While social welfare policy forms a cornerstone of the social work profession, economic policy and its interactions often remain distant and of academic interest only. In this paper the authors argue that understanding how economic policy is impacting upon the profession is important for its day-to-day practice. This has become ever more apparent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affirmed social work as an essential service. In particular, the authors argue that the global impact of neoliberal economics on the day-to-day practices of social workers is fourfold in terms of the marketisation, consumerisation, managerialisation and deprofessionalisation of social work.
{"title":"THE FOURFOLD NEOLIBERAL IMPACT ON SOCIAL WORK AND WHY THIS MATTERS IN TIMES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND BEYOND","authors":"A. Ornellas, L. Engelbrecht, Elvan Atamtürk","doi":"10.15270/56-4-854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-4-854","url":null,"abstract":"While social welfare policy forms a cornerstone of the social work profession, economic policy and its interactions often remain distant and of academic interest only. In this paper the authors argue that understanding how economic policy is impacting upon the profession is important for its day-to-day practice. This has become ever more apparent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affirmed social work as an essential service. In particular, the authors argue that the global impact of neoliberal economics on the day-to-day practices of social workers is fourfold in terms of the marketisation, consumerisation, managerialisation and deprofessionalisation of social work.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49516382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The adoption of the social development approach in South African social service organisations continues to challenge and stretch organisations in many directions. The frontline social worker navigating this terrain, carrying the bulk of direct services and undertaking various management tasks, is confronted with personal trauma, resource constraints, organisational issues, ethical dilemmas as well as the pressure of inclusive and representative service delivery. An exploratory descriptive qualitative empirical study using a case study research design was undertaken with the main aim being to explore and describe the management tasks of frontline social workers in the NPO sector in Port Elizabeth. Semi-structured individual interviews were held with frontline social workers and one focus group was held with middle managers. The study's findings revealed the aspects contributing towards undertaking management tasks, the experiences of executing management tasks and the consequences of doing so. This paper presents the management strategies utilised by frontline social workers.
{"title":"“IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MANY (CASES) YOU GOT, IF YOU LOVE THE JOB, YOU CAN MANAGE EVERYTHING”: MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES UTILISED BY FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKERS","authors":"N. Perumal, P. Tanga","doi":"10.15270/56-4-855","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-4-855","url":null,"abstract":"The adoption of the social development approach in South African social service organisations continues to challenge and stretch organisations in many directions. The frontline social worker navigating this terrain, carrying the bulk of direct services and undertaking various management tasks, is confronted with personal trauma, resource constraints, organisational issues, ethical dilemmas as well as the pressure of inclusive and representative service delivery. An exploratory descriptive qualitative empirical study using a case study research design was undertaken with the main aim being to explore and describe the management tasks of frontline social workers in the NPO sector in Port Elizabeth. Semi-structured individual interviews were held with frontline social workers and one focus group was held with middle managers. The study's findings revealed the aspects contributing towards undertaking management tasks, the experiences of executing management tasks and the consequences of doing so. This paper presents the management strategies utilised by frontline social workers.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41380620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The experiences of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Zimbabwe find expression in the maxim that says ‘Where two elephants fight, the grass suffers the most’. Orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe have been the casualties of disharmony between traditional and contemporary leadership philosophies for more than three decades. Using a phenomenological approach, the study involved 20 key informants, who included community leaders and OVC caregivers. Underpinned by the traditional leadership perspectives, the study examined the role of traditional leaders in supporting OVC for the purposes of integrating its relevant compatible elements with modern OVC care and support systems. The study showed that there is lack of synchronicity between traditional and contemporary OVC care and support systems, which ultimately compromises the effectiveness of the social care professions in rural communities in Zimbabwe. The study recommends the establishment of an integrated contextually-based OVC care and support model to enhance the relationship between traditional and contemporary leadership in Zimbabwe.
{"title":"THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN ZIMBABWE: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE","authors":"John Ringson","doi":"10.15270/56-2-821","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-2-821","url":null,"abstract":"The experiences of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Zimbabwe find expression in the maxim that says ‘Where two elephants fight, the grass suffers the most’. Orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe have been the casualties of disharmony between traditional and contemporary leadership philosophies for more than three decades. Using a phenomenological approach, the study involved 20 key informants, who included community leaders and OVC caregivers. Underpinned by the traditional leadership perspectives, the study examined the role of traditional leaders in supporting OVC for the purposes of integrating its relevant compatible elements with modern OVC care and support systems. The study showed that there is lack of synchronicity between traditional and contemporary OVC care and support systems, which ultimately compromises the effectiveness of the social care professions in rural communities in Zimbabwe. The study recommends the establishment of an integrated contextually-based OVC care and support model to enhance the relationship between traditional and contemporary leadership in Zimbabwe.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"208"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48690879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The high turnover of social workers in the non-profit organisations (NPOs) sector in South Africa is a major problem that requires further investigation despite the number of studies that have already been conducted in this area. This qualitative study seeks to contribute to the retention of social workers in the NPO sector, and is based on an exploratory survey of the various factors that lead to high social worker turnover. The findings of this paper confirm that NPOs are faced with several challenges in relation to the retention of social workers, and this calls for revisiting the existing retention strategy.
{"title":"THE DILEMMA FACED BY NPOS IN RETAINING SOCIAL WORKERS: A CALL TO REVISIT THE RETENTION STRATEGY","authors":"R. Skhosana","doi":"10.15270/56-2-815","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-2-815","url":null,"abstract":"The high turnover of social workers in the non-profit organisations (NPOs) sector in South Africa is a major problem that requires further investigation despite the number of studies that have already been conducted in this area. This qualitative study seeks to contribute to the retention of social workers in the NPO sector, and is based on an exploratory survey of the various factors that lead to high social worker turnover. The findings of this paper confirm that NPOs are faced with several challenges in relation to the retention of social workers, and this calls for revisiting the existing retention strategy.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49364823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Girl marriage is a global problem which is also prevalent in South Africa. It imposes on the rights of children and is recognised as a harmful practice (United Nations, 2015). This paper reports on a case study with social workers of the Families and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA) in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The study concludes that the developmental approach presents a framework for social workers to curb girl marriages. Resources, coordination among stakeholders, monitoring of programmes, interventions and policies are required to curb girl marriage. A rights-based policy and enforcement and monitoring of existing policies that protect children are key to ending the practice of girl marriage.
{"title":"THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN CURBING GIRL MARRIAGES: A FAMSA CASE STUDY","authors":"Thapelo Adua Salim, A. Lombard","doi":"10.15270/56-2-820","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-2-820","url":null,"abstract":"Girl marriage is a global problem which is also prevalent in South Africa. It imposes on the rights of children and is recognised as a harmful practice (United Nations, 2015). This paper reports on a case study with social workers of the Families and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA) in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The study concludes that the developmental approach presents a framework for social workers to curb girl marriages. Resources, coordination among stakeholders, monitoring of programmes, interventions and policies are required to curb girl marriage. A rights-based policy and enforcement and monitoring of existing policies that protect children are key to ending the practice of girl marriage.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"190"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44314391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The ecological systems theory and the buffering effect model both suggest that the absence of a multi-systemic conceptualisation of supporting parents of children in conflict with the law (CCL) diminishes the impact of traditional generic efforts to meaningfully buffer parents of CCL during the child justice process. This participatory qualitative study involved parents of CCL and child justice officials as co-constructors of a practice model for supporting parents of CCL. The co-constructed practice model shows that parents must have access to informational, emotional, practical and professional support prior to, during and after the child justice process..
{"title":"A CO-CONSTRUCTED PRACTICE MODEL FOR SUPPORTING PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW","authors":"Zurina Abdulla, B. Pretorius, V. Goliath","doi":"10.15270/56-1-788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-1-788","url":null,"abstract":"The ecological systems theory and the buffering effect model both suggest that the absence of a multi-systemic conceptualisation of supporting parents of children in conflict with the law (CCL) diminishes the impact of traditional generic efforts to meaningfully buffer parents of CCL during the child justice process. This participatory qualitative study involved parents of CCL and child justice officials as co-constructors of a practice model for supporting parents of CCL. The co-constructed practice model shows that parents must have access to informational, emotional, practical and professional support prior to, during and after the child justice process..","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"33-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47783529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The abuse of nyaope as a recent drug added to the market continues to increase at an alarming rate. This drug is causing devastation in previously designated Black townships. The negative consequences of this phenomenon affect users and their parents. This qualitative study looked at the experiences and support needs of parents of nyaope users. Eight parents of nyaope users were interviewed using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was used to choose participants. The findings indicate that parents of nyaope users are overwhelmed and cry out for professional help. This study recommends that therapeutic interventions be extended to parents of nyaope users.
{"title":"OUTCRY AND CALL FOR RELIEF: EXPERIENCES AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF PARENTS WITH NYAOPE USERS","authors":"Jan Masombuka, Lulama Qalinge","doi":"10.15270/56-1-789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-1-789","url":null,"abstract":"The abuse of nyaope as a recent drug added to the market continues to increase at an alarming rate. This drug is causing devastation in previously designated Black townships. The negative consequences of this phenomenon affect users and their parents. This qualitative study looked at the experiences and support needs of parents of nyaope users. Eight parents of nyaope users were interviewed using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was used to choose participants. The findings indicate that parents of nyaope users are overwhelmed and cry out for professional help. This study recommends that therapeutic interventions be extended to parents of nyaope users.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"51-62"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46509692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trafficking of women for domestic and sexual exploitation has devastating consequences for women survivors rescued in South Africa. Empirical findings revealed that women survivors of human trafficking (WSHT) suffer and endure intense and unspeakable traumatic physical, sexual, psychological, economic and social experiences. Trafficked women are denied fundamental human rights, including basic and broadly accepted individual freedoms. The article discusses a qualitative research study designed to explore the perceptions of women survivors concerning the consequences experienced by WSHT using one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted in residential shelters for women in Gauteng province, South Africa. Recommendations are suggested regarding support for WSHT.
{"title":"CONSEQUENCES EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SOUTH AFRICA","authors":"Juliet Patience Sambo, G. M. Spies","doi":"10.15270/56-1-791","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/56-1-791","url":null,"abstract":"Trafficking of women for domestic and sexual exploitation has devastating consequences for women survivors rescued in South Africa. Empirical findings revealed that women survivors of human trafficking (WSHT) suffer and endure intense and unspeakable traumatic physical, sexual, psychological, economic and social experiences. Trafficked women are denied fundamental human rights, including basic and broadly accepted individual freedoms. The article discusses a qualitative research study designed to explore the perceptions of women survivors concerning the consequences experienced by WSHT using one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted in residential shelters for women in Gauteng province, South Africa. Recommendations are suggested regarding support for WSHT.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"56 1","pages":"78-87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2020-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41393576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The aim of this study was to describe the cultural attitude of Batswana people towards adoption. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and is descriptive in nature. It followed a quantitative approach and reached 83 respondents representative of designated organisations rendering services to adoptive parents in Ikageng, Potchefstroom. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used. D emographical information was included to test the construct validity on different variables, namely the birthparent, adoptive parent and the adopted child. The findings of the study indicated that the Batswana community have a positive attitude towards adoption
{"title":"Cultural specific attitudes of Batswana people towards adoption","authors":"Katlego Millicent Petunia Ratshidi","doi":"10.15270/55-2-714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/55-2-714","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was to describe the cultural attitude of Batswana people towards adoption. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and is descriptive in nature. It followed a quantitative approach and reached 83 respondents representative of designated organisations rendering services to adoptive parents in Ikageng, Potchefstroom. A questionnaire containing closed-ended questions was used. D emographical information was included to test the construct validity on different variables, namely the birthparent, adoptive parent and the adopted child. The findings of the study indicated that the Batswana community have a positive attitude towards adoption","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"55 1","pages":"176"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2019-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46022158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nyaope is a relatively new drug on the South African market and mostly (mis)used by youths. Without targeted intervention, this drug could negatively affect the wellbeing of the people involved. Aftercare and reintegration services are often downplayed, with little emphasis in both research and practice. This article reports on the aftercare needs of nyaope users from both the users’ and the significant others’ points of view in Hammanskraal (a South African township). A collective case study was implemented through semi-structured interviews with both nyaope users and significant others. Recommendations are offered to role players involved in aftercare and reintegration services.
{"title":"THE AFTERCARE NEEDS OF NYAOPE USERS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR AFTERCARE AND REINTEGRATION SERVICES","authors":"Sonto Mahlangu, Stephan Geyer","doi":"10.15270/54-3-652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15270/54-3-652","url":null,"abstract":"Nyaope is a relatively new drug on the South African market and mostly (mis)used by youths. Without targeted intervention, this drug could negatively affect the wellbeing of the people involved. Aftercare and reintegration services are often downplayed, with little emphasis in both research and practice. This article reports on the aftercare needs of nyaope users from both the users’ and the significant others’ points of view in Hammanskraal (a South African township). A collective case study was implemented through semi-structured interviews with both nyaope users and significant others. Recommendations are offered to role players involved in aftercare and reintegration services.","PeriodicalId":44671,"journal":{"name":"Social Work-Maatskaplike Werk","volume":"54 1","pages":"327"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2018-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41936394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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