Abstract:
Explores the management and treatment of abused children in residential care. The study is based on the assumption that carefully constructed treatment programmes exist which involve the abuser, the Child Care Worker and the Social Worker in order to help the abuser and attempt to break the cycle of abuse. The researcher approached 17 Children's Homes in the Western Cape to participate in the study and seven of these Children's Homes constituted the sample used in the research. Permission was obtained from the principals of the Children's Homes to interview the Social Worker and a Child Care Worker individually. Two of the selected Children's Homes were chosen randomly for a pilot study. The findings reflect that individualised treatment programmes are available for all children in residential care. The treatment and management of abused children do not differ since most children in residential care are regarded as having suffered some form of abuse prior to admission. The study highlights that the Child Care Worker and the Social Worker assume significant roles in the treatment and management of all children in care. While their tasks and roles differ, a degree of complementarity exists between the Social Worker and the Child Care Worker. The investigation also identifies that the abuser is not really involved in the treatment process.
