Experiences of kinship foster parents
- Authors: Swanepoel, Judith Magrietha
- Date: 2012-03-01
- Subjects: Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster children -- South Africa , Foster parents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006517 , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster children -- South Africa , Foster parents -- South Africa
- Description: Kinship foster care as a field of study in social work has been neglected in South Africa. The difficulties currently experienced in obtaining unrelated foster parents, warrant a closer look at kinship foster care. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the distressing and joyful experiences of kinship foster parents in fostering a relative's child. Their role as kinship foster parents, and how it relates to their role as a relative of the child, was explored. The study further explored the impact which kinship foster care may have on the kinship parents' relationship with their extended family. A literature study was undertaken during which it was evident that kinship foster care is becoming increasingly popular as a placement option for children needing out-of-home care. An interview schedule was constructed and administered to the entire population, of one welfare organisatiOI:t, consisting of seventeen kinship foster parents. Twelve kinship foster parents participated in the study. This study therefore provides a limited picture on kinship foster care. The overall findings in this study showed that the majority of children in kinship care are cared for by the maternal families. When the respondents experience problems in obtaining the foster care grant, it could influence their relationship with the social workers. It seemed as if foster parents are under the impression that it is the task of social workers to see to the payments of these grants. From the sample, it seemed as if kinship foster parents are mostly sympathetic towards problems experienced by social workers which hinder them in their service delivery, and are willing to contact them if they experience any problems. It seemed as if most kinship foster parents enjoy fostering the child and receive emotional and financial support from their friends and family. Kinship foster parents' elationships with their family members (the parent of the child) could be influenced by that family member's involvement with a partner. The respondents were of the opinion that the relationship tends to be better if they accepted the partner of the parent as suitable
- Full Text:
- Authors: Swanepoel, Judith Magrietha
- Date: 2012-03-01
- Subjects: Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster children -- South Africa , Foster parents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:706 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006517 , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster children -- South Africa , Foster parents -- South Africa
- Description: Kinship foster care as a field of study in social work has been neglected in South Africa. The difficulties currently experienced in obtaining unrelated foster parents, warrant a closer look at kinship foster care. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the distressing and joyful experiences of kinship foster parents in fostering a relative's child. Their role as kinship foster parents, and how it relates to their role as a relative of the child, was explored. The study further explored the impact which kinship foster care may have on the kinship parents' relationship with their extended family. A literature study was undertaken during which it was evident that kinship foster care is becoming increasingly popular as a placement option for children needing out-of-home care. An interview schedule was constructed and administered to the entire population, of one welfare organisatiOI:t, consisting of seventeen kinship foster parents. Twelve kinship foster parents participated in the study. This study therefore provides a limited picture on kinship foster care. The overall findings in this study showed that the majority of children in kinship care are cared for by the maternal families. When the respondents experience problems in obtaining the foster care grant, it could influence their relationship with the social workers. It seemed as if foster parents are under the impression that it is the task of social workers to see to the payments of these grants. From the sample, it seemed as if kinship foster parents are mostly sympathetic towards problems experienced by social workers which hinder them in their service delivery, and are willing to contact them if they experience any problems. It seemed as if most kinship foster parents enjoy fostering the child and receive emotional and financial support from their friends and family. Kinship foster parents' elationships with their family members (the parent of the child) could be influenced by that family member's involvement with a partner. The respondents were of the opinion that the relationship tends to be better if they accepted the partner of the parent as suitable
- Full Text:
Foster care as a form of substitute care in the black community : an exploratory-descriptive study
- Authors: Sishuta, Happy Babalwa
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Foster home care -- South Africa , Kinship care -- South Africa , Children, Black -- Services for -- South Africa , Black people -- Services for -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3282 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006505 , Foster home care -- South Africa , Kinship care -- South Africa , Children, Black -- Services for -- South Africa , Black people -- Services for -- South Africa
- Description: Kinship care is increasingly supplementing the more traditional forms of out-of-home care. Because related foster care has potential great value, the possibility of placement with relatives needs to be explored first. At its best it provides the child love and security with known people and possibly in a familiar environment. Yet, important as it is, this area of practice is seriously underdeveloped - few publications especially in South Africa exist on how children fare in this arrangement. This situation exists in spite of the fact that many children find themselves in both legal as well as privately arranged related foster care placements. Equally of course no comprehensive study has been undertaken to study the black family's perception of formal foster care and their adjustment to formal foster care practice which for many is a new encounter in their lives. More clarity on these issues pertaining to kinship care will not only improve our understanding but can lead to a better service. Socio-political influences have weakened the mutual aid system in African families. This has resulted in needs· and problems which the African family find it difficult to deal with. This has prompted families to make use of non-family support particularly services from specialized and other welfare agencies. Formal foster care is a foreign practice to the black community as a result of their tradition and custom. It offers a new method of coping with child care problems and indicates a shift from the conventional patterns among South African blacks. As a result there is often confusion and a lack of understanding, making the community not to make proper use of this service. This study is exploratory-descriptive. The sample comprised thirty foster parents. The main objective of this study was to investigate the nature and practice of formal foster care in the black community with specific emphasis on related foster care and its perception. The study has raised a number of issues for practice and policy consideration. Notable findings were: the need to (1) promote much more active involvement of foster parents, foster child and their families (2) educate the community about foster care (3) prepare, train, support and supervise foster parents. The study revealed that these placements have become indistinguishable from natural parenthood and the foster children have become absorbed into the foster family. A need exists for permanency planning in foster care. It is hoped that the research findings will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and that more studies will be undertaken in future.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sishuta, Happy Babalwa
- Date: 1996
- Subjects: Foster home care -- South Africa , Kinship care -- South Africa , Children, Black -- Services for -- South Africa , Black people -- Services for -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3282 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006505 , Foster home care -- South Africa , Kinship care -- South Africa , Children, Black -- Services for -- South Africa , Black people -- Services for -- South Africa
- Description: Kinship care is increasingly supplementing the more traditional forms of out-of-home care. Because related foster care has potential great value, the possibility of placement with relatives needs to be explored first. At its best it provides the child love and security with known people and possibly in a familiar environment. Yet, important as it is, this area of practice is seriously underdeveloped - few publications especially in South Africa exist on how children fare in this arrangement. This situation exists in spite of the fact that many children find themselves in both legal as well as privately arranged related foster care placements. Equally of course no comprehensive study has been undertaken to study the black family's perception of formal foster care and their adjustment to formal foster care practice which for many is a new encounter in their lives. More clarity on these issues pertaining to kinship care will not only improve our understanding but can lead to a better service. Socio-political influences have weakened the mutual aid system in African families. This has resulted in needs· and problems which the African family find it difficult to deal with. This has prompted families to make use of non-family support particularly services from specialized and other welfare agencies. Formal foster care is a foreign practice to the black community as a result of their tradition and custom. It offers a new method of coping with child care problems and indicates a shift from the conventional patterns among South African blacks. As a result there is often confusion and a lack of understanding, making the community not to make proper use of this service. This study is exploratory-descriptive. The sample comprised thirty foster parents. The main objective of this study was to investigate the nature and practice of formal foster care in the black community with specific emphasis on related foster care and its perception. The study has raised a number of issues for practice and policy consideration. Notable findings were: the need to (1) promote much more active involvement of foster parents, foster child and their families (2) educate the community about foster care (3) prepare, train, support and supervise foster parents. The study revealed that these placements have become indistinguishable from natural parenthood and the foster children have become absorbed into the foster family. A need exists for permanency planning in foster care. It is hoped that the research findings will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and that more studies will be undertaken in future.
- Full Text:
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