Browsing by Author "Amukwelele, Dainess"

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    Views of social workers on implementation of child maltreatment prevention services in Namibia
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03) Amukwelele, Dainess; Strydom, Marianne; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Every country plans how it will ensure the protection of children from child maltreatment and other forms of abuse. Standards such as legislation, culture and religion usually shape how society should plan and choose to protect children. These choices may have an effect on the childhood of children and may shape their future. As there is an increase of child maltreatment cases in Namibia, the researcher undertook a study of the views of social workers on the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services in Namibia The study aimed at investigating the views of social workers in the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services. A literature review was compiled describing the policies and legislation utilised in the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services and exploring the ecological perspective and the systems theory as well as the welfare services rendered in the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services. Following this an empirical investigation was conducted which made use of qualitative research methodology and employed explorative and descriptive research designs. Purposive non-probability sampling was utilised which involved social workers at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. In this study twenty social workers took part as participants. One of the most important conclusions made was that social workers experience challenges in the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services especially at primary prevention level. The main challenges were high caseloads and a shortage of social workers. The researcher made certain conclusions and recommendations with regards to the views of social workers on the implementation of child maltreatment prevention services, such as that early intervention programmes should be encouraged to foster prevention services at primary prevention level so that children do not need to go through maltreatment before it is addressed. In-service training for social workers on early intervention and prevention services should be prioritised and motivate social workers should be motivated through incentives.