Submitted in fulfillment / partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Social Work (Welfare Policy and Social Development) in the Graduate Program in. Probability sampling was used to ensure representativeness and that all members of the identified population have an equal chance of being selected.
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
This suggests that there is a need for a professional knowledge base for working with kinship placements and that development is needed in policy, practice and research. Their views on quality care in kinship foster care, including factors to consider in the selection and evaluation of kinship foster care placements and opinions on how kinship and nonkinship foster care differ, contribute to the development of standards and measures for the assessment of kinship foster care.
PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY
CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
Sixty-eight percent of the houses have running water, either inside the house or in the yard, while the rest have access to communal taps in the neighborhood.
VALUE OF THE STUDY
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
ASSUMPTIONS
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
The centrality of this developing interaction between people and environment is captured in Bronfenbrenner's characterization of human development as "the progressive, mutual accommodation between an active, growing person and the changing characteristics of the immediate environments in which the developing person lives, as this process are influenced by relationships between these environments, and by the larger context in which the institutions are embedded" (Whittaker; . Schinke and Gilchrist, 1986). The final level of influence, which consists of the cultural and social environments in which all other systems embedded is known as the macro-system (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; Garbarino 1990).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
CONCLUSION
OUTLINE OF THE STUDY
The second chapter looks at what kinship care is, the characteristics of kinship carers, the advantages and disadvantages of kinship care and South African politics and social services in South Africa. Chapter four presents data analysis and discussion, while chapter five presents conclusions and recommendations.
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS KINSHIP FOSTER CARE?
The South African Social Workers' Manual of the Department of Welfare (Information guide for social workers on the practical application of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983, as amended and regulations; 1998) defined foster care as the placement of a child by an order of the Children's Court, under custody of a suitable family or person willing to act as foster parents for the child. According to the South African Law Reform Commission, UNICEF (2004), children who require formal protection services and are placed in the care of relatives by court order should qualify for a subsidy such as normal care allowance, with an additional subsidy if the child has special needs. .
CHARACTERISTICS OF KINSHIP CARE-GIVERS
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF KINSHIP CARE
- CHILD SAFETY
- PHYSICAL SAFETY OF THE HOME
- NEIGHBOURHOOD
- MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE
- EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
- MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT
- DEVELOPMENTAL FACTORS
The authors found that children in family care have significant problems such as reduced visual acuity and hearing, poor growth, obesity, dental caries (tooth decay) and asthma. Another study was conducted by Sawyer and Dubowitz (1994). They were quoted by Shlonsky and Berrick (2001:69) and stated that children in family care apparently have problems similar to those of children in unrelated foster care.
FOSTER CARE IN SOUTH AFRICA
- SOUTH AFRICAN POLICY
- SOCIAL SERVICES IN SOUTH AFRICA
- SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES DELIVERY TO CHILDREN
- SOCIAL SECURITY PROVISIONING FOR CHILDREN IN SOUTH
All these factors are essential for the healthy development of the family and of any society. The Department of Social Development (2002:11) emphasized that "the best interests of the child must be the deciding factor in all decisions regarding the care of any child". The White Paper (1997) provides some very broad guidelines for the delivery of social welfare services to each of the groups of vulnerable children identified, including children in out-of-home care.
CONCLUSION
In addition, there are many poor children between the ages of 0 and 18 whose caregivers do not pass the means test. The means test does not take into account the number of people living off the income or the extra vulnerabilities the family faces, such as HIV/AIDS.
INTRODUCTION
RESEARCH DESIGN
SAMPLING
DATA COLLECTION METHOD
Struwig and Stead (2001) pointed out that the physical presence of the interviewer, especially in the case of home interviews, tends to have a positive effect on the accuracy of the data obtained. The questionnaire was a modified version of one developed by the Child and Family Research Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1999). The questionnaire was pre-tested with three respondents to check the wording of the questions, the order of the questions, whether or not there were redundant questions or missing or confusing questions (Strydom, in de Vos, 2002).
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
There was space in the questionnaire for comments so that the researcher could record observations or additional comments from the respondent. The questionnaire used in this study was developed in the United States of America. The literature review and the selected constructs for measuring the quality of care were assessed at three points by experts in the field.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
They pointed out that researchers often ignore reliability and validity issues related to instrumentation in their research experience. For example, instruments from other countries are sometimes used in the South African context, regardless of whether they can be used appropriately in this context or not. The items selected for these instruments and the instruments themselves have been tested in various ways. In assessing the suitability of this questionnaire for the local context, three foster care social workers examined it and considered that it contained questions that were relevant and appropriate.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The respondents are the researcher's clients and may feel the need to tell the researcher what they think she wants to hear, thus jeopardizing the validity of the study. The researcher assured them that the results would help the welfare authorities do a better job of helping families.
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
PROFILE OF THE CAREGIVER
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILD
What is worrying is that the respondents are in the old age phase and need to be cared for by their children. Respondents felt it was their responsibility to take care of their children's children because there was no one else who could take good care of them. Grandparents are increasingly raising the offspring of their own children at a time in their lives when they would normally have expected support from their children (McKerrow 1994:8).
EXTRA SOURCE OF INCOME
Mhlongo (2004:6, cited by Mabutho and Alpaslan, is of the opinion that a lack or limited finances on the part of the grandparents causes the orphans in their care to view care negatively and states: "Looking at their expenses" .the results were satisfactory because all respondents were able to pay for their running water and electricity; they had no financial problems that affected their ability to care for the children and they had been able to pay for all the children needed Some respondents indicated that they receive basic services for free, especially those living in the township.
PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FAMILY
- SHELTER
- FOOD
- CLOTHING
- HEALTH
- SAFETY AND SECURITY
All respondents indicated that children have access to health facilities when the need arises. Three percent of the respondents indicated that they had received the prescribed medicine at the outpatient clinic. Fifty percent of the respondents indicated that they had problems with drugs on the street.
PSYCHO-SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN
- ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS IN FAMILY
- DISCIPLINE
- EDUCATION AND SCHOOL
- RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Ninety-seven percent of them indicated that they have a relative or friend who can help take care of the child. Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated that they let the child decide what activity they wanted to do for fun, such as going to a movie or a soccer game or playing a game together. Respondents had indicated that they trust the area as a safe area, but should be aware of the child's movements due to the use and availability of drugs in the area.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE CARE GIVERS
ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE IN THE HOME
Because they did not use drugs or alcohol, they had not had any problems as a result of their drinking, such as missing work, missing appointments or getting into fights. Seven percent of respondents indicate that they have never had anyone drinking in their home, nor have they caused any problems because they had been drinking. Ninety-seven percent of respondents reported receiving medications prescribed by their doctor.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE FOR KINSHIP CARERS
- SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST KINSHIP CARERS
- EXTENDED FAMILY SUPPORT
- HEALTH SYSTEM
- DEPARTMENT OF WELFARE/WELFARE AGENCY
Seventy-seven percent of respondents never needed health care or other services for more than 12 months. Fifty-three percent of respondents had questions about the plans of the child. The respondents indicated that other members of the family welcomed the child into the family.
CONCLUSION AND ECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH PROCESS
It provided a framework for understanding the individual, family, community and societal contexts in which kinship caregivers operate. It is clear that this study has achieved its objectives of providing a deeper understanding of the physical and material conditions of kinship caregiver families within the Nseleni community.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS IN TERMS OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF
- MATERIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
- PSYCHO-SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN
- PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THE CARERS
- SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Most respondents reported no contact or help from the child's father. Respondents indicated that the child's location is being monitored and the child's friends are known to the family. Most of the respondents indicated that they have relatives who live with them in the yard.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- POLICY DEVELOPMENT
- THE FUTURE OF FOSTER CARE
- COMMUNITY INITIATIVES FOR ORPHAN CARE
- OTHER INFORMAL ALTERNATIVES
- WELFARE INTERVENTIONS ON KINSHIP CARE
- RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
The Ministry of Social Development (2003: 5) describes these spontaneous crisis responses as 'the most effective, affordable and least visible program available to help children and adults infected and affected by HIV/AIDS'. The present author fully supports the idea of considering the strengths and experiences of kinship caregivers in intervention processes. In addition, data were collected from only one client (caregiver) in kinship care.
CONCLUSION
The general population should support them and the children and meet the specific needs of kinship care. Social Welfare White Paper: Proposed policies and programs for social development welfare in South Africa. The Children and Family Research Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1999). www.childlinesa.org.za/what's New Children's Billprogressupdate.htm) September 25, 2007.
South Africa, in Global perspectives on foster care; a comparative international analysis of foster care family systems, edited by M Williams and M. The application of Childcare policy and legislation to black families and children in South Africa.
When you have tried to contact the caseworker or someone else at the agency when you needed help or wanted information, was someone available to talk to you?
