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Kinders wat in residensiële sorg geplaas word, is ernstig getraumatiseerd. Die implikasie hiervan is dat dit 'n direkte invloed op die psigososiale welstand van die kinder- en jeugsorgwerkers het wat daagliks met die kwesbare kinders werk - dit beïnvloed hoe hulle hul daaglikse take verrig en kan selfs tot emosionele uitbranding lei. Die doel van die studie was om kwantitatief die verband tussen supervisie en die psigososiale welstand van kinder- en jeugsorgwerkers te ondersoek. Sewe-en-sewentig kinder-en-jeugsorg werkers (KSW) is met doelgerigte steekproefneming by die studie betrek. Drie vraelyste is gebruik om data in te samel. Die IBM SPSS-weergawe 25 sagteware is gebruik om die data te ananliseer. In sommige gevalle was daar 'n klein effek grootte, tog blyk dit dat etnisiteit, geslag, huwelikstatus en inkomste 'n invloed op die psigososiale welstand van KJW het. Die studie toon ook 'n verband tussen die KJW wat supervisie ontvang en diegene wat nie supervisie ontvang het nie. Children who are placed in residential care have been severely traumatised, and the implication is that it has a direct impact on the psychosocial well-being of the child and youth care workers who work with the vulnerable children daily. How the care workers perform their daily tasks are impacted upon and can even lead to emotional burnout. The aim of the study was to quantitatively investigate the relationship between supervision and the psychosocial well-being of child and youth care workers. Seventy-seven child and youth care workers (CYCW) were purposefully sampled for this study. Three questionnaires were used to collect data. The IBM SPSS version 25 software was used to analyze the data. In some cases, there was a small effect size, yet it seems that ethnicity, gender, marital status, and income influence the psychosocial well-being of CYCW. The study also shows a connection between CYCW who received supervision and those who did not receive supervision.

According to Lerole (1994:9), practitioners in the health care and social services find themselves in the frontline regarding their attempt to prevent the spread of HIV as well as deal with its consequences. Having well-trained, knowledgeable and highly motivated professionals working in service delivery at all levels is crucial for effective management of the HIV epidemic. HIV and Aids present a significant problem at both societal and professional levels for social workers. Individuals who are affected by HIV or Aids have needs that may require a multitude of services including counselling, social services (Wexler, 1989), advocacy, community outreach and case management (Wiener & Siegel, 1990). At a broader level, there is a need for preventive programming, education and policy making. Social work has a significant role to fulfil in meeting the needs of individuals affected by HIV or Aids. The skills social workers perform in integrating people with larger systems, their focus on context and environment evolving from work with historically marginalised groups, and their commitment to human rights and fairness are critical in addressing the issues surrounding HIV and Aids. The overall aim of this research was to determine whether the evaluated Resilient Educators (REds) support programme can be adapted to become an effective empowerment programme for social work students in supporting people infected with and affected by the HIV and Aids pandemic. Attention was given to the following aims of the study as discussed in each chapter. Chapter 1 contains the problem statement, research objectives and a discussion on the strengths perspective as well as the procedures followed. Furthermore, the limitations of this study were discussed, the definitions of key words were given and an exposition of the composition of the research report was also given. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the research methodology and includes a discussion of the intervention research model applied. The concurrent embedded strategy was used in this study and was implemented with a mixed method design model. The single system design and interviewing procedures were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. In Chapter 3 the nature and content of the REds programme for educators are discussed. REds was conceptualised as a potentially supportive, participatory group intervention for educators affected by the HIV and Aids pandemic to ensure educators excellence and sustainability. Group work as a research process was simultaneously offered, enabling intervention or leading to positive social change. An overview of the REds programme was provided by stating the aim of each session and documenting the process of each session as it occurred. This chapter provided a background for the next chapter that reported on the effectiveness of the REds programme. Chapter 4 reports on the effectiveness of REds. REds was presented to affected educators from two schools in the Matlosana district in the North West Province. The results of this study are based on a comparison of pre-test data and post-test data within both the qualitative and quantitative paradigm. The quantitative data was gained by using the Professional Quality of Life Screening questionnaire (Stamm, 2005). The qualitative data was gathered by way of in-depth interviewing where symbolic drawings, open-ended questions and participants' comments on each session, were integrated. The REds programme was evaluated as being successful for this group. However, a need for services from other health care professionals, such as nurses or social workers, was established. Chapter 5 focuses on the role of the social worker in providing empowerment to those infected with and affected by HIV and Aids and a literature study was conducted on the role of the social worker within an HIV and Aids reality. Chapter 6 focused on the development of an empowerment programme for fourth-year social work students regarding HIV and Aids, adapted from the REds programme. The HIV and Aids empowerment programme was developed to educate the social work student with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that they are well-trained to deliver an effective service to those people infected with and affected by HIV and Aids, when they enter the social work practice. The programme consists of a detailed workbook designed as a practical toolkit to address the issue of HIV and Aids through the use of multi-media training methods. Chapter 7 evaluated the effectiveness of an empowerment programme regarding HIV and Aids -the adapted REds programme. Eleven fourth-year social work students at the Department of Social Work, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, participated in this research. Pre-and post-assessment were done and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. However, the main focus in this study was on the qualitative data. The efficacy of the empowerment programme was evaluated, and implications for future educational preparation for students to work effectively in their roles as social workers regarding HIV and Aids were discussed. Chapter 8 provided a summary of the findings and conclusions of the research report, and some recommendations were made. Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010. According to Lerole (1994:9), practitioners in the health care and social services find themselves in the frontline regarding their attempt to prevent the spread of HIV as well as deal with its consequences. Having well-trained, knowledgeable and highly motivated professionals working in service delivery at all levels is crucial for effective management of the HIV epidemic. HIV and Aids present a significant problem at both societal and professional levels for social workers. Individuals who are affected by HIV or Aids have needs that may require a multitude of services including counselling, social services (Wexler, 1989), advocacy, community outreach and case management (Wiener & Siegel, 1990). At a broader level, there is a need for preventive programming, education and policy making. Social work has a significant role to fulfil in meeting the needs of individuals affected by HIV or Aids. The skills social workers perform in integrating people with larger systems, their focus on context and environment evolving from work with historically marginalised groups, and their commitment to human rights and fairness are critical in addressing the issues surrounding HIV and Aids. The overall aim of this research was to determine whether the evaluated Resilient Educators (REds) support programme can be adapted to become an effective empowerment programme for social work students in supporting people infected with and affected by the HIV and Aids pandemic. Attention was given to the following aims of the study as discussed in each chapter. Chapter 1 contains the problem statement, research objectives and a discussion on the strengths perspective as well as the procedures followed. Furthermore, the limitations of this study were discussed, the definitions of key words were given and an exposition of the composition of the research report was also given. Chapter 2 gives an overview of the research methodology and includes a discussion of the intervention research model applied. The concurrent embedded strategy was used in this study and was implemented with a mixed method design model. The single system design and interviewing procedures were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. In Chapter 3 the nature and content of the REds programme for educators are discussed. REds was conceptualised as a potentially supportive, participatory group intervention for educators affected by the HIV and Aids pandemic to ensure educators excellence and sustainability. Group work as a research process was simultaneously offered, enabling intervention or leading to positive social change. An overview of the REds programme was provided by stating the aim of each session and documenting the process of each session as it occurred. This chapter provided a background for the next chapter that reported on the effectiveness of the REds programme. Chapter 4 reports on the effectiveness of REds. REds was presented to affected educators from two schools in the Matlosana district in the North West Province. The results of this study are based on a comparison of pre-test data and post-test data within both the qualitative and quantitative paradigm. The quantitative data was gained by using the Professional Quality of Life Screening questionnaire (Stamm, 2005). The qualitative data was gathered by way of in-depth interviewing where symbolic drawings, open-ended questions and participants' comments on each session, were integrated. The REds programme was evaluated as being successful for this group. However, a need for services from other health care professionals, such as nurses or social workers, was established. Chapter 5 focuses on the role of the social worker in providing empowerment to those infected with and affected by HIV and Aids and a literature study was conducted on the role of the social worker within an HIV and Aids reality. Chapter 6 focused on the development of an empowerment programme for fourth-year social work students regarding HIV and Aids, adapted from the REds programme. The HIV and Aids empowerment programme was developed to educate the social work student with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that they are well-trained to deliver an effective service to those people infected with and affected by HIV and Aids, when they enter the social work practice. The programme consists of a detailed workbook designed as a practical toolkit to address the issue of HIV and Aids through the use of multi-media training methods. Chapter 7 evaluated the effectiveness of an empowerment programme regarding HIV and Aids -the adapted REds programme. Eleven fourth-year social work students at the Department of Social Work, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, participated in this research. Pre-and post-assessment were done and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. However, the main focus in this study was on the qualitative data. The efficacy of the empowerment programme was evaluated, and implications for future educational preparation for students to work effectively in their roles as social workers regarding HIV and Aids were discussed. Chapter 8 provided a summary of the findings and conclusions of the research report, and some recommendations were made. Doctoral

MSW (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2017 In South Africa, informal alternative care is not regulated by the Department of Social Development. The amended Children’s Act (38 of 2005) serves as the ideal legislative guidance tool for social workers in South Africa with the aim of protecting children. Alternative care is covered in the Children’s Act (38 of 2005), but “informal alternative care” is not mentioned − even though this type of placement of children is happening on a continual basis. It is evident from the research done that this kind of placement is happening with and without the involvement of social workers. Literature on informal alternative care in South Africa is limited and may leave a gap with regard to the protection of children. This literature gap in informal alternative care can lead to a gap in legislative and practice guidelines as well as informal alternative care is not being given the necessary attention. The study, therefore, sought to develop insight into what constitutes informal alternative care; to explore the views of social workers concerning the elements, strategies and actions associated with interventions that best support informal alternative care; and to improve informal alternative care by making recommendations for possible practice guidelines regarding informal alternative care. A qualitative research methodology was utilised by the researcher to explore informal alternative care. Data were collected through the use of two focus groups. The sample consisted of social workers with a working experience of at least three years in informal and formal alternative care and was identified through the use of purposive sampling. The researcher used an interview schedule with pre-selected questions to explore the views of the participants with regard to interventions on informal alternative care. The researcher manually analysed the transcribed data from the focus groups and made use of Tesch’s eight steps in the coding process. The findings revealed five themes, which involved the concepts of informal alternative care, risk factors in informal alternative care, positive aspects of informal alternative care, challenges in informal alternative care; and regulations and legislative support in informal alternative care. This study, therefore, makes a contribution towards the knowledge and understanding of informal alternative care. Section A (Part 1) of the dissertation focuses on the orientation of the research, which encompasses the aim of the research, the problem statement, the research methodology and ethical implications. Section A (Part 2) contains the literature review of the study, which focuses on informal alternative care in South Africa, but informal alternative care in other countries also receives attention. This section also focuses on the amended Children’s Act (38 of 2005) and other legislative protection for children in South Africa. Focus was also given to formal foster care in order to draw a comparison between informal alternative care and formal foster care. Section B is presented in the form of an article. This section is the crux of the study as the findings of the study are discussed. Section C focuses on the critical evaluation of the study, limitations, recommendations and the conclusion. The results of the study suggest that social workers and families dealing with informal alternative care arrangements need support and guidance. Social workers are in need of practice guidelines in order to assist families and children in the best possible way. Possible practice guidelines are, therefore, proposed in order to assist social workers, children and families. Masters

MSW (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2017 The amended Children’s Act (38 of 2005) provides a comprehensive definition for contact. In Section 23, it also allows for biological parents to apply for contact, and provides factors that a court can take into account when making a decision concerning children. However, information needs to be available for a court to make a decision and social workers assist the court with the decision-making process. South Africa’s policies and legislation that should guide social workers in determining contact between a foster child and biological parents is sorely lacking at the moment. The researcher developed a Contact Planning Tool that can be used to assist her and her colleagues at the Christian Social Counsel (CSC) to determine contact between a foster child and biological parents. The development of the tool was based on practical experience gained from working in the field of foster care and input from international literature sources. The researcher also obtained input from colleagues. This tool has never been empirically verified or researched through a legitimate form of research. A qualitative approach and a descriptive research design were utilised by the researcher to explore the professional opinions of social workers regarding the tool. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in order to obtain data. The sample of participates that was used consisted of professional social workers with over five years of working experience in the field of foster care. A total of 11 participants took part in the study. An interview schedule with predetermined questions were used to gain the views and opinions of the participants. The v researcher manually analysed the data and five thematic categories were identified. The findings are represented, according to these five categories. These categories focus on the overall impression of the tool with regard to aspects, such as the child, the biological parents, the foster parents, and the practical aspects of contact. Valuable data were gained on the content of the tool and how great the need is for guidelines to assist social workers in determining contact between a foster child and biological parents. The orientation of the research is discussed in Section A (Part 1), which focuses on the aim of the research, the problem statement, the research methodology and ethical implications. Section A (Part 2) focuses on the literature review of the study, which provides an overview of contact, as described in international literature and in terms of the Children’s Act (38 of 2005). This section examines the benefits and concerns concerning contact, the role of social workers with regard to contact, and provides comprehensive detail on all of the above-mentioned aspects with regard to contact. Section B forms the centre of the study and is presented in article format. The article provides an overview of the study and presents the findings of the study. Section C provides a critical evaluation of the study, limitations, recommendations and the conclusion of the study. The results of this study show that a gap exists in the field of social work concerning contact between a foster child and biological parents and there is a need for policies and legislation to assist social workers in decision-making processes regarding contact. In addition, the findings revealed that the proposed tool can be of great value to social workers in the field of foster care. The findings also provide solid data on content validity based on recommendations for the improvement of the tool. Future research can include refining the tool by making use of the recommendations made in this study and testing the tool in the child protection field. Masters

MSW (Child Protection), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Family reunification intervention is globally considered to be at the centre of meaningful child welfare practice. If a child has been removed from the care of his/her birth parents, safe and timely family reunification should be the main goal. The purpose of this type of intervention is to restore the well-being of disrupted families to assist them to regain self-reliance and optimal social functioning. Reunification interventions, when applied accurately, have the potential to prevent an increase in and reduce the number of children remaining in alternative care until they age out of care. In achieving such a goal, the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 requires the designated social workers to render therapeutic services that are clinical in nature. However, the Act does not stipulate how such services should be provided or what their content should be. In light of this, this research aims to firstly conduct a rapid review of literature about what is known about the clinical content of reunification intervention rendered to families, and, secondly, to make recommendations to the academic community and the child welfare system regarding the enhancement of programmes and policies to address the clinical content of family reunification interventions. Study design and method: A rapid review was the method used to obtain knowledge in a shorter period than what is normally required for a systematic review. The study used the steps described by Dobbins (2017). Results and discussion: While a review of the literature indicated that the exact nature of the clinical content of reunification intervention rendered to families is not clear, the empirical evidence suggests that the clinical content of reunification intervention provided to families comprises of engagement, parental visiting and contact, parenting capacity building, and support groups. In addition, supporting birth parents with concrete resources like transportation and stable housing was found to be an extra intervention that supports successful reunification. Masters

MSW (Child Protection), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Thousands of children in need of care and protection in South Africa, especially in the rural communities are indigenously protected and taken care of by their close family members or relatives. The Homu 14B Rural Community of the Greater Giyani Municipality in the Mopani District of the Limpopo Province, has a functional indigenous system that protects and cares for neglected and abandoned children. This is in line with our Constitution’s Section 9(1), which states that everyone is equal before the law, and that we have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. This study explores the Tsonga indigenous perspective of children in need of care. It focuses on the Mopani District’s Homu 14B Village because of its exclusiveness, where the inhabitants are almost 100% Tsonga. This study was done qualitatively, where semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from prospective informants. The participants were purposefully identified. The collected data were analysed using the Atlas TI 7, a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software. This study revealed that the Tsonga explanation of what is meant by “left without proper care”, is in line with the definition as provided in the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005. Thus, this study determined that the Homu 14B Villagers pay much attention to their children’s basic needs such as food, education and their general wellbeing. Through the participants’ narratives, this study established that these villagers put mechanisms in place to ensure that no abandoned or orphaned child is neglected or stays without care. That is, there are certain processes that are followed to secure the wellbeing of the abandoned, orphaned or neglected children in this village. Masters

PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Criminologists and social work researcher, amongst other social service professions, have for a long period been interested in developing effective interventions for youth in conflict with the law. Called diversion programmes, these interventions are designed to make a difference in a child’s life by diverting them away from a life in prison, where they learn criminal skills due to their exposure to criminal adults. Diversion programmes for youth in conflict with the law and youth offenders have been implemented in South Africa since the early 1990s. A system has been developed whereby youth are referred by the courts to attend diversion programmes rendered by Department of Social Department and service providers such as NICRO and Khulisa. Governed by the Child Justice Act (Act 75 of 2008), youth offenders are referred, and managed by Social Workers and probation officers of the Department of Social Development. It also stipulates the options and levels of diversion interventions. A further aspect of research interest is the notion of recidivism, or the risk of re-offending that may set a first-time youth offender onto a career path of re-offending. A question frequently asked is: What can be done to prevent a child from re-offending? This has been the topic of many research projects and focuses. A concept that has drawn significant international research is that of pro-criminal attitudes; attitudes that result from the development of certain thought patterns that are conducive to and underlie offending behaviour. By identifying criminal thought patterns in youth that can be termed “pro-criminal”, researcher and practitioners are able to design their programmes in such a way that these pro-criminal thoughts are reduced, improving the chances that the individual will refrain from re-offending. In this way it has been found that cognitive-behavioural interventions such as life skills programmes are most effective in reducing pro-criminal thinking patterns and appear to help with reducing tendencies to re-offend. This study is focused on evaluating the impact of a life skills diversion programme on the pro-criminal attitudes of youth in conflict with the law. The Rhythm of Life diversion programme was developed by the department of Social Development and has been implemented nationally at regional offices where youth offenders are diverted to programmes such as the Rhythm of Life. The central question posed in this study is whether this programme is effective in reducing the criminal thinking styles of youth participating in the programme. The study utilised a quasi-experimental design to examine the research question, using as experimental group, and three groups of youth from a rural area in North West province, as the participants in this programme. Representing the comparison group was a similar group of youth that participated in a Victim Offender Mediation programme. This intervention differed from the skills-training programme in that it did not consist of any training sessions, but only mediation sessions involving offenders and victims. Youth with confirmed offences were included as the experimental group and youth at risk with un-confirmed offending behaviour as the comparison group in the research study. The comparison group and experimental group comprised both male and female offenders between ages 14 and 17 years. In order to ensure optimal presentation of the experimental intervention, the researcher worked with presenters and facilitators in the Rhythm programme, preparing them for the intervention, and extensively refining the content of the intervention and its presentation format. This was done by means of interviews and focus groups with Probation officers, Crime Prevention Coordinators and Generic Social Workers to further explore their understanding of the Rhythm of Life programme and training manual. Youth participants were recruited at three service points and came from youth clients engaged in the Rhythm programme for an eight-week period consisting of weekly group-work sessions. They signed the consent forms along with their parents. These forms were translated in Setswana – their home language. Group sessions were held at the service point’s office and schools where the participants were invited to attend the sessions. Participants received appointment cards that indicated the date and time of the follow-up appointment and they were also reminded of their attendance one week prior to the data collection session. A Pre-test was completed before commencement of the programme, as well as at the end of the eight weeks as a post-test, and once again three months after completion of the study. Three instruments were used: the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles PICTS; Service Perceptions Index (SPI); and Peer Deviancy Scale (PDS). All instruments were compiled in a battery that contained biographical data variables. Questionnaires were made up of the three mentioned scales for the pre- and post-test. The quantitative questionnaire was presented in English and was not translated into any other language seeing that youth participants were able to answer them appropriately. The interview question was open-ended and explored perceptions concerning the benefits of the “Rhythm of Life” programme for each individual participant. After three months of completion, the youth participants attended a single in-depth qualitative interview with each youth participant of the Rhythm of Life and Victim Offender Mediation for a follow-up interview. The qualitative interview was recorded by the researcher. However, after three months, including the focus group recordings, the recordings were translated and transcribed by hired transcription services. The data for quantitative research were analysed by Prof Suria Ellis from NWU Statistical Consultation Services, the researcher, and her supervisor who is knowledgeable about analysing statistics. The three articles presented in this manuscript represent findings from three different focus areas in this study. The first concerns refinement efforts made to the programme in order to prepare the Rhythm programme for implementation as key independent variable. The researcher aimed at ensuring that the programme remained consistent during implementation across different presenters; also that it was optimized for presentation. The second article concerns the quantitative findings with regard to the experimental study involving an experimental and a comparison group involving two groups of youth in conflict with the law, allocated to either the Rhythm of Life or Victim Offender Mediation diversion programme. The findings of this quasi-experimental study indicated various differences with regard to criminal attitudes and thinking styles – objectives frequently associated with life skills-oriented diversion programme outcomes. The third and final article is concerned with qualitative perceptions of the same groups that participated in the experiment regarding their main gains from the programme three months after completion of the programme. This study found, amongst others, that life-style changes seemed easier for participants that had completed the life skills programme. A last section of the dissertation is allocated to conclusions and recommendations with respect to the objectives of this study, and finally the implications of this study for future presentation of the Rhythm of Life programme. Doctoral

M Social Work (Child Protection), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus The South African child protection system seems unintegrated. This situation makes it difficult for the government departments and NGOs to combat child protection challenges and is it reported that child abuse and neglect are escalating in South Africa. The South Africa’s Child Care and Protection Policy (2018) and chapter 8 of the Children's Act (No. 38 of 2005 as amended) provide for the implementation and resourcing of primary prevention and early interventions. Implementation of programmes has been predominantly focussing, on reducing child poverty through social assistance programmes, especially the child support and foster care grants. Community-based interventions have potential to contribute significantly toward addressing maltreatment of children. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the views of social workers on the implementation process of the Courage Child Protection Community Engagement Programme. To achieve the aim of the study an evaluation of programme implementation was essential because without it, there are risks of not identifying or misinterpreting the meaning of negative results. A qualitative research approach was utilised to gain a better understanding on implementation evaluation through a literature review. The researcher also utilised telephone interviewing guided by an interview schedule that provided insight into the views of social workers who implemented the Courage Community Engagement Programme. The sample included 10 social workers who implemented the Courage Programme and are employed in the child protection field. The study therefore contributes to the existing knowledge and practices with regards to community programme implementation processes. It helps practitioners gain information regarding programme implementation that can be utilised as part of programme improvement. Section A of the dissertation focuses on the orientation of the research, which encompasses the background and aim of the research, the contextualisation, the problem statement, research methodology and ethical implications. Section B contains the literature review and the background of the Courage Programme. Section C is presented in the form of an article and the findings are critically discussed and substantiated through relevant literature. The last part of the dissertation focuses on the evaluation of the study, the limitations, recommendations and conclusion. Masters

PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Foster care is globally viewed as the most suitable option for children who are in need of alternative care with an assumption that it will provide them with stability and create opportunities whereby proper care and nurture will help them find a sense of belonging. Risk behaviour has been identified more so during adolescent stage as one of the contributing factors to foster care placement disruptions and breakdowns. However, few studies have been published on the implementation of intervention programmes for parents fostering adolescents presenting with risk behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate foster parents’ understanding and responses to risk-behaviour. Participants of the study were recruited from designated welfare organisations within the North-West Province. The sample included parents fostering adolescents between the ages of 14-17 years old. Thus, the primary goal of parenting programmes is to enhance parents’ knowledge, attitude and practices in relation to caring for adolescents. This study utilised a mixed-method approach using an integration of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches against the explanatory sequential design in collecting, comparing and analysing data. Content analysis of data was conducted. Based on the empirical literature, investigation and findings, the researchers developed an ARBM programme for foster parents. This programme was evaluated through a focus group discussion by foster parents who received training in the newly developed ARBM programme for foster parents. The findings of this study add value to the existing knowledge and make a significant contribution to intervention designed to assist parents fostering adolescents presenting with risk-behaviour. Based on the overall findings and conclusions, recommendations for practice and future studies are made. Section A of this thesis presents the research protocol approved by the Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES) entity and the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC), North-West University. Supporting documents are attached which includes ethics approval (included as Addendum A). The section serves to orientate the reader to this study and includes an in-depth discussion pertaining to the planning and methodology followed in preparation for this study. Theoretical foundation and legislative framework that governs child protection informs the foundation of this study. Section B consists of the four (4) articles relevant to this thesis and each article is presented according to a structure of the journal article publishers that the researchers intend to submit for publication. The four articles form the critical part of this study’s findings and each of these articles focusses on the objectives of this study. The findings are critically discussed, elaborated and supported with evidence from literature and the research investigation. Section C presents the main findings of this study coupled with conclusions, limitations and future recommendations. The ARBM programme for foster parents was presented to foster parents. The content of this programme was further evaluated with a group of foster parents who received training. This programme has been circulated to all welfare organisations that participated in the study. Pamphlets were also distributed to foster parents for future reference. The findings of this study concur with an extensive amount of literature that there is a need for foster parents to receive trauma and behaviourally informed training on how to cope and deal with adolescents presenting with risk-behaviour. Through evidence-based training interventions, foster parents are likely to feel empowered and develop insight on how to regulate their parenting behaviour. Doctoral

M SW (Child Protection) , North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus The aim of the study was to investigate and describe the relationship between the psychosocial well-being and supervision of Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCW) within Child and Youth Care Centers (CYCC) to determine whether the CYCW obtain sufficient psychosocial support within the workplace. Section A consists of two (2) parts. Part one (1) of Section A focuses on the research orientation and problem statement as well as a summary of the research methodology used to carry out the study. Part two (2) consists of the literature study that was conducted. The research problem of the study is as follows: CYCW is seen as the primary caregivers of children within CYCC. Due to various reasons such as child abuse and neglect, children are lawfully placed in the care of CYCC if the children are found in need of care and protection by the court. These children are exposed to a lot of trauma, which can lead to secondary trauma and even emotional burnout of those in whose care the children are placed. It is therefore important that CYCW acquire sufficient psychosocial support to ensure that they provide high quality services to the children. There are limited literature and studies available on the psychosocial well-being of CYCW. The problem statement led to one research objective and thus it was to determine if there was a connection between the psychosocial well-being and supervision of CYCW. Quantitative research metods and quantitative data collection method was used. The literature study focused on the ecological system theory, children in need of care and protection, CYCC in South Africa, CYCW, the psychosocial well-being CYCW and supervision within CYCC. Section B consists the journal article that will be submitted to the Social Work/Social Work Journal. The article consists of the research orientation, problem statement, research methodology and the results of the study. A demographic questionnaire and two (2) standardized questionnaires were used to collect the quantitative data. The one (1) questionnaire focused on the psychosocial well-being of CYCW and the other one on the relationship the CYCW had with their supervisor. Relationships between supervision and the psychosocial well-being of CYCW have been identified to make the findings of the study. Section C consists of the summary and conclusion of the study conducted. Recommendations were also made to the relevant Child and Youth Care Centres, as well as recommendations for future research. Section D contains the addendums used during the research process. Masters

MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Intercountry adoption has become a well-known legal placement option for adoptable children that could not be placed in permanent family care in their country of birth. Although the process is protected by robust legislation, policy and practice, it is characterised by ethical dilemmas and illicit practice. South African child protection organizations with accreditation to facilitate intercountry adoptions experience challenges in practice due to the lack of clear operational manuals and procedures. The overall aim of this study was to develop content for an operational manual for intercountry adoption social workers in South Africa. To achieve the aim of this study, the researcher made use of an explorative descriptive design. The study therefore sought to develop insight into existing national and international adoption guidelines through a critical literature review. Due to the limited research available with regards to South African specific programmes, international practice guidelines and manuals were included in the study. The findings indicated operational gaps and weaknesses in existing South African practice guidelines and also confirmed the need for an operational manual that would address the unique child protection environment of South Africa as a Sending country. The researcher also utilised focus groups that provided insight into the views of social workers and assisted in identifying operational challenges when facilitating an intercountry adoption. A focus group interview schedule focussed on the changing profile of the adoptable children and prospective adoptive parents, roles and responsibilities before, during and after the adoption process, costing and professional fees, the importance of legal compliance and therapeutic support. The sample consisted of a number of social workers, employed by an accredited child protection organisation and having a minimum of two years’ experience in the field of intercountry adoptions. The researcher analysed the transcribed data from the four focus groups to identify themes which emerged from the relevant literature. The study therefore contributes towards insight and knowledge that could assist social workers to facilitate the intercountry adoption process with ethical best practice guidelines and procedures unique to South Africa as Sending country. Recommendations on what the content of such an operational manual should include form part of the study. Chapter 1 of the dissertation focuses on the orientation of the research, which encompasses the background and aim of the research, the contextualization, the problem statement, research methodology and ethical implications. Chapter 2 contains the literature review, providing a legal and policy framework on the practice of intercountry adoption, existing guidelines and available practice manuals. This literature study focused on both international and local literature. Chapter 3 and 4 are presented in the form of two articles and form the crux of the study as the findings are critically discussed and substantiated through relevant literature. The last part of the dissertation focuses on the critical evaluation of the study, the limitations, recommendations and conclusion. The results of the study confirm the need of accredited child protection organisations, working in the field of intercountry adoptions, to have a South African unique best practice manual to assist and navigate the complex process of intercountry adoption as a placement option. Content development of such an operational manual is therefore proposed to ensure that intercountry adoptions are managed and facilitated in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner. Masters

Masters (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus In South Africa, adoption is a specialised area in the field of childcare and child protection. It is regulated by the Children’s Act, 2005 (38 of 2005 as amended) and Social Service Professions Act (110 of 1978). In South Africa, the Children’s Act (38 of 2005) and Adoption Policy Framework and Strategy (2010) prioritise adoption as a preferred form of permanent alternative care for young adoptable children. Adoption is often described as being legally and ethically complex as it potentially involves the conflicting rights of parties to the adoption triad. What is more, adoption affects the involved parties for their whole lives. In the Hague Convention and National Practice Guidelines, the emphasis is on the adoption practitioner’s ability to render adoption services that are based on sound ethics to prevent inducement, exploitation, the sale and trafficking of children, and improper financial gain through adoptions. The adoption of children raises several human rights issues. It is crucial that the process of adoption should be guided by the principle of identifying and acting in the best interest of the child. Measures are needed in several areas to better protect children and their rights during adoption procedures. The general aim of this research study was to develop an ethical guideline for adoption social workers. In pursuit of this aim, the researcher did a rapid review on relevant existing national and international ethics documents for adoption social workers, identifying common challenges with respect to the ethics involved in adoptions and the most appropriate guidelines for dealing with dilemmas that arise from the ethics related to adoption social work. The researcher then used the results of the rapid review and the contributions of a Delphi panel to refine and develop content for an ethical guideline for adoption social workers in South Africa. The study may provide the adoption social workers in South Africa with knowledge to develop policies in this area. Masters