The effect of a community-based social support programme on the resilience of children from vulnerable families

Abstract

This article reports on the effect of a community-based social support programme offered through a government-linked centre that works on the resilience of children of families from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Purposive sampling was used to select four parents (mothers) and nine school-going children (N = 13) who all benefit from and attend a community-based social support programme (drop-in centre) that targets vulnerable learners and their families. A case study design was implemented to construct data using biographical questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that the socioeconomic status of families and the degree of vulnerability of primary school children are key determinants and identification strategies that are used by schools to refer learners to social support programmes aimed at supporting their resilience. Moreover, the identification of vulnerable children through the school system enhances and facilitates their family’s access to social support programmes.