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Submission information
Submission Number: 201
Submission ID: 1315
Submission UUID: 1fc43fa4-0b5b-4760-98fa-d2d787e0dc29
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:18
Completed: Fri, 06/27/2025 - 07:41
Changed: Thu, 08/14/2025 - 13:15
Remote IP address: 105.245.115.159
Submitted by: dhludsl@unisa.ac.za
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Dr.
Dhludhlu
Sandile
University of south afric
Senior Lecturer and Researcher with nine years of academic experience in Social Work. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, supervised master's and PhD students, and presented at national and international conferences. His areas of expertise include statutory social work, youth leaving care, and social policy. From 2009 to 2015, he worked at the Department of Social Development, handling children’s court investigations, client intake, report writing, and community outreach. He is an effective communicator skilled in both in-person and virtual teaching, with a strong ability to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences.
Yes
Ms.
Mphephu
Azwidohwi
University of South Africa (PHD Candidate)
Social worker with ten years of experience in intake and fieldwork practice. From 2015 to 2023, she served at the Gauteng Department of Social Development, where her duties included children’s court investigations, client intake, report writing, and community outreach. She is a skilled communicator, experienced in both in-person and virtual counselling. She currently works for the Department of Health.
No
Abstract
Fostering teenagers: Exploring the challenges and coping strategies of foster parents in Mogale City
THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice
SUB 3.3 Social workers as advocates for environmental rights and sustainability.
Oral Presentation
Abstract
In South Africa, foster care serves as one of the options for providing care and protection to children within their family of origin. However, this arrangement often presents challenges for foster parents, who may experience various difficulties in raising their teenage foster children. The primary goal of this study was to explore the challenges and coping strategies of foster parents raising teenage foster children. This qualitative study explored, described, and contextualised the challenges that are faced by foster parents raising teenage foster children. The study’s findings revealed that teenage foster children’s foster parents face various challenges in raising them. The challenges include teenage foster children back chatting their parents, coming home late at night, abusing substances, and demanding expensive clothes. However, foster parents reported various copying strategies that they adopted to survive the challenges that they faced. The study recommends that teenage foster children’s foster parents must receive ongoing support to enhance their coping strategies. The support may include the development of support groups, ongoing foster care supervision, and counselling for foster parents. The study provides empirical evidence that can influence social welfare policies, ensuring adequate financial, emotional, and psychological support for foster families.
Keywords: foster parents, teenage foster children, experiences, challenges, coping strategies, raising
In South Africa, foster care serves as one of the options for providing care and protection to children within their family of origin. However, this arrangement often presents challenges for foster parents, who may experience various difficulties in raising their teenage foster children. The primary goal of this study was to explore the challenges and coping strategies of foster parents raising teenage foster children. This qualitative study explored, described, and contextualised the challenges that are faced by foster parents raising teenage foster children. The study’s findings revealed that teenage foster children’s foster parents face various challenges in raising them. The challenges include teenage foster children back chatting their parents, coming home late at night, abusing substances, and demanding expensive clothes. However, foster parents reported various copying strategies that they adopted to survive the challenges that they faced. The study recommends that teenage foster children’s foster parents must receive ongoing support to enhance their coping strategies. The support may include the development of support groups, ongoing foster care supervision, and counselling for foster parents. The study provides empirical evidence that can influence social welfare policies, ensuring adequate financial, emotional, and psychological support for foster families.
Keywords: foster parents, teenage foster children, experiences, challenges, coping strategies, raising
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Professor
Mbongeni
Sithole
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Prof
Roelf
Reyneke
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted