The impact of the Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services (1999) on service providers in Tembisa, Gauteng Province

Abstract

Transformation of social service delivery began after 1994 with the establishment of the Reconstruction Development Programme. It was followed by the commitments made in the World Summit on Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995) with the emphasis on sustainable development. The Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services (1999) was introduced as a transformation tool to implement the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997). The researcher is working as a social worker in Tembisa and discovered in practice that there is little evidence of the transformation of social welfare services as stipulated in the Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services (1999). This study was part of a team effort among four researchers to investigate the impact of the Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services (1999) on service delivery in different communities in Gauteng. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the Financing Policy for Developmental Social Welfare Services (1999) on service delivery in Tembisa from the perspective of service providers. A quantitative research approach was utilized and data was gathered through a questionnaire. From the research findings, it was concluded that, although service providers have made progress with regard to transformation of social services to a developmental approach, many challenges remain with regard to fast tracking this transformation process. Recommendations based on the research findings and conclusions of the study indicated that transformation of social service delivery to a developmental approach depends on clearly defined guidelines to give direction to service providers on how to transform social services to a developmental approach. These guidelines should include training, partnerships, communication forums, monitoring and evaluation and practice of principles for developmental approach.