Abstract
This study focuses on the management of child abuse in the South African public sector in general, and the partnership between the public sector and non-profit organisations that manage child abuse and neglect in particular. In this study, the challenge lies in unravelling the statutory and regulatory frameworks, structures and processes that are required to ensure effective intra- and inter-networking systems within the child protection system in South Africa. The dissertation presents an analytical analysis of child abuse and the management thereof by public-private partnerships, which consist of local, provincial and national government and non-profit organisations. This study investigates the governance of legislation, policy, strategies and structures for the management of abused children who were removed from their caregivers or parents’ care in the South African context. Co-operation between the public sector and non-governmental organisations in public-private partnerships in the field of child protection is not new to South Africa. What is new is to co-operate within a democratic governance system. The South African government has long-term contractual arrangements with professional social workers and auxiliary workers from non-governmental organisations to deliver the necessary services to abused children in need of care. Due to the severe shortage of social workers and auxiliary community workers, community-based organisations have become a significant role-player in the child protection system. The research approach entailed the application of unobtrusive research techniques as research analysis instruments based on a qualitative research paradigm. The critical analysis clearly showed that processes, strategies and structures in a public-private partnership environment should follow a dual approach to manage child abuse. In this regard, the abused and neglected child’s current behaviour and the trauma he/she is experiencing should be addressed. An important factor to consider is the lack of access to services in other systems due to the absence of working agreements and poor relationships between different sectors (such as social welfare and mental health)...
M.A. (Public Management and Governance)