Displaying 31 - 40 of 43
Abstract
This study sought to investigate the lived experiences of care leavers from institutional care facility in Botswana. The study objectives were to explore the challenges faced by children after leaving the institutional care and to identify services that can be offered to them in preparation for life in a society in general. The study adopted a cross-sectional qualitative research approach, and data were collected through in-depth interviews that were qualitatively analysed. Thirty participants was sampled, and there were divided into 2 sections comprising care leavers and key…
Abstract
This paper adopts a qualitative case study on the generalist service delivery model of I‐Care, a Durban‐based non‐governmental organization that works with male street children. Fifteen face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 10 I‐Care employees and 5 former street children. A focus group was set up with I‐Care employees. Although existing literature is forthright about a generalist approach for children at risk, it remains unclear how to implement this approach in practice. This paper reviews a continuity of 5 fundamental social work practices for working with street children…
Abstract
Approximately 21,000 children were accommodated in residential care in South Africa in 2011/2012. Despite this large number, and the state's substantial financial investment in residential care, there has, until recently, been little research on care-leaving: the transition out of care due to reaching adulthood. Furthermore, much of the research available has not been published in international journals. This article reports on a systematic review of research on residential care-leaving in South Africa, from 2003 to 2016. A thematic analysis of the resulting 40 research outputs…
Abstract: This study contributes to the emerging body of South African literature on care leaving, as it explores the future selves and resilience factors of young people who are still in residential care and who are about to exit the statutory system. This is in contrast to the few other studies of care leaving in South Africa, which focus on the experiences of individuals after their discharge from care. This study also makes a contribution to the international discourse on care leaving, by adding a South African perspective on care leavers and their anticipated transition to adulthood. For…
Abstract:
The transition to independent living is a challenging phase for youths who grow up in residential care. The vulnerability of the care leaving population is widely acknowledged in care leaving research. In addition to the transitioning challenges that face care leavers globally, South African care leavers are faced with contextual disadvantages that increase their vulnerability. These include limited formal support services, high levels of unemployment and many family related problems that can be accounted for by the apartheid legacy. This paper presents qualitative findings of…
Abstract
This paper focuses on appropriate responses to the unique challenges faced by young people at risk who are transitioning out of state care in South Africa. Specific lessons are drawn from Project Lungisela, a youth leaving care programme created to assist young people leaving state care in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Project Lungisela was initiated by Mamelani Projects, a local non-governmental organisation, in response to the need for support services for youth transitioning out of care, particularly from State children's homes. Support for this target group is neither a well-…
This video is presented by Better Care Network and UNICEF. It features interviews with experts, including members of the Kenya Society of Care Leavers explaining some of the negative impacts of institutionalization and highlighting their efforts to support young people who are transitioning out of care. Care Leavers discuss their experiences in child care Institutions and afterward. They also discuss the importance of developing family units and support groups.
Other videos in this series include:
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Within the universally vulnerable population of young people in South Africa, those leaving care are especially at risk. This chapter of Young People Transitioning from Out-of-Home Care reviews the state of South African youth, particularly regarding poverty, employment and education, providing the social context within which to consider those leaving care. The South African welfare context is reviewed, with particular attention to the transition from an apartheid welfare system to a developmental state, and the implications of this for child welfare, alternative care and…
This paper initiates discussion by calling on Child and Youth Care (CYCCs) to offer transitional support to youth leaving care. It also intends to document and share information on new ways for youth to successfully transition out of care.
This paper discusses how the intention of placement is to be a temporary situation until children are able to reintegrate with their families. Unfortunately, due to the high caseloads placed on designated social workers as well as other factors, children often become long-term residents. If the children cannot return to their families, they…
This booklet was developed by Mamelani Projects, a community development organisation in South Africa. The booklet outlines Mamelani’s approach to Youth Development and providing transitional support to young people as they transition out of Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs). This booklet is designed to be used by practitioners - such as child and youth care workers, social workers and programme managers - who work directly with youth who are transitioning from residential care. The booklet also targets people responsible for designing and implementing programmes to support youth in their…