Abstract
M.A.
Social workers who are rendering statutory services to families are increasingly confronted
with a feeling of hopelessness when dealing with families where children can be described as
in need of care according to the Child Care Act The placement of these children in
alternative care does not necessarily offer a solution for the family or for the children's
problems. The out-of-home placement of children implies risks of its own. At the same time
social workers are overworked and cannot deliver the services necessary to protect the child
within its family.
The aim of this is to explore alternative services for families at risk. Family preservation,
more specifically intensive family preservation, was studied according to the Homebuilders
model, exploring the applicability of this model in a South African context.
A qualitative research methodology was utilised to explore the diverse experience of social
workers responsible for statutory work with high-risk families. The focus of this research is
therefore on the factors relevant to the implementation of an intensive family preservation
program in Pretoria. The theoretical basis of the Homebuilders model was studied and a
work protocol for the gathering and analysis of the data was compiled.
For the aim of this study a sample of social workers statutory involved in families, was used.
These social workers were invited to attend focus groups. The focus groups were held at the
various welfare agencies for the convenience of the social workers. The focus groups were
ideal for interviewing small groups. This made it possible for respondents to explore their
own reality. The data was gathered by means of field notes and transcribed audiotapes.
Analysis of data was done according to a schedule. This schedule was compiled from the data
gathered through the focus groups. The researcher and a co-coder both did coding in order
to compare the results. The researcher and the co-coder used the schedule for the coding of
transcribed audiotapes and field notes. Central themes were identified by using information obtained through data gathering and
analysis. The results were compared to relevant literature in order to further the reliability of
the research. The reliability of the study was examined on the basis of credibility,
dependability and confirmation.
From the study methodological and theoretical conclusions were drawn. The methodological
conclusion concerns the method of research, which was utilised in this study. Regarding the
contextual aims and context of the empirical study certain theoretical conclusions were
drawn. The results and conclusions indicated certain factors that play a role in the
implementation of intensive family preservation programs. Recommendations are presented
in the form of guidelines for the implementation of intensive family preservation programs.