Systems and processes towards implementing the developmental social welfare approach in social work in Lesotho

Abstract

Guided by the principles of the Lesotho National Social Development Policy (LNSDP), the social development approach in Lesotho is implemented through the Community Development Model (CDM) and the Lesotho National Social Protection Strategy (LNSPS). The goal of the study was to explore and describe systems and processes required for implementing the developmental social welfare approach in social work in Lesotho. The study adopted the social policy implementation theory and the social development approach as its theoretical frameworks. An applied mixed-methods research design was used to conduct the study. Parallel/concurrent mixed methods sampling techniques were used, combining quantitative probability sampling with qualitative purposive sampling. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 directors and managers of social welfare organisations, as well as document analysis. Quantitative data were gathered from 105 ground-level social workers through a survey administered via Qualtrics. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 24, and qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings show that social welfare organisations in Lesotho are integrating some key themes of developmental social welfare, particularly collaboration, human rights, and participation. However, economic empowerment and structural interventions remain underdeveloped. Although there is some conceptual convergence, limited knowledge, insufficient understanding, and inadequate skills and competences impede the effective implementation of the developmental social welfare approach. The study concludes that the approach requires a broader range of professional skills, continuous professional training, and clear dissemination of policy information. Effective and efficient implementation further depends on ongoing collaboration across all levels of the policy process, coherent policy guidance, and structured coordination among diverse stakeholders at political, policy, managerial, and administrative levels. The study proposes a guideline framework containing systems and processes towards implementing the developmental social welfare approach, embedded in the social development themes and contextualised in Lesotho. To operationalise this framework, the study recommends a comprehensive review of the LNSDP, national capacity building through training initiatives, and strategies to address the practice-level challenges.