The mentoring of officers commanding in the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS): a military social work perspective
Date
2009-03
Authors
Radebe, Chrystal
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
An exploratory research design together with a quantitative research approach were
chosen to determine whether military social workers possess the necessary
knowledge, skills and values to mentor Officers Commanding (OCs) in the South
African Military Health Service (SAMHS). The motivation for this study was based on
questions the researcher asked as to whether there was a link between the methods
in social work intervention processes, supervision and mentoring processes. During
the preliminary investigation, the researcher found that no prior research under this
specific subject was undertaken. The researcher also determined from her role as
consultant to Officers Commanding in the SAMHS, that whereas military social
workers received supervision upon joining the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF), OCs, received no formal mentoring. It was also found that although a
mentoring policy in the Department of Defence (DOD) existed, no evidence existed
that a mentoring programme was implemented in the SAMHS. The goal of the study
is therefore to provide military social workers with a framework of a mentoring
process for Officers Commanding in the SAMHS.
The literature study firstly focused on describing the military social work environment
in which the military social worker is employed, as well as theoretical frameworks that
guide the military social worker’s task. Although more than one theoretical framework
was discussed, the main focus was on the systems theory and ecological
perspective. The work environment of the OC was also included, as well as the
challenges of their functions, tasks and roles in the SAMHS. Primarily, the literature
study explored the knowledge, skills and values of the military social worker and the
mentoring process.
The sample that was selected for this study was 46 military social workers that
represented all the chief military social workers in specialist posts and those with a
higher ranking from Captain to Colonel. A quantitative investigation was undertaken
by means of a questionnaire which was completed in groups in the respective
provinces.
The results of the investigation largely confirmed the findings of the literature study
namely that military social workers do fit the requirements to mentor. These
requirements to mentor were evident in the results of the knowledge, skills and
values of military social workers and their understanding of the parallels between the methods in social work, supervision and the mentoring process. The results gave an
indication of the knowledge, skills and values of military social workers to mentor
Officers Commanding in the SAMHS, and the framework of the mentoring process
and how it relates to the casework, group work and supervision processes in social
work.
The recommendations demonstrated that a central body should be identified to coordinate
and plan a mentoring programme in the SAMHS. The recommendations
also include that the Directorate Social Work should provide clear guidelines on how
military social workers should implement the DOD Mentoring policy, and ensure that
military social workers are trained in staff development methods and its processes.
The recommendations included further research: both quantitative and qualitative
research by means of questionnaires and interviews with OCs, as well as monitoring
and evaluation of the mentoring process. This information will benefit military social
workers in their training as mentors. In implementing these recommendations,
military social workers will be able to contribute significantly to the development of
Officers Commanding in the SAMHS and the profession of social work.
Description
Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Theses -- Social work, Dissertations -- Social work