Social Work / Maatskaplike Werk (E-Journal)
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A PSYCHO-SOCIAL THERAPEUTIC GROUP WORK PROGRAMME PREVENTING THE ONSET OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG POLICE OFFICIALS ATTACHED TO THE SPECIALISED UNITS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
Get PDFThis article focuses on the development of a psycho-social therapeutic programme (PTP) for police officials attached to the specialised units in the North West province. The objective is to prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder and the development of trauma-related stress symptoms soon after exposure to a traumatic event. The main focus of this article is on the themes and contents of the designed PTP. The themes of the programme are schematically presented, after which it is discussed in detail according to the subject, aim and conten
PERCEPTIONS OF ADOLESCENTS PERINATALLY INFECTED WITH HIV REGARDING THE SELF-DISCLOSURE OF THEIR STATUS
Get PDFMost children born with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are now maturing into adolescence. From an ecological systems perspective, this qualitative study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of adolescents who were perinatally infected with HIV (ApHIV) regarding the self-disclosure of their status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 ApHIVs and interpreted using thematic analysis. The findings of the study link participants’ perceptions to societal attitudes towards HIV and to adolescent developmental factors, which contribute to decisions either to self-disclose or not to self-disclose their status. Recommendations are suggested regarding support for ApHIV
THE REHABILITATION OF INCARCERATED CHILD OFFENDERS: CHALLENGES FACED BY SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS IN ZAMBIA
Get PDFA large number of children worldwide are detained. Social workers are rendering services to these children with the aim of rehabilitating them and reducing recidivism. This study aimed to identify the challenges experienced by social welfare officers in the rehabilitation of child offenders in Zambia. It seemed most of the challenges were experienced because of a lack of resources relating to people power, capacity building, trained social workers and facilities. For Zambia to curb the challenges experienced, the custodians of the child justice programmes should strengthen their resources
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS OF UNMARRIED FATHERS: COURT DECISIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS
Get PDFThe Children's Act 38 of 2005 provides for acquisition of parental responsibilities and rights by unmarried fathers. It also allows for suspension, restriction or termination of these responsibilities and rights. Social workers are sometimes expected to make recommendations to courts, but the Act offers little guidance on processes and situations in which suspension or restriction, as opposed to termination, should be preferred in the best interests of children. Based on some South African and foreign court judgements in which these aspects have been considered and illuminated, this article analyses the implications for social workers.
THE GRIEF AND TRAUMA PROJECT: A GROUP WORK APPROACH TO RESTORING EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH TO WOMEN IN BEREAVED AND TRAUMATISED INDIGENT COMMUNITIES IN THE WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Get PDFThe extreme levels of grief and trauma experienced in resource-poor communities in South Africa are well documented. The concept of grief or trauma being experienced and managed as an isolated incident and access to psychological therapeutic support being available is assumed in much of Western literature. This study describes a response to the multiple grief and loss experiences of indigent South African communities, its continual nature and the paucity of help available. A group work approach to providing psychosocial and spiritual support was developed and implemented. Improved mental health, physical health and interpersonal relationship outcomes are described
THE UTILISATION OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT BY CAREGIVERS: THE CASE OF BA-PHALABORWA MUNICIPALITY IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE
Get PDFThe Child Support Grant (CSG) represents a major policy response to child poverty in South Africa. Based on qualitative research, the article explored how caregivers in Ba-Phalaborwa sub-district in the Limpopo province utilise the CSG. The findings revealed that the CSG is mostly utilised to buy food, clothes and school necessities for children. There were perceptions, though, that some recipients did not utilise the grant in the best interest of children. It is recommended that the Department of Social Development should monitor closely the utilisation of the grant to ensure that beneficiaries use the grant in the best interest of the children
“THE MAN CAN USE THAT POWER”, “SHE GOT COURAGE” AND “INIMBA”: DISCURSIVE RESOURCES IN COUNSELLORS’ TALK OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Get PDFGiven the high rate of intimate partner violence (IPV), understanding how counsellors talk about IPV and their interventions is important. The authors conducted narrative interviews with eight counsellors from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with IPV. Using narrative-discursive methodology, this qualitative study paid attention to the discursive resources that the participants drew upon. Two broad clusters of discursive resources and one contradictory (‘nurturing femininity’) discourse emerged. The first cluster engenders a sense of helplessness in the face of overwhelming power relations; the second enables the counsellors to foresee positive outcomes for their counselling. Implications for counselling include emphasising enabling discourses, highlighting multiplicities of gender, and wider-scale interventions
HOMELESS IN OBSERVATORY, CAPE TOWN THROUGH THE LENS OF MAX-NEEF'S FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN NEEDS TAXONOMY
Get PDFThe level of homelessness on the streets of South Africa is regarded as a slow-moving tragedy. The aim of this article is to explain the profile of the homeless in Observatory, Cape Town using Max-Neef’s Fundamental Human Needs taxonomy. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was implemented including 48 homeless persons living on the streets in Observatory. The quantitative data were analysed with SPSS and the qualitative data with Creswell’s guideline for thematic analysis. The results clearly show the complexity of the lives of the homeless and that assistance to move out of homelessness will require complex and holistic efforts
Editorial
Get PDFThis issue of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk attests to a lively, wide-ranging academic scene, with topics taking stock of challenges related to social work education and experiences of vulnerable women, children and families
SOUTH AFRICAN CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES: CHANGING TIMES OR BUSINESS AS USUAL?
Get PDFSouth African welfare policy is influenced by global economic trends and has some indicators of neoliberal policy implementation. This paper discusses the indicators of neoliberalism before exploring the implications for child and family welfare services in post-apartheid South Africa, in relation to three key themes: the financing of welfare, structures and organisations, and the managing of clients. It is argued that the influence of neoliberalism has changed the way that child and welfare services are managed and services delivered, and that these influences should be debated within the profession and with civil society