Procedures and methods utilised by social workers within Gauteng during the selection process of prospective foster parents

Abstract

Within the context of South Africa, literature is limited and no standardised process with regard to the screening of prospective foster parents could be found. Inconsistency within foster care related services rendered by social workers results in the lack of standardisation. Foster care related decisions were found to be based on the intuition, experience and expertise of the social workers. The aim of the research study was to compile a critical review of assessment procedures and methods that are being utilised by social workers within the Gauteng Province of South Africa during the screening process of prospective foster parents. A qualitative research approach was utilised in the study, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with social workers rendering foster care services. A self-designed interview schedule was utilised during the semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed from an audiorecorder and analysed through making use of the ATLAS.ti software. Prior to the abovementioned, the research participants had to compile a portfolio containing their screening method, procedure or manual. Furthermore, an anonymous case study had to be presented to reflect how the manual was used, which information was recorded as well as how this was used during decision-making. Section A represents the introduction to the research study, where the following aspects are discussed: research problem, research questions, rationale for the study, theoretical framework, aim and objectives, methodology and ethical matters. Section B presents the literature review that focuses on foster care within the South African context. This is followed by a discussion of the role of assessment during the foster care investigation phase, and the role of assessment procedures, measures and tools that contribute to the systematising of the foster care assessment process. The study explores the relevance of “Ecometrics” and assessment, and lastly presents a comparison between another study and the study of the researcher. Section C represents the research article that forms the outcome of the dissertation. The identified themes represent the proposed phases (steps) to be implemented during the screening process of prospective foster parents. The following themes are discussed in Section C: Theme 1: Office interview; Theme 2: Prospective foster parent training; Theme 3: Investigation; Theme 4: Foster committee and canalisation of reports; Theme 5: Children’s Court. Section D comprises the final conclusions, limitations and recommendations of the research study. Section E includes addenda that were relevant to the research study