The Effects of the Foster-care Backlog on Prospective Beneficiaries in Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District: Limpopo Province

Abstract

The goal of foster care is to ensure that children are provided with the necessary care and protection they are entitled to as children which is intended to allow them to , grow and develop in a safe and healthy environment. However, there is a backlog of applications presenting a severe challenge to the Department of Social Development, thus, negatively impacting the lives of its intended beneficiaries. The aim of the study was to explore the effects of the foster-care backlog on prospective beneficiaries in the Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province. A qualitative research approach was employed to achieve the above aim and to understand the participants’ perceptions. The objectives of the study were to explore the contributory factors for the non-placement of prospective beneficiaries on the foster-care grant system; to describe the views of prospectivebeneficiaries on foster-care applications’ backlog; to describe the effects of foster-care applications’ backlog on prospective beneficiaries; to recommend solutions that could address the foster-care backlog. The study employed an exploratory qualitative research design to understand the phenomenon under study. Data was collected through semi structured and unstructured interviews. Non-probability sampling was utilized as a sampling procedure in the study. Data was analyzed thematically guided by Creswell (2017). The study employed the systems theory as the theoretical framework, based on that it is preceded on the fact that individuals and families do not exist in isolation but within broader societal relationships; if one part of the system is interrupted; it affects the whole system. If children are not taken care of, it destabilizes society’s fabric, which might exacerbate social ills. The findings as per the participants responses highlighted that there is a lack of supervision on the other end leading to a backlog of unattended cases, It is evident that the social workers are not visible in supervision. Their difficulties to manage the foster care cases seems to be associated with a lack of resources, high caseload, and quality versus quantity in social services. The participants maintained that they relied largely on their other grants such as old age grant to make a living.