Social workers' evaluation of the residential care system project-go in Gauteng Province

Abstract

The transformation of the child and youth care system in conjunction with Project-Go, the unblocking of the residential care system, has laid a cornerstone for the development of a family-motivation behind protecting children's rights includes a re-emphasis of the need to move away from the traditional pathology-based and deficitbased and child-friendly approach to service delivery. The s-based models toward the developmental and strengths-based approach. This article reports on a study conducted in the Gauteng province among probation officers and social workers that are working with children and youths in residential care facilities. The study assumed that if social workers have a clear knowledge and understanding of, and a positive attitude toward, the Project-Go concept and process, implementation would then be successful in improving the lives of children, youths, and families. The research findings indicated that social workers have a clear knowledge and understanding of the concept and process of Project-Go, that they support the principles and philosophy of this concept, and share the same values and beliefs about family preservation and family reunification. However, some social workers have very specific perceptions and concerns with regard to the planning, design, and implementation of Project-Go. The article concludes with specific recommendations in this regard.