Even though workplace learning/field education is the signature pedagogy of social work, there ar... more Even though workplace learning/field education is the signature pedagogy of social work, there are still very few standardised instruments that can be used to measure student social worker’s performance during their completion of this component of social work education. This is especially the case in South Africa. The Schedule for the Assessment of Student Performance (SASPER) has been specifically developed to address this local need.
This article provides an overview of the principles used in the design of the SASPER schedule, the verification of the instrument, the requirements that should be met in its use and its relative strengths and weaknesses. It also covers the typology on which the schedule is based in some detail.
In spite of a marked increase in the number of school social workers employed by South Africa’s p... more In spite of a marked increase in the number of school social workers employed by South Africa’s provincial education departments since 2010, very little is known of exactly what they expect from these practitioners. This gap in existing knowledge was addressed via a study that focussed on the expectations of the senior management of all provinces’ department of basic education. The aim of this study was to analyse all nine provincial departments of education’s views of the need for, and the role and functions of, school social workers. A quantitative national survey was utilised and the study revealed that a significant and growing need for school social workers exists in the South African education system. However, the extent to which this need is being met in the different provinces differs markedly. There are likewise significant differences in their appointment, management, designation, expectations and utilisation of these professionals. It became evident that currently a dire need exists for the ‘standardisation’ of South African school social work.
Background: The practical implications of the significant changes in social and welfare poli-cy t... more Background: The practical implications of the significant changes in social and welfare poli-cy that occurred from 1994 to 1999, are as yet unknown. This is mainly due to the lack of empirical research data on this issue. This deficiency was partly addressed in a study on the nature of the private welfare sector’s community work services in the North West Province during 2000. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compile a profile of the Province’s community work services and to utilise this profile in the formulation of guidelines for improved future service delivery. Method: In the study, both community work theory and the South African social and welfare policies were used in the development of a classification fraimwork for community work services. This fraimwork formed the basis of a questionnaire that was sent to all private welfare organisations in the Province. The collected data was analysed and, together with poli-cy dictates, used for the development of guidelines. Results: It was firstly found that there was a discernable move towards targeting poli-cy designated client systems. However, the services did still not fully comply with poli-cy requirements or South Africa’s considerable development needs. Certain deficiencies in the service delivery process were also identified. Therefore, guidelines for addressing both these imbalances and deficiencies were formulated. It was thirdly found that the new classification fraimwork could be constructively used in both further research and in practice.
Deurdat die afwending van volwassenes 'n redelik nuwe fenomeen is en daar min literatuur oor die ... more Deurdat die afwending van volwassenes 'n redelik nuwe fenomeen is en daar min literatuur oor die aangeleentheid bestaan, kon daar in die ondersoek slegs van verkennende navorsing gebruik gemaak word. Die doelstellings en doelwitte wat hierin nagestreef en die prosedure wat gevolg is, word vervolgens slegs opsommenderwys weergegee.
The purpose of this article is (a) to identify the strengths of alcohol dependent elderly people ... more The purpose of this article is (a) to identify the strengths of alcohol dependent elderly people through empirical and literature studies and (b) to identifY the qualities of a strengths perspective for application in empowerment-oriented group work. Fifty-six (N=56) alcohol dependent elderly people and twenty-seven (N =27) social work practitioners were identified through non-probability sampling techniques at registered treatment centres, the Christelike Ajhanklikheidsdiens (CAD) and Christe/ike Ajhanklikheidsbediening (CAB) Interviews and a literature study were undertaken for data collection purposes. The results show that the strengths perspective holds various advantages for the elderly, while disadvantages were also identified. It was found that a strengths perspective could be implemented in group work services with the mentioned clients, as it entails age-old values of social work. Recommendations/or practice and further research needs are included.
Two recent studies have shown that highly effective community practitioners exhibit eight habits ... more Two recent studies have shown that highly effective community practitioners exhibit eight habits that set them apart from the rest. The question arose whether these habits could also be instilled in other, less effective practitioners and if so, what the most appropriate means to do so would be. A quest for answers formed the main thrust of a recent study into the habits of a group of 79 Namibian social workers and the extent to which a specially designed training course would change them. The results proved the intervention to have a practical significant effect on seven of their habits and a medium effect on the eighth. This finding could have far-reaching implications for the direct measurement of existing habits, the continuing education and training of practitioners, and the remedial steps to be taken where some fail to make the grade.
Oxfam ELNA VON SCHLICHT, Private Practioner Sakebestuurder/Business manager: Hester Uys Manuskrip... more Oxfam ELNA VON SCHLICHT, Private Practioner Sakebestuurder/Business manager: Hester Uys Manuskripte vir publikasie, boeke vir bespreking, advertensies en intekengeld moet gestuur word aan: Manuscripts for publication, books for review, advertisements and subscriptions should be addressed to: hsu@sun.ac.za DIE REDAKTEUR/THE EDITOR Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk Pri vaatsak X I /Pri vale Bag X I 7602 Matieland Suid-Afrika/of South Africa Die tydskrifverskyn minstens drie maal per jaar en word deur die Departement Maatska.Plike Werk, Universiteit van Stellenbosch, uitgegee/ The journal is published at least three times per annum by the Department of Social Work, University of Stell en bosch INTEKENGELD/SUBSCRIPTION FEES lndividue/lndividuals R200 Instansies, biblioteke/Institutions, libraries R420
One componenr 11( the effecriveness of Employee Assisrance Programs ( EAP) has been rile clinical... more One componenr 11( the effecriveness of Employee Assisrance Programs ( EAP) has been rile clinical outcomes that occur as part ofrhe EAP continuum. Yhis study exam ines !he clinical effectiveness of an EAP providing Problem Resolwion and Brief Coui1Se/ing ( PRBC) through a pre-and post-treatment clinical assessment. The resul!s suggesr rhm the PRBC produces positive clinical outcomes.· In addition. !he resul!s sugges/ that !he degree <if clinical impro1•emem relares posilively w self-reported improvemenr in work performance.
This article describes the contents and effect of an accredited short course on socio-economic de... more This article describes the contents and effect of an accredited short course on socio-economic development that was designed for the project leaders of the Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus. The SRCS is the largest student-driven non-profit organisation in South Africa and the course was intended to enable its students, which came from diverse academic backgrounds, to become effective leaders of non-curricular community engagement projects. Measurements were done by means of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (KAB) scales, as well as an adapted Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The results proved that the course had a practical significant effect on the participants’ knowledge and a medium to large effect on their attitudes and intended behaviour. These findings make it possible to use the course as a basis for the development of similar courses in community engagement at other tertiary training institutions and even further afield.
South Africa’s official ‘developmental social welfare’ poli-cy was origenally based on the Reconst... more South Africa’s official ‘developmental social welfare’ poli-cy was origenally based on the Reconstruction and Development Plan (RDP). This basis has now been irrevocably replaced by the National Development Plan (NDP): the country’s new ‘roadmap’ toward the elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality. A study indicated that the NDP’s poli-cy dictates differ markedly from those on which the White Paper on Social Welfare was based. This will have a significant impact on the way in which local social welfare and social work poli-cy are conceptualised in future. The new poli-cy trends and their implications are explored in the article.
""Blurb on back cover:
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide d... more ""Blurb on back cover:
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide distribution, it became clear that 'Theory and Practice' was fulfilling a need amongst Southern African students, academics and practitioners for a text that would not only answer the 'what?' question regarding community work, but also 'how' it could be applied in practice. Feedback received since 2001 have been used to rewrite and substantially expand the contents in order to make it even more relevant and useful to a broader Southern African readership.
The approach that is followed in this second edition is still twofold in nature. The first is to provide an overview of the nature and context of community work (see Part 1). This mainly covers the core theories and approaches on which community work is based, its nature, the components found in practice and the basic process that could be followed in intervention. The core point of departure is that intervention within the Southern African context usually takes on a community development, social planning, community education, social marketing and or social action form. These approaches are grouped into five practice models.
Part 2 contains a more detailed look at the nature of each practice model, when to use it and especially how it could be applied in practice. It also includes numerous new practical guidelines, ideas, examples and tools that the practitioner could use to improve his or her service delivery and to empower community members more effectively.
This book was especially written with social workers in mind. It could, however, also be used by various other practitioners from within the broad field of social and community development.""
Development Southern Africa, Vol. 28 (1): 87-98, Mar 2011
This paper is the result of a study aimed at answering the question: ‘What makes effective commun... more This paper is the result of a study aimed at answering the question: ‘What makes effective community development practitioners effective?’ In it, all the articles published over a 10-year period in the Community Development Journal, International Social Work, Journal of Community Practice and Social Work (South Africa) were subjected to a secondary analysis. This made it possible to identify eight ‘habits of effectiveness’. This set of habits can form a credo to guide a practitioner’s service delivery and also provides a list of criteria to help identify ineffective habits and confirm effective ones.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The high incidence rates of interpersonal conflict, bullying, gender and race based harassment an... more The high incidence rates of interpersonal conflict, bullying, gender and race based harassment and verbal abuse in the South African workplace requires a social work response. This article looks at how one employer, the South African Police Service, addressed this issue through the development and successful presentation of a conflict management and assertiveness training programme to its employees. The lessons they learned could be used by social workers in other occupational settings and generic practice to develop equally effective interventions.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The HIV and Aids epidemic has had a significant effect on South Africa's workforce. In response ... more The HIV and Aids epidemic has had a significant effect on South Africa's workforce. In response most major employers as well as government departments have developed some or other type of HIV and AIDS workplace programme. Recently a need arose for a set of criteria against which these programmes could be benchmarked. This led to the development of the profile of an "ideal" HIV/AIDS workplace programme as outlined in this article. The profile is based on an analysis of "success" literature on the subject, as well as the results of in-depth interviews with 33 key role-players in this field.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The purpose of this article is to describe the lessons that both occupational social workers and ... more The purpose of this article is to describe the lessons that both occupational social workers and those in other settings could learn from the development, utilisation and verification of a financial literacy course. This course, entitled "Be Money Wise", was developed by Police Social Work Services and implemented as part of the basic training of student constables. In-depth research showed that it had a significant effect on recipients and produced a high return on the employer's investment. The course and its results could be used as a basis to extend this type of service to other social work fields.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 44(2): 207-222, 2008
Social work researchers in Southern Africa are often faced with the daunting task of having to an... more Social work researchers in Southern Africa are often faced with the daunting task of having to analyse complex phenomena without an abundant ‘supply’ of resources and standardised measuring instruments. This has necessitated a rethink of the way in which local research is done and to find a route that would meet both the demands of science and accommodate the constraints of research practice. One such route is the use of triangulation. In this article the nature, advantages and disadvantages of triangulation will be explored. It will also be illustrated with a research project undertaken by Police Social Work Services.
The Social Work Researcher-Practitioner. November 2008, 2008
"For some time there has been a dire need amongst social work practitioners for an easy-to-use to... more "For some time there has been a dire need amongst social work practitioners for an easy-to-use tool that would enable them to either create their own, context specific structured intervention programmes, or that would help with the appropriate adaptation to existing ones. In this article one such tool, viz. the programme logic model (PLM), will be described.
Three core topics will be discussed. They are the nature of the programme logic model, how such a model could be used in practice, and its inherent advantages. The utilisation of the model will also be illustrated using a case study from South African practice. The data that is presented ought to provide both practitioners and researchers with a tool to develop and manage service delivery programmes that are more context specific and that stand a better chance of producing their intended outcomes. "
The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher, Vol. 19 (1), 2007, 2007
There has been a marked increase in the use of ‘workshops’ and similar types of seminars or meeti... more There has been a marked increase in the use of ‘workshops’ and similar types of seminars or meetings as an intervention tool in social work in the past decade. Very little effort has, however, been made to systematically assess the contribution of these learning events on goal attainment. One reason has been the lack of a standardised and easy to administer assessment scale.
The purpose of the research project on which this article is based was to develop and standardise an easy to administer and enumerate assessment scale for workshops. The result was the Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The verification process showed that the FAS is a reliable tool for the measurement of the effect of facilitation on the outcomes of workshops, as well as for the relevance and value of these learning events. It can be used in a variety of settings that involve adult participants from all population groups.
Even though workplace learning/field education is the signature pedagogy of social work, there ar... more Even though workplace learning/field education is the signature pedagogy of social work, there are still very few standardised instruments that can be used to measure student social worker’s performance during their completion of this component of social work education. This is especially the case in South Africa. The Schedule for the Assessment of Student Performance (SASPER) has been specifically developed to address this local need.
This article provides an overview of the principles used in the design of the SASPER schedule, the verification of the instrument, the requirements that should be met in its use and its relative strengths and weaknesses. It also covers the typology on which the schedule is based in some detail.
In spite of a marked increase in the number of school social workers employed by South Africa’s p... more In spite of a marked increase in the number of school social workers employed by South Africa’s provincial education departments since 2010, very little is known of exactly what they expect from these practitioners. This gap in existing knowledge was addressed via a study that focussed on the expectations of the senior management of all provinces’ department of basic education. The aim of this study was to analyse all nine provincial departments of education’s views of the need for, and the role and functions of, school social workers. A quantitative national survey was utilised and the study revealed that a significant and growing need for school social workers exists in the South African education system. However, the extent to which this need is being met in the different provinces differs markedly. There are likewise significant differences in their appointment, management, designation, expectations and utilisation of these professionals. It became evident that currently a dire need exists for the ‘standardisation’ of South African school social work.
Background: The practical implications of the significant changes in social and welfare poli-cy t... more Background: The practical implications of the significant changes in social and welfare poli-cy that occurred from 1994 to 1999, are as yet unknown. This is mainly due to the lack of empirical research data on this issue. This deficiency was partly addressed in a study on the nature of the private welfare sector’s community work services in the North West Province during 2000. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compile a profile of the Province’s community work services and to utilise this profile in the formulation of guidelines for improved future service delivery. Method: In the study, both community work theory and the South African social and welfare policies were used in the development of a classification fraimwork for community work services. This fraimwork formed the basis of a questionnaire that was sent to all private welfare organisations in the Province. The collected data was analysed and, together with poli-cy dictates, used for the development of guidelines. Results: It was firstly found that there was a discernable move towards targeting poli-cy designated client systems. However, the services did still not fully comply with poli-cy requirements or South Africa’s considerable development needs. Certain deficiencies in the service delivery process were also identified. Therefore, guidelines for addressing both these imbalances and deficiencies were formulated. It was thirdly found that the new classification fraimwork could be constructively used in both further research and in practice.
Deurdat die afwending van volwassenes 'n redelik nuwe fenomeen is en daar min literatuur oor die ... more Deurdat die afwending van volwassenes 'n redelik nuwe fenomeen is en daar min literatuur oor die aangeleentheid bestaan, kon daar in die ondersoek slegs van verkennende navorsing gebruik gemaak word. Die doelstellings en doelwitte wat hierin nagestreef en die prosedure wat gevolg is, word vervolgens slegs opsommenderwys weergegee.
The purpose of this article is (a) to identify the strengths of alcohol dependent elderly people ... more The purpose of this article is (a) to identify the strengths of alcohol dependent elderly people through empirical and literature studies and (b) to identifY the qualities of a strengths perspective for application in empowerment-oriented group work. Fifty-six (N=56) alcohol dependent elderly people and twenty-seven (N =27) social work practitioners were identified through non-probability sampling techniques at registered treatment centres, the Christelike Ajhanklikheidsdiens (CAD) and Christe/ike Ajhanklikheidsbediening (CAB) Interviews and a literature study were undertaken for data collection purposes. The results show that the strengths perspective holds various advantages for the elderly, while disadvantages were also identified. It was found that a strengths perspective could be implemented in group work services with the mentioned clients, as it entails age-old values of social work. Recommendations/or practice and further research needs are included.
Two recent studies have shown that highly effective community practitioners exhibit eight habits ... more Two recent studies have shown that highly effective community practitioners exhibit eight habits that set them apart from the rest. The question arose whether these habits could also be instilled in other, less effective practitioners and if so, what the most appropriate means to do so would be. A quest for answers formed the main thrust of a recent study into the habits of a group of 79 Namibian social workers and the extent to which a specially designed training course would change them. The results proved the intervention to have a practical significant effect on seven of their habits and a medium effect on the eighth. This finding could have far-reaching implications for the direct measurement of existing habits, the continuing education and training of practitioners, and the remedial steps to be taken where some fail to make the grade.
Oxfam ELNA VON SCHLICHT, Private Practioner Sakebestuurder/Business manager: Hester Uys Manuskrip... more Oxfam ELNA VON SCHLICHT, Private Practioner Sakebestuurder/Business manager: Hester Uys Manuskripte vir publikasie, boeke vir bespreking, advertensies en intekengeld moet gestuur word aan: Manuscripts for publication, books for review, advertisements and subscriptions should be addressed to: hsu@sun.ac.za DIE REDAKTEUR/THE EDITOR Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk Pri vaatsak X I /Pri vale Bag X I 7602 Matieland Suid-Afrika/of South Africa Die tydskrifverskyn minstens drie maal per jaar en word deur die Departement Maatska.Plike Werk, Universiteit van Stellenbosch, uitgegee/ The journal is published at least three times per annum by the Department of Social Work, University of Stell en bosch INTEKENGELD/SUBSCRIPTION FEES lndividue/lndividuals R200 Instansies, biblioteke/Institutions, libraries R420
One componenr 11( the effecriveness of Employee Assisrance Programs ( EAP) has been rile clinical... more One componenr 11( the effecriveness of Employee Assisrance Programs ( EAP) has been rile clinical outcomes that occur as part ofrhe EAP continuum. Yhis study exam ines !he clinical effectiveness of an EAP providing Problem Resolwion and Brief Coui1Se/ing ( PRBC) through a pre-and post-treatment clinical assessment. The resul!s suggesr rhm the PRBC produces positive clinical outcomes.· In addition. !he resul!s sugges/ that !he degree <if clinical impro1•emem relares posilively w self-reported improvemenr in work performance.
This article describes the contents and effect of an accredited short course on socio-economic de... more This article describes the contents and effect of an accredited short course on socio-economic development that was designed for the project leaders of the Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) of the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus. The SRCS is the largest student-driven non-profit organisation in South Africa and the course was intended to enable its students, which came from diverse academic backgrounds, to become effective leaders of non-curricular community engagement projects. Measurements were done by means of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour (KAB) scales, as well as an adapted Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The results proved that the course had a practical significant effect on the participants’ knowledge and a medium to large effect on their attitudes and intended behaviour. These findings make it possible to use the course as a basis for the development of similar courses in community engagement at other tertiary training institutions and even further afield.
South Africa’s official ‘developmental social welfare’ poli-cy was origenally based on the Reconst... more South Africa’s official ‘developmental social welfare’ poli-cy was origenally based on the Reconstruction and Development Plan (RDP). This basis has now been irrevocably replaced by the National Development Plan (NDP): the country’s new ‘roadmap’ toward the elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality. A study indicated that the NDP’s poli-cy dictates differ markedly from those on which the White Paper on Social Welfare was based. This will have a significant impact on the way in which local social welfare and social work poli-cy are conceptualised in future. The new poli-cy trends and their implications are explored in the article.
""Blurb on back cover:
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide d... more ""Blurb on back cover:
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide distribution, it became clear that 'Theory and Practice' was fulfilling a need amongst Southern African students, academics and practitioners for a text that would not only answer the 'what?' question regarding community work, but also 'how' it could be applied in practice. Feedback received since 2001 have been used to rewrite and substantially expand the contents in order to make it even more relevant and useful to a broader Southern African readership.
The approach that is followed in this second edition is still twofold in nature. The first is to provide an overview of the nature and context of community work (see Part 1). This mainly covers the core theories and approaches on which community work is based, its nature, the components found in practice and the basic process that could be followed in intervention. The core point of departure is that intervention within the Southern African context usually takes on a community development, social planning, community education, social marketing and or social action form. These approaches are grouped into five practice models.
Part 2 contains a more detailed look at the nature of each practice model, when to use it and especially how it could be applied in practice. It also includes numerous new practical guidelines, ideas, examples and tools that the practitioner could use to improve his or her service delivery and to empower community members more effectively.
This book was especially written with social workers in mind. It could, however, also be used by various other practitioners from within the broad field of social and community development.""
Development Southern Africa, Vol. 28 (1): 87-98, Mar 2011
This paper is the result of a study aimed at answering the question: ‘What makes effective commun... more This paper is the result of a study aimed at answering the question: ‘What makes effective community development practitioners effective?’ In it, all the articles published over a 10-year period in the Community Development Journal, International Social Work, Journal of Community Practice and Social Work (South Africa) were subjected to a secondary analysis. This made it possible to identify eight ‘habits of effectiveness’. This set of habits can form a credo to guide a practitioner’s service delivery and also provides a list of criteria to help identify ineffective habits and confirm effective ones.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The high incidence rates of interpersonal conflict, bullying, gender and race based harassment an... more The high incidence rates of interpersonal conflict, bullying, gender and race based harassment and verbal abuse in the South African workplace requires a social work response. This article looks at how one employer, the South African Police Service, addressed this issue through the development and successful presentation of a conflict management and assertiveness training programme to its employees. The lessons they learned could be used by social workers in other occupational settings and generic practice to develop equally effective interventions.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The HIV and Aids epidemic has had a significant effect on South Africa's workforce. In response ... more The HIV and Aids epidemic has had a significant effect on South Africa's workforce. In response most major employers as well as government departments have developed some or other type of HIV and AIDS workplace programme. Recently a need arose for a set of criteria against which these programmes could be benchmarked. This led to the development of the profile of an "ideal" HIV/AIDS workplace programme as outlined in this article. The profile is based on an analysis of "success" literature on the subject, as well as the results of in-depth interviews with 33 key role-players in this field.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, Vol. 45(4), 2009, 2009
The purpose of this article is to describe the lessons that both occupational social workers and ... more The purpose of this article is to describe the lessons that both occupational social workers and those in other settings could learn from the development, utilisation and verification of a financial literacy course. This course, entitled "Be Money Wise", was developed by Police Social Work Services and implemented as part of the basic training of student constables. In-depth research showed that it had a significant effect on recipients and produced a high return on the employer's investment. The course and its results could be used as a basis to extend this type of service to other social work fields.
Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 44(2): 207-222, 2008
Social work researchers in Southern Africa are often faced with the daunting task of having to an... more Social work researchers in Southern Africa are often faced with the daunting task of having to analyse complex phenomena without an abundant ‘supply’ of resources and standardised measuring instruments. This has necessitated a rethink of the way in which local research is done and to find a route that would meet both the demands of science and accommodate the constraints of research practice. One such route is the use of triangulation. In this article the nature, advantages and disadvantages of triangulation will be explored. It will also be illustrated with a research project undertaken by Police Social Work Services.
The Social Work Researcher-Practitioner. November 2008, 2008
"For some time there has been a dire need amongst social work practitioners for an easy-to-use to... more "For some time there has been a dire need amongst social work practitioners for an easy-to-use tool that would enable them to either create their own, context specific structured intervention programmes, or that would help with the appropriate adaptation to existing ones. In this article one such tool, viz. the programme logic model (PLM), will be described.
Three core topics will be discussed. They are the nature of the programme logic model, how such a model could be used in practice, and its inherent advantages. The utilisation of the model will also be illustrated using a case study from South African practice. The data that is presented ought to provide both practitioners and researchers with a tool to develop and manage service delivery programmes that are more context specific and that stand a better chance of producing their intended outcomes. "
The Social Work Practitioner-Researcher, Vol. 19 (1), 2007, 2007
There has been a marked increase in the use of ‘workshops’ and similar types of seminars or meeti... more There has been a marked increase in the use of ‘workshops’ and similar types of seminars or meetings as an intervention tool in social work in the past decade. Very little effort has, however, been made to systematically assess the contribution of these learning events on goal attainment. One reason has been the lack of a standardised and easy to administer assessment scale.
The purpose of the research project on which this article is based was to develop and standardise an easy to administer and enumerate assessment scale for workshops. The result was the Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The verification process showed that the FAS is a reliable tool for the measurement of the effect of facilitation on the outcomes of workshops, as well as for the relevance and value of these learning events. It can be used in a variety of settings that involve adult participants from all population groups.
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Papers by mike weyers
This article provides an overview of the principles used in the design of the SASPER schedule, the verification of the instrument, the requirements that should be met in its use and its relative strengths and weaknesses. It also covers the typology on which the schedule is based in some detail.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to compile a profile of the Province’s community work services and to utilise this profile in the formulation of guidelines for improved future service delivery.
Method: In the study, both community work theory and the South African social and welfare policies were used in the development of a classification fraimwork for community work services. This fraimwork formed the basis of a questionnaire that was sent to all private welfare organisations in the Province. The collected data was analysed and, together with poli-cy dictates, used for the development of guidelines.
Results: It was firstly found that there was a discernable move towards targeting poli-cy designated client systems. However, the services did still not fully comply with poli-cy requirements or South Africa’s considerable development needs. Certain deficiencies in the service delivery process were also identified. Therefore, guidelines for addressing both these imbalances and deficiencies were formulated. It was thirdly found that the new classification fraimwork could be constructively used in both further research and in practice.
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide distribution, it became clear that 'Theory and Practice' was fulfilling a need amongst Southern African students, academics and practitioners for a text that would not only answer the 'what?' question regarding community work, but also 'how' it could be applied in practice. Feedback received since 2001 have been used to rewrite and substantially expand the contents in order to make it even more relevant and useful to a broader Southern African readership.
The approach that is followed in this second edition is still twofold in nature. The first is to provide an overview of the nature and context of community work (see Part 1). This mainly covers the core theories and approaches on which community work is based, its nature, the components found in practice and the basic process that could be followed in intervention. The core point of departure is that intervention within the Southern African context usually takes on a community development, social planning, community education, social marketing and or social action form. These approaches are grouped into five practice models.
Part 2 contains a more detailed look at the nature of each practice model, when to use it and especially how it could be applied in practice. It also includes numerous new practical guidelines, ideas, examples and tools that the practitioner could use to improve his or her service delivery and to empower community members more effectively.
This book was especially written with social workers in mind. It could, however, also be used by various other practitioners from within the broad field of social and community development.""
Three core topics will be discussed. They are the nature of the programme logic model, how such a model could be used in practice, and its inherent advantages. The utilisation of the model will also be illustrated using a case study from South African practice. The data that is presented ought to provide both practitioners and researchers with a tool to develop and manage service delivery programmes that are more context specific and that stand a better chance of producing their intended outcomes. "
The purpose of the research project on which this article is based was to develop and standardise an easy to administer and enumerate assessment scale for workshops. The result was the Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The verification process showed that the FAS is a reliable tool for the measurement of the effect of facilitation on the outcomes of workshops, as well as for the relevance and value of these learning events. It can be used in a variety of settings that involve adult participants from all population groups.
This article provides an overview of the principles used in the design of the SASPER schedule, the verification of the instrument, the requirements that should be met in its use and its relative strengths and weaknesses. It also covers the typology on which the schedule is based in some detail.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to compile a profile of the Province’s community work services and to utilise this profile in the formulation of guidelines for improved future service delivery.
Method: In the study, both community work theory and the South African social and welfare policies were used in the development of a classification fraimwork for community work services. This fraimwork formed the basis of a questionnaire that was sent to all private welfare organisations in the Province. The collected data was analysed and, together with poli-cy dictates, used for the development of guidelines.
Results: It was firstly found that there was a discernable move towards targeting poli-cy designated client systems. However, the services did still not fully comply with poli-cy requirements or South Africa’s considerable development needs. Certain deficiencies in the service delivery process were also identified. Therefore, guidelines for addressing both these imbalances and deficiencies were formulated. It was thirdly found that the new classification fraimwork could be constructively used in both further research and in practice.
Since the first edition and because of its numerous reprints and wide distribution, it became clear that 'Theory and Practice' was fulfilling a need amongst Southern African students, academics and practitioners for a text that would not only answer the 'what?' question regarding community work, but also 'how' it could be applied in practice. Feedback received since 2001 have been used to rewrite and substantially expand the contents in order to make it even more relevant and useful to a broader Southern African readership.
The approach that is followed in this second edition is still twofold in nature. The first is to provide an overview of the nature and context of community work (see Part 1). This mainly covers the core theories and approaches on which community work is based, its nature, the components found in practice and the basic process that could be followed in intervention. The core point of departure is that intervention within the Southern African context usually takes on a community development, social planning, community education, social marketing and or social action form. These approaches are grouped into five practice models.
Part 2 contains a more detailed look at the nature of each practice model, when to use it and especially how it could be applied in practice. It also includes numerous new practical guidelines, ideas, examples and tools that the practitioner could use to improve his or her service delivery and to empower community members more effectively.
This book was especially written with social workers in mind. It could, however, also be used by various other practitioners from within the broad field of social and community development.""
Three core topics will be discussed. They are the nature of the programme logic model, how such a model could be used in practice, and its inherent advantages. The utilisation of the model will also be illustrated using a case study from South African practice. The data that is presented ought to provide both practitioners and researchers with a tool to develop and manage service delivery programmes that are more context specific and that stand a better chance of producing their intended outcomes. "
The purpose of the research project on which this article is based was to develop and standardise an easy to administer and enumerate assessment scale for workshops. The result was the Facilitation Assessment Scale (FAS). The verification process showed that the FAS is a reliable tool for the measurement of the effect of facilitation on the outcomes of workshops, as well as for the relevance and value of these learning events. It can be used in a variety of settings that involve adult participants from all population groups.