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

Masha, Rankwe Reuben; Botha, Petro

doi:10.15270/57-4-973

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Foster care is an important worldwide strategy within child protection systems (Masha and Botha, 2021). Dhludhlu (2021) conducted a study involving social workers and care leavers in South Africa.…”

Section: Benefits Of Children To Be Raised In Foster Homesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The challenges faced by children in foster homes are multifaceted and substantial. Masha and Botha (2021) conducted a study involving 13 social workers, revealing that a total of 236 foster children in South Africa were subjected to abuse and neglect during 2016 and 2017. The forms of maltreatment identified included physical neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, as well as sexual abuse and rape.…”

Section: Challenges Faced By Children Raised In Foster Homesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The dynamics of foster care in the Kingdom of Eswatini: Benefits, challenges, and strategies for effective foster parenting

Mpofu,

Machingauta

2024

IJRCS

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The study investigated the experience and challenges faced by children raised by foster parents in the Kingdom of Eswatini. It employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) design guided by a transformative paradigm, which was fitting as it necessitated the direct participation of those being researched in the data generation process. A sample size of 15 participants was conveniently selected from the target population. Two research instruments, focus group discussions and interviews, were used to collect data, as they enabled the researchers to gather meaningful information through the participants' lived experiences. The Cultural History Activity Theory (CHAT) served as the theoretical framework for the study. The findings indicated that foster children experienced improved living standards, received attention to their emotional needs, enjoyed safety, and had access to care at the foster home. However, challenges such as adaptation issues, psychological difficulties, family disruption, and reintegration were prevalent among children in foster homes. Strategies identified from the study included training, assessment, reintegration, establishment of a legal framework, and assistance. The study concludes that while children raised in foster care often have better living standards, they may develop a dependency syndrome, making it challenging for them to adapt to life after ageing out of foster care.

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Section: Benefits Of Children To Be Raised In Foster Homesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Challenges Faced By Children Raised In Foster Homesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dynamics of foster care in the Kingdom of Eswatini: Benefits, challenges, and strategies for effective foster parenting

Mpofu,

Machingauta

2024

IJRCS

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A qualitative exploration of the drivers for the transfer of foster children in Gauteng, South Africa

Mashiloane,

Nell,

Truter

2023

Child Abuse & Neglect

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Challenges Faced by Social Workers Rendering Foster Care Services in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Northern Cape Province

Mosala,

Wilson

2024

SAJSWSD

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Foster care services are in high demand in South Africa because of the significant number of children in need of care. Reasons for this include the death of biological parents, abuse, neglect, incarceration of parents, parents abandoning their children, and even disappearance of parents. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this situation. The demand for foster care is putting strain on the delivery of social work services to this vulnerable group. Social workers tasked with implementing the foster care process experience operational impediments and emotional strain, creating an implementation challenge. In examining these challenges, the ecological perspective provides a suitable theoretical framework. This qualitative research study is underpinned by an exploratory design and semi-structured interviews have been conducted to gather primary data. Eight participants have been purposively selected, and the data has been analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that the challenges social workers face fall into three categories: operational obstacles, emotional challenges, and non-adherence to foster care values and principles. Policies and practices are recommended to address the identified challenges to ensure that social workers are empowered to implement foster care services that are child-centred and needs-based.

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

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

The dynamics of foster care in the Kingdom of Eswatini: Benefits, challenges, and strategies for effective foster parenting

The dynamics of foster care in the Kingdom of Eswatini: Benefits, challenges, and strategies for effective foster parenting

A qualitative exploration of the drivers for the transfer of foster children in Gauteng, South Africa

Challenges Faced by Social Workers Rendering Foster Care Services in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District, Northern Cape Province

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