Die ontwikkeling en evaluering van 'n maatskaplike groepwerkintervensieprogram in verwante pleegsorgplasings / Janine Delport

• Main Author: Delport, Janine
• Language: Afrikaans
• Published: North-West University 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10394/1250

The overall objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a social group work intervention programme which is aimed at kinship foster carers' needs. The thesis consists of five sections: Section A refers to the problem statement, research objectives and procedures which were followed. Furthermore the limitations of this study, the definition of key words as well as the composition of the research report are discussed. The problem statement can be condensed as follows: Some welfare agencies use social group work programmes to train kinship foster carers. Limited research exists on the specific needs of foster carers and their opinions on topics that should be included in such a programme. The problem statement leads to five research aims. Developmental and Utilization Research (DR&U-model) was used as the overall research model. This model was implemented within a mixed methodological design model. Interviews and the single systems design were used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Literature studies were conducted on the themes of foster care, kinship care, foster carers, foster children and social group work. Section B consists of the four articles that form the report about the research outcomes. Each article is handled as a self-contained unit, which focuses on specific research results and methods. The unit of the main research project is maintained. The four articles are: Article 1: The role of social work in regards to kinship foster care The aim of this article is to determine the nature and extent of kinship foster care in the North-West Province. The task of the social \\orker in respect to the kinship foster carer is studied. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collecting purposes. 50 questionnaires \\ere sent to social workers in the North-West province, working with kinship foster carers. The results (N=2J) show the state of existing programmes and the opinions of social workers on topics that could be discussed during a social group work programme to train kinship foster carers. Article 2: The needs of kinship foster carers The aim of this article is to provide a profile of the needs of kinship foster carers. Attention is given to the role of kinship foster carers and their perception of foster care. Key relationships in kinship foster care placements are studied, for example the relationship between the foster parent and the foster child. Ten (N=IO) kinship foster carers were identified through the application of accidental sampling. A self-structured schedule was used for data collecting purposes. The results show the needs of kinship foster carers and topics were identified that could be discussed during a social group work programme to train kinship foster carers. Article 3: A social group work intervention programme for kinship foster carers The purpose of this article is to develop an extensive social group work intervention programme for kinship carers. through which their social functioning can be enhanced. Interview schedules were completed with ten (N=IO) kinship carers and 24 (N=24) social workers in the North-West province. These findings, together with consultations and literature studies, resulted in the development of the mentioned programme. This programme was presented to nine (N-9) kinship carers. Social group work as a method was used to present this programme to kinship carers. Article 4: The evaluation of a social group work intervention programme for kinship foster carers The aim of this article is to determine the effect of a social group work intervention program on the social functioning of kinship foster carers. Two standardized measurement instruments, The Generalized Contentment Scale and the Index of Parental Attitudes from Perspective Training College were used in this study. Nine (N=9) kinship foster carers formed the group and the program was administered to them. These instruments were used three times, once before intervention, once during intervention and once after intervention. A self-developed questionnaire was also used and the latter was only completed once after the intervention. The same was true for the interview schedule that was self-developed. Findings and interpretations for these measuring instruments are provided. In section C a summary of the findings and conclusions of the full research project is provided. Furthermore some recommendations are provided, followed by a discussion on the contribution of the study. Section D consists of various appendixes, such as measuring instruments used for data collecting purposes. Section E is concluded with a compound list of sources === Thesis (Ph.D. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.