The South African statistics for child abuse, neglect, and death is extreme by international measures (UNICEF, 2016). Concurrently, skilled Social Workers are in demand in South Africa but subject to complex social dynamics while working under immense pressure (DHET, 2018; Calitz, Roux, & Strydom, 2014). The purpose of this study was to explore Statutory Social Workers’ perceptions and experiences of their Child Protection Work. The objectives of this study was to gain insight into the role, responsibilities and experiences of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers in order to identify their perceived challenges and rewards within the profession and to make recommendations to improve Statutory Child Protection Work. The study used a qualitative research design. A purposive non-probability sampling method was used to select the 19 respondents in this study. All respondents were Statutory Child Protection Social Workers from Government and Non-Government Child Protection organisations. The data was collected using a semi-structured interview schedule to conduct one-on-one interviews. The interviews were analysed using Tesch’s (2013) approach and NVIVO 12 data analysis software. Overall, the study found that while respondents experience challenges in their profession, there are rewarding aspects in Social Work that motivate them to continue in the work. More specifically, the study has found that the main responsibilities and roles of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers are embedded in the context of Statutory Social Work. In this context, Social Workers’ Child protection interventions are mandated by Social Work and Child Protection legislation to respond to social problems. Main social issues reported by respondents are poor parenting, substance misuse, gangsterism, domestic violence, school dropouts, unemployment, and teen pregnancies. The study revealed the importance of effective collaborative work with the stakeholders of Child Protection Work. Most respondents reported that collaborative work in Child Protection Work can be more effective when there are clearly defined roles and responsibilities and good working relationships between collaborators. The study found that there are both extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of the work that are perceived as challenging and rewarding for respondents. The most challenging extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are poor working conditions, namely: concern for safety, lack of resources to do the work, high caseloads and dissatisfaction with the salary. The most challenging intrinsic experiences perceived by respondents are lack of recognition received from collaborators, the public and government. The most rewarding extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are; support received at work and good working relationships and support received from colleagues. Intrinsic aspects experienced as most rewarding by respondents are; achievements at work, recognition received for their work, motivation to do SW and remaining in SW, and experiencing a sense of personal and professional growth in their work. Based on the results of the study, recommendations can be made to inform Social Work Practice (workers and employers), Social Work Education and Training, Government, and future Social Work research. The study found that self-care is an important coping mechanism for the respondents to manage emotional exhaustion and the challenges of the work. Respondents’ recommendations to employers include their plea for better resources, effective supervision, support and acknowledgement. Recommendations that respondents had for improvement of statutory child protection service delivery is; improved working relationships with collaborators and clarification of roles and responsibilities of collaborators, and a need for forums and networking. Recommendations that respondents had for Social Work education and training institutions included better preparation for the work while studying at university. The main recommendations that respondents echoed to government are justice for victims of abuse and neglect, better working conditions for Statutory Child Protection Social Workers and the inclusion of Social Workers’ voices when Child Protection policy and legislation is developed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/31312 |
| Date | 25 February 2020 |
| Creators | Atkins, Georgina |
| Contributors | Bruyns, Cindee |
| Publisher | Faculty of Humanities, Department of Social Development |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Master Thesis, Masters, MSS |
| Format | application/pdf |
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