Ndou, N. D.Shilubane, N. H.Mafuna, J. L.Makhado, Princess Anne-Sheilah2024-10-032024-10-032024-09-06Makhado, P.A. 2024. Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/2705Ph.D. (Nursing Science)Department of Advanced Nursing ScienceBackground: The nonexistence of parents or adult caregivers in children’s lives is experienced by many children worldwide. Basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and protection from harm are among the many challenges faced by children heading families. Children heading families can be supported and live a quality life beyond the hardships they experience. A holistic approach can alleviate the hardships experienced by children heading families, through embarking on the identification of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo province, South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted at the homes of children heading families and chief’s kraal of Vhembe and Mopani districts in Limpopo province, South Africa. Phase 1: Research methodology: This study employed a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design. The population consisted of children heading families, children’s relatives, and community members. A non-probability purposive convenience sampling was used to select children heading families and snowball technique was used to select children’s relatives. Unstructured in-depth interview using an interview guide was used to collect data from children heading families and children’s relatives. Central questions were used to collect data from children heading families and children’s relatives. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from community members. The sample size of participants was determined by data saturation. Data was analyzed using Tech’s eight-step method. Data was transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and kept safe. A clearance certificate was obtained from the University of Venda Research Ethics Committee. Permission to conduct the study was requested from the traditional leaders of the villages. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were considered. Children who agreed to participate voluntarily signed an assent form, and children’s relatives and community members signed consent forms. Findings: The findings of the study revealed psychological, financial, social, and educational support challenges for children heading families, relatives, and community members. Children’s relatives and community members inadequately support children heading families. Phase 2: Development of strategies The researcher's 2020 study on the experiences of children heading families, revealed that children heading families were not receiving enough support from their relatives and community members. The findings prompted the researcher to conduct a study on the development of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Phase 3: Validation of strategies As stated in Chapter One, the study's objective guided the development of strategies. Validation of the strategy employed a qualitative approach using unstructured in-depth interviews. A group of expert panelists validated the results using the e=Delphi method. The expert panelists were retired registered nurses, retired educators, curriculum advisers, psychologists, social workers, pastors, self-employed, registered nurses, educators, traditional leaders, and ex-police. All experts had extensive experience and knowledge of taking care with children. Findings: The study revealed that children heading families face numerous challenges without adequate support from their relatives and community members. The study focused on the development of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Recommendations: Constant monitoring by children’s relatives and community members on the safety of children heading families. Protecting the safety of children heading families should be the Government's top priority and responsibility, especially in villages. Social workers are to visit the homes of children’s heading families regularly to constantly monitor the challenges faced by children. The traditional leaders play a crucial role in the communities and should be more involved in matters involving children heading families in their villages, and ought to have more authority over their roles and responsibilities. Educators should be provided with training on how to deal with children who come from families with no parent or caregiver. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that children heading families experience ineffective psycho-social, educational, financial, religious and spiritual challenges.1 online resource (xviii, 265 leaves) : color illustrationsenUniversity of VendaChildUCTDImproveSupportStrategyChild-heading family362.732096825Children -- Instititutional care -- South Afrca -- LimpopoChild care -- South Africa -- LimpopoHeads of households -- South Africa -- LimpopoFamily -- South Africa -- LimpopoThesisMakhado PA. Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa. []. , 2024 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Makhado, P. A. (2024). <i>Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa</i>. (). . Retrieved fromMakhado, Princess Anne-Sheilah. <i>"Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa."</i> ., , 2024.TY - Thesis AU - Makhado, Princess Anne-Sheilah AB - Background: The nonexistence of parents or adult caregivers in children’s lives is experienced by many children worldwide. Basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and protection from harm are among the many challenges faced by children heading families. Children heading families can be supported and live a quality life beyond the hardships they experience. A holistic approach can alleviate the hardships experienced by children heading families, through embarking on the identification of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo province, South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted at the homes of children heading families and chief’s kraal of Vhembe and Mopani districts in Limpopo province, South Africa. Phase 1: Research methodology: This study employed a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design. The population consisted of children heading families, children’s relatives, and community members. A non-probability purposive convenience sampling was used to select children heading families and snowball technique was used to select children’s relatives. Unstructured in-depth interview using an interview guide was used to collect data from children heading families and children’s relatives. Central questions were used to collect data from children heading families and children’s relatives. Focus group discussions were used to collect data from community members. The sample size of participants was determined by data saturation. Data was analyzed using Tech’s eight-step method. Data was transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and kept safe. A clearance certificate was obtained from the University of Venda Research Ethics Committee. Permission to conduct the study was requested from the traditional leaders of the villages. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were considered. Children who agreed to participate voluntarily signed an assent form, and children’s relatives and community members signed consent forms. Findings: The findings of the study revealed psychological, financial, social, and educational support challenges for children heading families, relatives, and community members. Children’s relatives and community members inadequately support children heading families. vi Phase 2: Development of strategies The researcher's 2020 study on the experiences of children heading families, revealed that children heading families were not receiving enough support from their relatives and community members. The findings prompted the researcher to conduct a study on the development of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Phase 3: Validation of strategies As stated in Chapter One, the study's objective guided the development of strategies. Validation of the strategy employed a qualitative approach using unstructured in-depth interviews. A group of expert panelists validated the results using the e=Delphi method. The expert panelists were retired registered nurses, retired educators, curriculum advisers, psychologists, social workers, pastors, self-employed, registered nurses, educators, traditional leaders, and ex-police. All experts had extensive experience and knowledge of taking care with children. Findings: The study revealed that children heading families face numerous challenges without adequate support from their relatives and community members. The study focused on the development of strategies to improve support for children heading families. Recommendations: Constant monitoring by children’s relatives and community members on the safety of children heading families. Protecting the safety of children heading families should be the Government's top priority and responsibility, especially in villages. Social workers are to visit the homes of children’s heading families regularly to constantly monitor the challenges faced by children. The traditional leaders play a crucial role in the communities and should be more involved in matters involving children heading families in their villages, and ought to have more authority over their roles and responsibilities. Educators should be provided with training on how to deal with children who come from families with no parent or caregiver. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that children heading families experience ineffective psycho-social, educational, financial, religious and spiritual challenges. DA - 2024-09-06 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - HUMANITIES and RELIGION::Languages and linguistics::Linguistic subjects::Children's language KW - Improve KW - Support KW - Strategy KW - Child-heading family LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2024 T1 - Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa TI - Strategies to improve support for children heading families in Limpopo Province, South africa UR - ER -