Abstract
M.A. (Social Sciences)
Social, political and economical changes that take place in the present society, as well as new considerations within the Dutch Reformed Church, have necessitated an investigation into the mission, objectives and services of the Christelik-Maatskaplike
Raad of Johannesburg as a branch of the Sinodale Kommissie vir die Diens van Barmhartigheid of Southern Transvaal. This investigation has been done by means of the policy management process and the first 3 steps have been completed. A
qualitative approach has been used and the study can be described as exploratory/descriptive. The 13 social workers currently working at the CMR of
Johannesburg, as well as 5 members of the governing body of the CMR of Johannesburg were involved in the investigation. A questionaire completed by both groups, was used. The purpose of this questionaire was to determine to which extend the official viewpoints concerning the mission, objectives and services correspond with the perceptions of the social workers and members of the governing body. Two focus groups with the social workers took place while interviews with members of the governing body were held. The purpose of this was to determine how the respondents experience the current services of the CMR, which factors influence current services, how they want services to be and who the target group is, to which services should be redered. Apart from that a literature study on policy management as well as the activities of the SKDB of Southern Transvaal has been done. It was found that the perceptions of both the social workers and the members of the governing body concerning the mission, objectives and services of the CMR differ to a large extend from
the of"ficial viewpoints as explained in the constitution. Recommendations concerning the mission and objectives of the CMR have been made and guidelines have been set for the amendment of the policy concerning the rendering of services.