Exploring the Experiences of Social and Auxiliary Workers during COVID-19 Crisis in South Africa

Gunhidzirai, Constance; Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence; Ruzungunde, Vongai S.

doi:10.1108/978-1-80117-686-620221026

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…As our findings show, the pandemic brought about new tasks and responsibilities for staff, and challenges associated with working from home as well as health risks from in-person work. This is consistent with findings from studies examining the experiences of community and social workers during the pandemic, which found resilience as well as fatigue (Ajibo, 2020 ; Banks et al, 2020 ; Gunhidzirai et al, 2022 ). Additional investment and attention are needed to examine ways to support frontline staff and organisations working with families and communities to reduce violence and promote positive parenting and wellbeing in the difficult and ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic and other crises.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

Shenderovich

Sacolo-Gwebu

Fang

et al. 2022

Global Public Health

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We explore how organisations working on parenting programmes and other types of family support and violence prevention in low-resource settings experienced the pandemic. In August 2020–May 2021, we interviewed (1) staff from three community-based organisations delivering evidence-informed parenting interventions and other psychosocial services for families in Cape Town, South Africa, (2) staff from a parenting programme training organisation and (3) staff from two international organisations supporting psychosocial services in South Africa. Interviews (22) were thematically analysed, with findings in three areas. First, respondents noted changes in the context, including the job losses, food insecurity, and stress experienced by local communities, and reductions in organisational funding. Second, we found that in response to these context changes, the organisations shifted their focus to food provision and COVID prevention. Parenting and psychosocial programmes were adapted – e.g. by changing the physical delivery settings, reducing group sizes, and taking up digital and phone implementation. Participants reported improved perceptions of remote delivery as a feasible approach for working with families – but internet and phone access remained challenging. Third, the pandemic brought new responsibilities for staff, and both the challenges of working from home and the health risks of in-person work.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

Shenderovich

Sacolo-Gwebu

Fang

et al. 2022

Global Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As our findings show, the pandemic brought about new tasks and responsibilities for staff, and challenges associated with working from home as well as health risks from in-person work. This is consistent with findings from studies examining the experiences of community and social workers during the pandemic, which found resilience as well as fatigue (Ajibo, 2020;Banks et al, 2020;Gunhidzirai et al, 2022). Additional investment and attention are needed to examine ways to support frontline staff and organisations working with families and communities to reduce violence and promote positive parenting and wellbeing in the difficult and ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic and other crises.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

Shenderovich¹,

Sacolo-Gwebu²,

Fang³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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COVID-19 pandemic has created new pressures for many families, and organisations supporting them. In interviews with staff from three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa, and other stakeholders, we looked at how organisations adapted their delivery of two evidence-informed parenting interventions and other services for families. Data from 22 interviews conducted August 2020 - May 2021 were analysed using framework approach. Participants perceived increased job losses, food insecurity, and stress experienced by families. Organisations changed how they worked with families, in response to the pandemic and restrictions on gathering, reductions in available resources, changing community needs and funding priorities. The organisations focused on boosting food provision and developed COVID prevention activities and safety measures. Organisations adapted parenting programme delivery by changing the physical settings and group size for in-person programmes and taking up digital delivery and phone communication with families. Participants reported a positive change in their perceptions of digital delivery as a feasible approach for working with families - but limited internet and phone access were a challenge. The pandemic brought new tasks and responsibilities for staff, and challenges associated with working from home and health risks of in-person work.

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Exploring the Experiences of Social and Auxiliary Workers during COVID-19 Crisis in South Africa

Cited by 2 publications

References 15 publications

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

Adaptations and staff experiences in delivering parenting programmes and other family support services in three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID pandemic

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