Browsing by Author "Bruyns, Cindee"

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    An exploration into statutory Social Workers' perceptions and experiences of their child protection work
    (2019) Atkins, Georgina; Bruyns, Cindee
    The South African statistics for child abuse, neglect, and death is extreme by international measures (UNICEF, 2016). Concurrently, skilled Social Workers are in demand in South Africa but subject to complex social dynamics while working under immense pressure (DHET, 2018; Calitz, Roux, & Strydom, 2014). The purpose of this study was to explore Statutory Social Workers’ perceptions and experiences of their Child Protection Work. The objectives of this study was to gain insight into the role, responsibilities and experiences of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers in order to identify their perceived challenges and rewards within the profession and to make recommendations to improve Statutory Child Protection Work. The study used a qualitative research design. A purposive non-probability sampling method was used to select the 19 respondents in this study. All respondents were Statutory Child Protection Social Workers from Government and Non-Government Child Protection organisations. The data was collected using a semi-structured interview schedule to conduct one-on-one interviews. The interviews were analysed using Tesch’s (2013) approach and NVIVO 12 data analysis software. Overall, the study found that while respondents experience challenges in their profession, there are rewarding aspects in Social Work that motivate them to continue in the work. More specifically, the study has found that the main responsibilities and roles of Statutory Child Protection Social Workers are embedded in the context of Statutory Social Work. In this context, Social Workers’ Child protection interventions are mandated by Social Work and Child Protection legislation to respond to social problems. Main social issues reported by respondents are poor parenting, substance misuse, gangsterism, domestic violence, school dropouts, unemployment, and teen pregnancies. The study revealed the importance of effective collaborative work with the stakeholders of Child Protection Work. Most respondents reported that collaborative work in Child Protection Work can be more effective when there are clearly defined roles and responsibilities and good working relationships between collaborators. The study found that there are both extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of the work that are perceived as challenging and rewarding for respondents. The most challenging extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are poor working conditions, namely: concern for safety, lack of resources to do the work, high caseloads and dissatisfaction with the salary. The most challenging intrinsic experiences perceived by respondents are lack of recognition received from collaborators, the public and government. The most rewarding extrinsic experiences of Social Work perceived by respondents are; support received at work and good working relationships and support received from colleagues. Intrinsic aspects experienced as most rewarding by respondents are; achievements at work, recognition received for their work, motivation to do SW and remaining in SW, and experiencing a sense of personal and professional growth in their work. Based on the results of the study, recommendations can be made to inform Social Work Practice (workers and employers), Social Work Education and Training, Government, and future Social Work research. The study found that self-care is an important coping mechanism for the respondents to manage emotional exhaustion and the challenges of the work. Respondents’ recommendations to employers include their plea for better resources, effective supervision, support and acknowledgement. Recommendations that respondents had for improvement of statutory child protection service delivery is; improved working relationships with collaborators and clarification of roles and responsibilities of collaborators, and a need for forums and networking. Recommendations that respondents had for Social Work education and training institutions included better preparation for the work while studying at university. The main recommendations that respondents echoed to government are justice for victims of abuse and neglect, better working conditions for Statutory Child Protection Social Workers and the inclusion of Social Workers’ voices when Child Protection policy and legislation is developed.
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    An exploration into the stressors and coping strategies of parents caring for children living with Autism spectrum disorder
    (2020) Baker, Robyn; Bruyns, Cindee
    This study sought to understand the experiences and challenges of parents caring for a child living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A qualitative research design was used to explore the stressors faced, coping strategies used, and support mechanisms needed by parents caring for a child living with ASD within South Africa. Non-probability sampling was used to select 20 respondents, initially using purposive and then snowball sampling techniques, until the target sample size was reached and data saturation had occurred. Respondents consisted of South African mothers who care for a child living with ASD, and who live in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban. Data was collected with the use of semi-structured one-on-one interviews, and was analyzed according to Tesch's (1990) eight steps of analysis. The study found that there were various practical stressors for respondents regarding caring for a child living with ASD. This included the stressors of managing their child's difficult behaviours, respondents' high levels of anxiety as a result of these behaviours, and difficulties communicating with their child. Stressors also included the high cost of care and interventions, difficulty finding appropriate schooling, and the need to consult multiple professionals before receiving the diagnosis. The respondents' psychological stressors included experiencing grief and loss once their child was diagnosed, hurt from other's lack of understanding of ASD, and their concerns about their child's future. Various coping mechanisms were found to be used by respondents, including accepting the child with their diagnosis, increasing in patience and empathy, and attempting to manage and prevent their child's difficult behaviours. Another coping mechanism was to utilize a blend of interventions, for example Occupational and Speech Therapy, which catered to their child's unique ASD-presentation. Support mechanisms that were found to be beneficial to respondents were informal and consisted of support from family and from other parents caring for a child with ASD. This study concluded that caring for a child with ASD has many challenges, especially when one is the child's parent and primary caregiver. It also concluded that respondents displayed resilience towards these challenges by utilizing various coping and support mechanisms available to them. Numerous recommendations arose from this study, the most salient of which was for health care professionals (HCPs), which included social workers, as well as parents caring for a child living with ASD to educate themselves and others with regards to ASD. Another recommendation was for HCPs to link these parents with affordable and appropriate education and intervention options for their children.
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    Exploring the Potential for Wilderness Therapy as an Intervention Method with At-Risk Youth in South Africa
    (2022) Masters, Emily; Bruyns, Cindee
    This study explored the potential for Wilderness Therapy, a recognized intervention involving outdoor living, adventure activities and individualized therapeutic components, as an intervention method with at-risk youth in South Africa. Although there are several youth targeting programmes in South Africa that incorporate outdoor living and adventure activities, it is unclear how these programmes are integrating evidence-based Wilderness Therapy. This study investigated current wilderness programmes being used to intervene with South African youth and the therapeutic components these programmes incorporate. The study considered understandings of Wilderness Therapy held by those working in South African wilderness programmes and examined the context-specific opportunities and obstacles they experienced. This qualitative study utilized one-on-one remote interviews using Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp call and telephonic communication. A combination of purposive and snowball sampling was used to select 18 research respondents who worked within South African wilderness-based programmes targeting at-risk youth. The respondents had to have been involved in at least two of these programmes and spent multiple nights with the youth, in an outdoor setting. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Tesch's (1990) method of qualitative data analysis was then used to analyse the data. The findings of this study revealed that wilderness programmes in South Africa utilize similar activities, environments, approaches and methods to those used in the internationally recognised method of Wilderness Therapy. The therapeutic aspects considered essential within Wilderness Therapy were not found to be incorporated in South African programmes, however they did include indigenous South African teaching methods such as storytelling, peer feedback and inter-generational mentoring within a group setting. The findings of this study revealed that those working within South African wilderness programmes had little awareness of similar methods proven successful in other countries, such as Wilderness Therapy, and that they felt that wilderness-based programmes were not well understood or appreciated by key role players. Limited reliable financial support, logistical challenges, a lack of evidence-based research and high numbers of youth needing intervention, were revealed to be significant challenges for those working in South African wilderness programmes. The study revealed that collaborations between organizations, schools and government were a particular strength of South African wilderness programmes, according to those that work within them. The main recommendations, that arose from the study, for staff implementing youth-targeting wilderness programmes in South Africa are to grow their knowledge of South African teaching methods and Wilderness Therapy to enrich their programmes. Management of wilderness programmes are recommended to increase NGO collaborations, use social media to improve public awareness and incorporate an educational and employment focus within their programmes. Increased collaboration between existing programmes is recommended to establish standardized staff training and practices. It is suggested that Social Workers provide family and reintegration services to youth attending wilderness programmes as well as increase their involvement within these programmes. The Department of Social Development is recommended to provide financial support and facilitating NGO collaborations for wilderness programmes. It is recommended that future researchers conduct a variety of different type of research on South African wilderness programmes.
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    Perceptions of race of coloured children in a child and youth care centre
    (2012) Bruyns, Cindee; Williams, Fatima
    This study was an exploration into the perceptions of race of coloured children in a child and youth care centre, Leliebloem House. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ways in which race is still present in the lives of these children, who were supposedly “untouched” by the former Apartheid dispensation.
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    Perceptions of race of coloured children in a child and youth care centre
    (2012) Bruyns, Cindee; Williams, Fatima
    This study was an exploration into the perceptions of race of coloured children in a child and youth care centre, Leliebloem House. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ways in which race is still present in the lives of these children, who were supposedly “untouched” by the former Apartheid dispensation.