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Abstract

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205 submissions
# Operations Status Status Title Lastname Firstname eMail Institution Title of Presentatation Theme Selection Abstract
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Reyneke Roelf [email protected] University of the Free State The improvement of the psychosocial health and well-being of children: Lessons from the Thari-programme THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma Behavioural problems such as gang activity, substance abuse, volatile behaviour and class disruptions can negatively impact the health and well-being of children. The Adopt-a-school Foundation developed the Thari-program to provide psychosocial support to women and children. Interventions in schools, Safe Parks and a stakeholder forum strengthen the school community and promote the health and well-being of all. Eight schools in Botchabello, Free State that experienced high levels of gangsterism, poor academic results and other social issues formed part of this pilot project. Although a mixed methods approach (QUAL/quan) was followed to explore and describe the programme, this paper will only focus on two elements of the qualitative research: the behavioural problems children present with and the changes seen in schools during the implementation of the programme. Results show a decrease in gangsterism and psychosocial issues and less disruptive behaviour. Learners and educators also feel much safer in schools, and there was a change in the school culture. Lessons learned from this project will serve similar programs that would like to enhance the safety and well-being of school learners.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Hapazari Josphine [email protected] National University of Lesotho Title: An investigation of sexual violence against women mitigation strategies targeted at individuals and families: Case of Maseru district of Lesotho THEME 2: Building sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant communities through indigenous modalities, inter-sectoral collaborations, and partnerships Violence against women (VAW) perseveres worldwide despite efforts made by various governments, civic organizations, communities and individuals to combat this social problem. In this article, I will explore the VAW mitigation strategies that target individuals and families. I problematize the social construction of gender that occurs in most patriarchal families since it favours men over women, inculcating male supremacy. Therefore, I will elicit participants’ views on what individuals and families can do to curb VAW within their communities. Heise’s (1998) ecological model of violence against women will underpin this study. The study places focus on the ontogenic level and the micro-level only, unearthing VAW mitigation strategies that focus on individual people and families in rural and urban areas of Lesotho. Based on the findings I will make recommendations on what social workers can do to building sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant families that are capable of combating VAW. Results are envisaged to assist policy makers to proffer relevant social policies that are informed by empirical research.
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Rapholo Selelo Frank [email protected] University of Limpopo The Shutdown of Church Services During COVID-19 in South Africa: A Social Work Perspective THEME 2: Building sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant communities through indigenous modalities, inter-sectoral collaborations, and partnerships From a perspective of social work, this conceptual paper analyses the negative effect of the temporary closure of churches to stop the spread of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) on classical conservative Pentecostals in South Africa. The paper argues that physical church meetings provide spiritual resources needed to cope with life’s challenges and problems. Therefore, the closure of churches left the Pentecostal extremely vulnerable. Social workers are challenged to learn from Pentecostals the importance of people’s reliance on church meetings for spiritual resources needed to overcome life’s problems.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Sobantu Mziwandile [email protected] University of Johannesburg Rethinking Adequate Housing and Inclusive Neighbourhoods as a Strategy to Mitigate Vulnerabilities Against Older Persons THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma Particularly in South Africa, vulnerable populations contend with a nexus of interrelated vulnerabilities. As they age, senior citizens require optimum social care in safe and secure housing and neighbourhoods. UN SDG 11 stresses that as part of social policy, adequate housing is the bedrock for inclusive development to mitigate a myriad of physical and psychosocial risks particularly for vulnerable populations. Employing a human rights perspective, this qualitative study explored the intersection of housing and subjective wellbeing for older persons in a low-income community in Johannesburg. Data were collected from nine participants utilising semi-structured interviews. After transcription, it was analysed through content analysis. The study found out that the quality of housing and neighbourhood environment influenced their perceptions of vulnerability. Risks to sexual abuse was determined by overcrowding, for example. In conclusion, housing is not only just brick and mortar but also undergirds key social and economic relations that mitigate vulnerabilities.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Muleya Emmison [email protected] Gauteng Department of Social Development and University of Johannesburg Gauteng Provincial Strategy to empower and mitigate adult street homeless people against vulnerability: Progress and Challenges THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma South Africa has encountered several uncertainties, with coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic accentuating already existing vulnerabilities that include street homelessness. Inadequate housing street and homelessness undermine human dignity. In 2020, the Gauteng Provincial government mandated its Department of Social Development to develop an integrated multi-sectoral strategy to coordinate responses to address homelessness. Leaning towards Ubuntu and empowerment perspectives, this paper is a product of a synthesis of literature on homelessness and the authors’ practice observations of homelessness in the province. The paper explored progress and challenges of the Gauteng City Region Strategy to address adult street homelessness. Among others, the study found out that there is commendable progress to combat homelessness and mitigate the challenges that the homeless face. For example, provision of shelter and skills empowerment are some of the practical steps taken by government to empower the homeless. The paper recommends research to generate reliable data and improved stakeholder collaboration.
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Jordaan Leanne [email protected] University of Pretoria “Didn’t they teach you that at varsity?” A scoping review of continuing professional development for enhancing work readiness of newly qualified social workers THEME 4: Quality management and enhancement of social services Newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) are expected to be work ready; however, certain professional development can only take place within the work environment. The bridging process between obtaining a degree and entering the work place therefore requires specific support and development to enhance work readiness. A scoping review was conducted to map existing support and development needs, as well as the structures that have been developed for addressing these needs of NQSWs.
The review followed Arksey and O'Malley's methodology. Based on the PRIMSASc process of 10 electronic databases, 40 articles met the inclusion criteria for thematic analysis.
Identified support structures for NQSWs include protected caseloads, supervision and orientation programmes. The findings of the scoping review signal ways to cultivate a work environment characterised by lifelong learning and professional capacity building of NQSWs as they transition into the workplace. The paper contributes towards sub-theme 4.2, i.e. building professional capacity in social services professions.

Leanne Jordaan & Stephan Geyer
Department of Social Work & Criminology,
University of Pretoria
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Accepted Accepted Mr. RAMOSHABA DILLO JUSTIN [email protected] UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO Exclusion of Migrant Youth from the South African Welfare Services: A Case Study THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma This case study presents qualitative findings on migrant youth’s coping strategies on their exclusion from the welfare services of South Africa. South Africa like any other country experiences an increased number of young people who migrated from their countries of origin. Several studies show that immigrants including migrant youth upon their arrival in South Africa face challenges of exclusion from welfare services. It is from this background that this study sought to explore migrant youth’ coping strategies for their sustainable livelihoods. Ten migrant youth in Musina town who are accommodated in shelters managed by churches were used as a case study and were purposively and conveniently selected to participate in this study. Ethical certificate was obtained from the University of Limpopo research ethics committee and all sources are acknowledged. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically through the assistance of the Nvivo software. Resilience theory was used to guide this study. Findings reveal various coping strategies that migrant youth employ to mitigate their exclusion from the South African welfare services. Recommendations, integrated intervention, and future research are provided in this paper.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Chibaya Nyasha Hillary [email protected] University of Montreal The what, why and how of capacitating social service professionals regarding their roles in social protest actions THEME 4: Quality management and enhancement of social services The mandate to engage in socio-political action to attain social change is endorsed by both the Global definition of social work and the South African Council for Social Service Professions’ ethical code. However, genuine activism for human rights and social justice remains contentious to operationalise by social workers in South Africa. Among other factors, professional boundaries, reliance on government funding, professional and personal threats, and ineffective collaboration of the social work fraternity are central to the lack of involvement in social actions by social workers. These were some of the key findings in a qualitative study with four sampling cohorts, consisting of frontline social workers, their supervisors, organisational managers and academic experts on radical social work. The paper reflects on this research and presents recommendations to strengthen multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary responses that are essential to building the professional capacity of social service professionals regarding their roles in social protest actions.
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Accepted Accepted Ms. Muruzi Yeukai [email protected] University of Pretoria Gender-based violence experiences among women living with physical impairments: Towards integration of services to meet the needs of vulnerable women THEME 3: Strategies toward the normative development of society This study was a qualitative inquiry which sought to explore and describe gender-based violence encountered by women living with physical impairments in Tshwane Metro, Pretoria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve women and the findings revealed that they experienced physical, emotional, sexual, financial and structural violence. Certain risk factors increased the likelihood of the participants’ victimisation and these included stereotypes associated with physical impairments and non-disclosure of the violence experienced. The participants however adopted protective factors to prevent further violence and these included seeking professional help, disclosing violence to informal and formal sources of help and adopting self-acceptance to one’s condition. It was concluded that gender-based violence among women living with physical disabilities is a rarely known reality, tangled with the intersection of disability and gender. The matter calls for social workers’ multi-disciplinary collaborations in gender-based violence initiatives to protect this forgotten cohort at risk.
Key words: gender-based violence, experiences, women, physical disabilities.
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Engelbrecht Lambert [email protected] Stellenbosch University Reflective supervision in social work: Is “open door” and “on the run” supervision enough? THEME 4: Quality management and enhancement of social services Despite the extensively theorised benefits of reflective social work supervision, scant empirical studies exist to merit respective claims in South Africa. This paper reports on qualitative research, aimed at acquiring an understanding of what transpires in an individual social work supervision session in South Africa. A secondary research question focuses on whether these supervision sessions include any form of reflection. Based on semi-structured interviews with 20 frontline social workers from different organisations, findings reveal that supervision sessions are chiefly “open door” and “on the run”, with minimal evidence of critical reflection. A key recommendation stresses that the evolution of supervision in the country, and the building of social workers’ professional capacity should enter a new phase as response to the hegemony of a neoliberal inspired managerial discourse in social work. Thus, the deliberate utilisation of more clinical, educational and supportive elements, and critical reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action in supervision sessions is therefore recommended.
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Accepted Accepted Mr. Khosa Jeffries [email protected] University of Pretoria Provisioning of services by social workers and community volunteers to children in foster care living with HIV: The need for a collaborative effort THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma This paper discusses the services provided by social workers and community volunteers in the City of Johannesburg to children in foster care living with HIV. A mixed methods approach was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data using self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from a sample made up of both social workers and community volunteers. The results showed that even though social workers provided services to these children, the services were not adequate due to various challenges they faced. On the other hand, community volunteers provided HIV services that social workers could not. However, the was a lack of collaboration between the social workers and community volunteers. Therefore, this study recommends an inter-disciplinary collaboration between social workers and community volunteers to strengthen the services to children in foster care living with HIV.
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Geyer Stephan [email protected] Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria, South Africa Social support among South African older persons during COVID-19: Enhancing resilience through gerontological social services THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma Authors: Stephan Geyer, Barbra Teater & Jill Chonody

COVID-19 was managed through protective measures, such as physical distancing and the banning of social gatherings, with potentially negative consequences for older persons’ experience of social support. A cross-sectional study explored possible risk and protective factors of social support among a sample of South African community-dwelling older persons (N = 118). The online questionnaire incorporated the MOS Social Support Survey. Bivariate and regression analyses explored changes in social support pre- to during COVID-19 and the variables that contributed to emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate supports, positive social interaction, and overall social support. All types of social support decreased significantly during the pandemic. Gerontological social services, embedded in a socio-ecological perspective on resilience, are recommended to navigate towards desired social support. The paper contributes to sub-theme 1.2 to shed light on the protection of the psychological health and well-being of older persons.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. ERLANK ELIZABETH C [email protected] UNISA Navigating trauma-informed social work practice in a resource-limited context: Insights from social workers in the Waterberg District, South Africa THEME 4: Quality management and enhancement of social services Social workers are confronted with persons’ experiencing extreme levels of trauma in South African communities. However, limited research on social workers rendering trauma-informed services in South Africa has been documented. This study aimed to explore the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of social workers rendering trauma-informed social work services in the Department of Social Development (DSD), Waterberg District, Limpopo Province. A qualitative research approach and a phenomenological research design were utilised. The ecological systems theory and trauma-informed perspective were the underlining theoretical frameworks. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection from a sample of purposively selected social workers. The study complied with ethical principles. The evidence suggested a need for a trauma-informed organisational structure and workforce in the DSD. To build professional capacity, it is recommended that DSD’s current policies and procedures be adjusted to include an organisational trauma-informed perspective.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Ntshongwana Zintle [email protected] University of the Witwatersrand A REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA THEME 3: Strategies toward the normative development of society The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis that has negatively affected the ordinary functioning of people worldwide and continues to increase rapidly. The study sought to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-based violence in South Africa. To understand GBV against women, the radical feminist theory which is based on the oppression of women in a social order dominated by subordination, including through sexuality and bodies was used. Data were obtained from secondary sources, journal articles, news articles, and news reports on GBV. Findings indicate that COVID-19 restrictions and regulations have contributed to gender-based violence. The study also found a high prevalence of gender-based violence during the lockdown, particularly against women. These findings reflect that South Africa is fighting yet another deadly pandemic of gender-based violence. This study also provides implications for social work policy and practice. It can be concluded that this pandemic has brought massive misery across the world, especially regarding violence.

Key Words: COVID-19, pandemic, gender-based violence, lockdown, impact, women
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Accepted Accepted Prof. Van der Merwe Mariette [email protected] North-West University UNDERSTANDING THE VULNERABILITIES OF MIGRANTS LINKED TO THEIR LIFE STORIES AIMED AT TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma Globally people are displaced from their countries of origin due to war, traumatic exposure, atrocities, poverty, and climate change. Migration unfolds in distinct phases, namely the time in the country of origin, the journey to the new country, and the adaptation in the new country. All these phases have numerous challenges and adversities. This research focused on the life stories of migrants in the North West province, South Africa, to develop guidelines for trauma-informed social work. Narrative inquiry guided the research and data were collected with semi-structured interviews supported with visual data collection strategies (photo elicitation, a timeline, and the Tree of Life). Data were thematically analysed. Findings will be presented in the framework of the three time-spans. The challenges of the border crossing into South Africa of undocumented migrants were a particular concern. The presentation will conclude with guidelines for trauma-informed social work with migrants.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Simeon De Jager Elzahne [email protected] North West University Guidelines to assist social workers to prepare children for the children’s court. THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma The children’s court aims to protect children by acting in the best interests of the child. Another function of the children’s court is to determine whether a child needs care and protection (Children’s Act 38 of 2005). Court proceedings can be stressful for the child, who is already abused, neglected, and removed from their normal environment. There are limited resources within the South African context regarding the preparation of children for children’s court proceedings. This social work research study identified which guidelines could assist social workers in preparing children for children’s court proceedings. This was a qualitative study. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews by following a purposive sampling method with social workers from the Department of Social Development in the ZFM (Zwelentlanga Fatman Mgcawu) district with the purpose of exploring the views of social workers regarding the content of such a guideline. The findings indicated that social workers do not have a specific guideline to help them in preparing children for the children’s court. Some guidelines/themes that were identified by the social workers included: a guideline which is age appropriate, therapeutic techniques, understanding the need for the children’s court, mock trials, and a discussion on what happens next.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Moganedi Matshemo [email protected] University of Zululand The role of psychosocial services during adverse events and resultant trauma from a Human rights perspective THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, herein referred to as the Constitution, affirms that all human beings are having human rights. Despite this affirmation, human beings and particularly women and children, go through victimisation either by a stranger or somebody known to them. These victimisations, depending on its intensity, can cause trauma to the victim’s lives. In dealing with these damages (physical, emotional, psychological and otherwise), psycho-social support services are rendered. Resilience theory became a lens. This study was qualitative in nature, and desk-top review was employed to collect data. Document analysis was used. The findings are that adverse events can be traumatic and needs psycho-social support services to help the survivors to develop resilience. Adverse events can take place during childhood and if left for long time without being addressed, can cause post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Moganedi Matshemo [email protected] University of Zululand Promoting positive role models in gender relational contexts THEME 3: Strategies toward the normative development of society Gender based violence (GBV) is a global challenge, affecting everyone including men and does not consider human right as per the South African Constitution. Even though the statistics indicate that majority of the victims are women and children, men are not immune to this challenge. This study followed qualitative approach and desk top review was used for data collection. Empowerment theory served as a lens. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings are that there are good men (positive role models) who respect women and children as human beings. These men continue to raise awareness in communities and are leading by example of being good fathers, husbands, brothers, and community leaders. Even though GBV continue to hit the world hard, positive male role models are making a difference in their small spaces. Good practice can be learnt from those men and be adopted
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Boshoff Pieter [email protected] North-West University Potchefstroom Campus ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COPING STYLES AND SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS AMONG FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma Forensic social work in South Africa is challenging, increasing the likelihood of secondary traumatic stress among its practitioners. Proactive coping strategies are necessary to reduce the impact of secondary traumatic stress on forensic social workers. The aim of this study was to describe the association between the frequency of different coping styles and the frequency of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in forensic social workers. The study applied a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional descriptive design. An all-inclusive willing participation sampling method was used, focussing on all qualified Forensic Social Workers who graduated from a South African university. IMB SPSS Statistics version 28.0 was used to analyse the data. The study found that avoidant and emotion-focused coping styles were linked to an increase in secondary traumatic stress symptoms. Employers and clinicians can assist forensic social workers by providing strategies that promote problem-focused coping styles to reduce perceived secondary traumatic stress symptoms.
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Accepted Accepted Dr. Boshoff Pieter [email protected] North-West University Potchefstroom Campus THE EFFECTS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RISK FACTORS IN FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKERS’ EXPERIENCE OF SECONDARY TRAUMATIC STRESS THEME 1: Promoting stakeholder partnerships that protect, support and enhance resilience during adverse events and trauma The primary focus of this study is secondary traumatic stress (STS) among forensic social workers, who are exposed indirectly to distressing narratives from sexually abused children. Unlike general social workers, they face the dual challenge of serving as both expert witnesses and therapists. The research aims to explore the impact of internal and external risk factors on STS experiences in forensic social workers, a topic that has received limited attention in international and South African studies. An all-inclusive willing participation sampling method was used, focussing on all qualified Forensic Social Workers who graduated from a South African university between 2006 and 2019. The study utilized a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design, employing Google Forms distributed via email to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0. The findings indicate that internal factors, such as race and relationship status, and external factors, including clinical supervision, social support, and exposure to traumatic criminal events, had varying effects on STS symptoms.
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2023 Conference

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