanding of the diversity of stressors present within NGOs, and their aetiology. Lastly, the literature study focussed on the variety of coping strategies available to newly qualified social workers, for coping with, and alleviation of occupational stress. The researcher utilises a purposive sample of 20 newly qualified social workers, These workers had practiced for up to 24 months, in the Boland area of the Western Cape. An interview schedule was used as measuring instrument. The result of the investigation confirmed that particular occupational stressors affecting newly qualified social workers Whilst there were a wide spectrum of stressors experienced by newly qualified social workers on an occasional basis, occupational stressors such as very heavy workloads, unsatisfactory remuneration and the multivariate problems of the client population stood out as stressors experienced on a very frequent basis. The second conclusion to be drawn from this study was that personality traits may play less of a role than expected in determining how much newly qualified social workers experience occupational stress. The third conclusion to be drawn from this study was that a wide range of coping strategies were not only available to newly qualified social workers but that a great deal were effective in helping newly qualified social workers to alleviate their occupational stress. Recommendations made by this study pointed to the importance of NGOs as well as government targeting stressors such as heavy workloads and remuneration, with the aim of retaining skilled social workers just entering into the industry. Another recommendation focussed on the fact that newly qualified social workers have to take ownership over their occupational stress, and actively work to alleviate it in a positive manner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerp, sowel as 'n gekombineerde kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is benut om die ervarings van pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers in nie-regeringsorganisasies se werkstres en streshanteringstrategieë te ondersoek. Die studie is gemotiveer deur 'n gebrek aan navorsing oor die ervarings van werksverwante stres by pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers wat by NROs werksaam is. Die doel van die studie was dus om 'n beter begrip vir die ervarings van werksverwante stres by pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers in NROs te ontwikkel, sowel as om die betrokke maatskaplike werkers se streshanteringstrategieë te belig, ten einde aanbevelings te kan maak oor sleutelareas waarop gefokus behoort te word in die verligting van werksverwante stres. Die literatuurstudie fokus op die NRO-sektor in Suid-Afrika en die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker, ten einde 'n kontekstuele grondslag vir die ervarings van die betrokke maatskaplike werkers se stressors te bied. Die literatuurstudie eksploreer voorts die reeks van stressors wat deur die betrokke maatskaplike werkers ervaar kan word, ten einde 'n beter begrip van die diversiteit van stressors en die etiologie van die stressors te ontwikkel. Die studie fokus ook op die verskeidenheid strategieë wat beskikbaar is aan pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers, om hulle werksverwante stres te verminder. Die navorser het 'n doelbeswuste steekproef van 20 pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers benut. Hierdie werkers is almal die afgelope 24 maande werksaam in die Boland area van die Wes-Kaap. 'n Onderhoudskedule is as navorsingsinstrument benut. Die bevindinge van die navorsing bevestig dat die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker wel spesifieke werksverwante stressors beleef. Alhoewel 'n groot verskeidenheid stressors soms aanwesig is, kom werksverwante stressors soos groot werksladings, onbevredigende numerering en die verskeidenheid van die verbruikersisteem se probleme meer algemeen voor. Die tweede bevinding vanuit hierdie studie dui daarop dat persoonlikheidstrekke speel waarskynlik 'n mindere rol as wat verwag word, in die aanwesigheid van stres by die pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werker. Die derde bevinding dui daarop dat 'n groot verskeidenheid stresverligtingstrategieë beskikbaar is om werksverwante stres te verlig en dat hierdie strategieë wel effektief aangewend kan word. Die aanbevelings vanuit hierdie studie wys op die belangrikheid daarvan dat NRO's en die regering stressors soos groot werksladings en numerering verlig, ten einde pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers vir die praktyk te werf. Ander aanbevelings fokus op die feit dat pas gekwalifiseerde maatskaplike werkers eienaarskap van hulle werksverwante stressors moet aanvaar deur aktief hulle werkstres op 'n positiewe wyse te hanteer.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The primary objective of this study is to establish a holistic view of performance managementsystem in the Provincial Government and to assess the extent of implementation and the application of performance management, together with the challenges facing the social work managers in this regard. Furthermore it sought to identify the gaps and key priorities required for effective and efficient performance management processes. The study was preceded by a comprehensive literature study whereby the necessisty and purpose of performance mananagement were identified. Furthermore the valuable aspects and the characteristics of performance management in social work have been described. The persons involved in the performance management system were investigated tot determine the nature and scope of the performance managegement system that are implemented. The importance of the participation of both the supervisor (manager) and the social worker was determined. The report highlights the importance of a process approach and uses it as a lens for understanding performance management system. It indicate the change in focus from performance evalution to performanance management, which focuses less on productivity or the input or physical activities applied in achieving the results or outputs as such, but rather on the extent to which predetermined objectives/goals are effectively and efficiently met through the measurement of outputs/results against agreed-upon performance standards. An empirical study wat undertaken where both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were applied to achieve the objective of the research. The quantitative methods comprised out of a questionnaires purely for and data collection and the qualitative approach entailed the open-ended questions in the questionnaire. It sought to identify the gaps and key priorities required for the implentation of an effective and efficient performance management processes. The report highlights the importance of a developmental approach in applying the performance management system.

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.

I denna studie är syftet att skapa en förståelse kring vad som utmärker socialsekreterarnas eftervårdsarbete med ungdomar placerade på särskilda ungdomshem. Studien använder sig av semistrukturerade intervjuer som datasamlingsmetod där socialsekreterarna delat med sig av sina erfarenheter och kunskaper. Utifrån intervjuerna har det i analysen gått att urskilja tre teman som beskriver vad som utmärker socialsekreterares eftervårdsarbete. Dessa teman är: Bibehålla ungdomarnas utveckling, Motstånd i eftervården och Förväntningar på ungdomarnas framtid. De olika insatserna som socialsekreterarna lämnar samt de framgångar och motgångar de har erfarenheter av i eftervården har tolkats utifrån resilience och gräsrotsbyråkrati. Med stöd av dessa teoretiska utgångspunkter framkommer områdena boende, sysselsättning, behandling och socialt nätverk, som socialsekreterarna anser främjar ungdomarnas chans att klara sig efter avslutad placering. I studien framkommer även att socialsekreterarna upplever motstånd från ungdomarna och på vilket sätt de bemöter detta. Studien belyser även att socialsekreterarna arbetar med att integrera ungdomarna i det övriga samhället och vilka förväntningar de uppfattar de kan ställa på dessa ungdomar. / In this study the aim is to create an understanding of what characterizes social workers measures in leaving care for young people in secure units. The study uses semi-structured interviews as a qualitative data collection method where social workers shared their experiences of working with leaving care for young people in secure units. Based on the interviews, our analysis found three themes that describe what characterize social workers’ work. The themes are: Maintain young people’s achievements, Resistance in leaving care and Expectations for young people’s future. What kind of measures the social workers provided along with what they experienced benefited or hindered their work has been analyzed on the basis of resilience and street-level bureaucracy. With the support of these theoretical perspectives housing, employment, treatment and social network was found to be a part of the social workers’ measures to promote young people’s chances for an independent living. It was also found that social workers experiences resistance from young people and how they worked with these setbacks. The study also highlights how the social workers’ strived to integrate young people back into society.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work