Components of a holistic family reunification services model for children in alternative care – a South African perspective

Abstract

The goal of alternative care is to ensure that children are well taken care of whilst the circumstances that led to their removal are being addressed. It is therefore imperative to have a holistic model that guides the implementation of family reunification services. In the absence of a guiding model, most children end up staying for longer periods in alternative care than needed. This article highlights several aspects of family reunification, based on a study conducted at child protection organisations in South Africa, which was underpinned by ubuntu and rights-based approaches, and employed a mixed methods research design. Data was collected from social workers by means of interviews and questionnaires and analysed using thematic analysis and a statistical package for social sciences. The components of a holistic family reunification services model are: the involvement of extended family members and significant others; guidelines for the role of a social worker; the standard of the best interests of the child; the fact that reunification should be a gradual and holistic process; the provision of parenting skills, and a strong relationship between foster parents and biological parents. The article concludes that family reunification services should be rights-based and holistic to be effective.