An Analysis Of, and Different Approach To, Challenges in Foster Care Practice in South Africa

Böning, Annelie; Ferreira, Sandra Rejane Soares

doi:10.15270/49-4-42

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although the South African authors mentioned in the introduction do not refer to incidences of abuse or neglect in foster care, they warn against a child protection system overwhelmed by extended families relying on the foster care grant (FCG) to provide for the material needs of the family, and insufficient resources to monitor children in statutory care and investment in prevention and early intervention (HSRC, 2012;Schiller & Strydom, 2018). Böning and Ferreira (2013) also warn that the high caseloads of social workers negatively affects the quality of foster care services, tracking of foster children through the system, and long-term planning based on a foster care plan. These authors indicate that the foster care system in South Africa is in a crisis and question whether it is really serving the best interests of the child.…”

Section: Factors Contributing the Abuse And Neglect Of Foster Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is clear from the international literature consulted that foster children are often physically, emotionally and sexually abused and neglected, and that this has serious consequences for foster children (Bolton, et al, 1981;Biehal & Perry, 2010;Cavara & Ogren, 1983;Farmer & Moyers, 2008). Although mention is made of characteristics of foster parents maltreating foster children, not much could be found in the international literature on factors contributing to the abuse and neglect of children in foster placements (Biehal & Perry, 2010;Böning & Ferreira, 2013). Only one South African study could be identified that refers directly to the abuse and neglect of children in foster care (Mnisi 2015), although several authors implied a serious concern for the safety of foster care children (Böning & Ferreira, 2013;HSRC, 2012;;Schiller & Strydom, 2018).…”

Section: Problem Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although mention is made of characteristics of foster parents maltreating foster children, not much could be found in the international literature on factors contributing to the abuse and neglect of children in foster placements (Biehal & Perry, 2010;Böning & Ferreira, 2013). Only one South African study could be identified that refers directly to the abuse and neglect of children in foster care (Mnisi 2015), although several authors implied a serious concern for the safety of foster care children (Böning & Ferreira, 2013;HSRC, 2012;;Schiller & Strydom, 2018). It can thus be concluded that it is not clear whether children in foster care in South Africa are maltreated and, if so, what the factors are which contribute to this abuse and neglect.…”

Section: Problem Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are allegations that some foster parents only take care of orphaned children because they receive the FCG (Böning & Ferreira 2013;Naicker, 2021). According to the Guidelines for Effective Management of Foster Care in South Africa (Department of Social Development, 2009), the purpose of the FCG is to help the foster parent to meet the needs of the foster child.…”

Section: Provide For You See For Yourself What You Can Eat… (Jpt)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Child Maltreatment Prevention Readiness Assessment: South Africa (HSRC, 2012) indicated a lack of resources to monitor the trajectory of children in statutory care, placing children "at risk, even in their new, supposedly safe environment". In their article Böning and Ferreira (2013) focus on the crisis in the foster care system, mentioning that foster children are often abused for the foster care grant, and the authors express their concern "that at present children end up in the statutory system while professional responsibility cannot be really accepted for them". Mnisi (2015), in a study of factors contributing to the breakdown of foster care of adolescents, reported that in comparison with parents who did not indicate abuse and neglect of foster children as a factor for breakdown, adolescents reported physical and emotional abuse; misuse of the foster care grant; and sexual abuse by someone who was close to the foster family.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Is Foster Care the Safe Place We Believe It to Be? If Not, Why Not?

Masha

Botha

2021

SWORK

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Foster care is an important part of the child protection system; however, it seems that some foster children are not protected – they are abused and neglected. The aims of this article are to confirm on a small scale whether children in foster care are indeed being abused and neglected and to develop an understanding of factors contributing to the abuse and neglect of these foster children. A qualitative research approach was applied. Findings confirmed the occurrence of abuse and/or neglect and provided information on factors relating to foster parents and the foster care system itself contributing to this phenomenon.

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Section: Factors Contributing the Abuse And Neglect Of Foster Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Problem Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Problem Formulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Provide For You See For Yourself What You Can Eat… (Jpt)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Is Foster Care the Safe Place We Believe It to Be? If Not, Why Not?

Masha

Botha

2021

SWORK

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Healthcare beliefs and practices of kin caregivers in South Africa: implications for child survival

Mabetha¹,

Wet²,

Odimegwu³

2021

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Appropriate health-seeking practices may have a positive influence on child survival, particularly when practiced by kin caregivers of children who are below the age of 5 years. While literature has shown that children who are raised in kinship care often present with poor health outcomes and often have unmet healthcare needs, the health-seeking behaviours and practices of the children’s kin caregivers that ultimately influence these health outcomes remain largely unknown. In this paper, we explored the healthcare beliefs and practices of kin caregivers in South Africa on child survival. Methods Overall, 12 structured interviews were conducted with all the participants. Six [6] interviews were conducted in the Eastern Cape province and 6 were conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The sample of participants was obtained by seeking permission from the child welfare authorities in the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) to assist in identifying a sample of the kin-caregivers who have provided primary care to children below the age of 5. The structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. After thematic content analysis was carried out, transcripts were given case numbers and then imported into NViVo version 11 for analysis and interpretation of the findings. Results The healthcare seeking behaviours and poor use of healthcare services of the caregivers were largely influenced by their notions and perceptions of health and illness. The notions and perceptions that the caregivers hold about the health statuses of the children placed under their care and illness were found to be largely culturally determined and largely influenced by preconceptions and certain healthcare beliefs. Increased reliance on traditional herbs, Notion of witchcraft and Faith healing emerged as key factors that influence health-seeking practices and beliefs of kin caregivers, thus influencing under-five mortality. Conclusion Kin caregivers should be equipped with the necessary guidance, resources and training that facilitate the successful fulfilment of the caregiving role, given the number of unmet needs and challenges that they face. This will in turn translate into positive child health outcomes.

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The roles of social workers and community volunteers in providing services to foster care children living with HIV in South Africa

Gutura,

Khosa

2023

SWSSR

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This paper discusses the role of social workers and community volunteers in providing services to foster care children living with HIV in South Africa. A literature review was undertaken of 14 qualitative studies conducted in South Africa from 2012-2022. The review showed the prominent role played by social workers in foster care, despite factors which hindered service such as high caseloads, lack of knowledge on HIV and prioritisation of quantity over quality. Hence, several challenges were faced by foster carers. The studies also revealed that community volunteers were providing services to children living with HIV through linking them to care and providing educational support. The literature shows that the challenges faced by foster care parents and their children mostly resulted of social workers’ inability to provide comprehensive services. Community volunteers offered services where social workers were constrained. This paper concludes that social workers should work in collaboration with community volunteers to cater to the limitations facing the social work workforce in providing services to foster care parents and children living with HIV.

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An Analysis Of, and Different Approach To, Challenges in Foster Care Practice in South Africa

Cited by 8 publications

References 24 publications

Is Foster Care the Safe Place We Believe It to Be? If Not, Why Not?

Is Foster Care the Safe Place We Believe It to Be? If Not, Why Not?

Healthcare beliefs and practices of kin caregivers in South Africa: implications for child survival

The roles of social workers and community volunteers in providing services to foster care children living with HIV in South Africa

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