Heidi Sauls - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
I am an anthropologist. In March 2015, I was awarded a PhD from the University of Amsterdam. Currently, I am employed as a social researcher in the Western Cape Government, Department of Social Development. My main research interests and work involves perpetration of violence, child and youth offenders, secure care facilities and incarceration, gangsterism, recidivism and most recently, the link between child victimisation and perpetration.Professionally, I have developed skills and attained experience in academia, as well as, applied research. My research interests have also expanded to evaluation, programme design and implementation
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In this phase, a mixed-methods approach was used that included both quantitative and qualitative ... more In this phase, a mixed-methods approach was used that included both quantitative and qualitative data. These methods included: content analysis of documents and materials, individual semistructured interviews and focus group discussions with professionals. Phase Two explored the extent and possible factors that contributed to children reoffending, postdiversion. The following evaluation questions guided this phase of the evaluation: What are the child offenders' views on factors that encourage and discourage recidivism? Which family/ household dynamics impact on child reoffending? Does peer relations impact on child reoffending? Which community factors encourage recidivism? What after care services are provided? How do aftercare services (or the lack thereof) affect child reoffending? How do aftercare services (or the lack thereof) affect the family? Which contributing factors possibly support desistance? In both phases, a purposive sampling method was used to identify DSD Regions and Service Delivery Areas. The main sampling criteria was that sites should represent areas with high and low rates of referrals to diversion. In view of this, the following sites were selected: Metro East (Khayelitsha), West Coast (Saldanha, Vredenburg) and Winelands (Bredasdorp) for their low diversion rates. Metro South (Mitchell's Plain) and Winelands Overberg (Worcester) for their high rates of diversion. The evaluation methods used consisted mainly of the collection of qualitative data in the form of semi-structured, individual interviews and focus group discussions. Due to challenges with the quality and accessibility of administrative data required to undertake a quantitative analysis of the extent of recidivism, a key aim of phase two could not be explored. 2. Policy Background informing the Evaluation South Africa experienced a transition in its child justice reform efforts when the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 (CJA) was implemented in April 2010. One of the CJA's central aims is to encourage the diversion of young offenders away from formal court procedures, thereby allowing children an opportunity to voice their views on the circumstances of their offending behaviour. The CJA defines
Participants linked effective planning and realistic expectations to effective family reunificati... more Participants linked effective planning and realistic expectations to effective family reunification. A participant stated, "It's that balance about knowing the reality of that client vs. what is expected by all these rules and regulations". Various planning tools such as the family plan, as well as, the reunification plan were identified by social workers. 7.6. Religious belief systems Both social workers and caregivers stated that the religious beliefs of families contributed to reunification as these beliefs allowed for behavioural change and improving the daily functioning of families. The two case studies showed how the mothers were able to end their battle with alcohol abuse as a result of their shift into religious practices and beliefs. 7.7. Maintaining contact and communication between caregivers and children prior to reunification Continued contact between the caregivers and child during the institutionalisation process, is of utmost importance if reunification is to be achieved. Contact during this time should be encouraged between the child and family. When the child is institutionalised, efforts to continue communication should be in place. Family conferencing has also been described as a useful communication tool as it allows for social workers to observe the interaction and relationship between the child and family. According to the social workers, constant and open communication between parties supports reunification. 8. Challenges and risk factors for family reunification This section describes the challenges and risk factors that have been identified during the data collection phase of this project and its potential impact on the reunification process. These challenges and risk factors are described at the level of social workers, children and caregivers/families.
In this phase, a mixed-methods approach was used that included both quantitative and qualitative ... more In this phase, a mixed-methods approach was used that included both quantitative and qualitative data. These methods included: content analysis of documents and materials, individual semistructured interviews and focus group discussions with professionals. Phase Two explored the extent and possible factors that contributed to children reoffending, postdiversion. The following evaluation questions guided this phase of the evaluation: What are the child offenders' views on factors that encourage and discourage recidivism? Which family/ household dynamics impact on child reoffending? Does peer relations impact on child reoffending? Which community factors encourage recidivism? What after care services are provided? How do aftercare services (or the lack thereof) affect child reoffending? How do aftercare services (or the lack thereof) affect the family? Which contributing factors possibly support desistance? In both phases, a purposive sampling method was used to identify DSD Regions and Service Delivery Areas. The main sampling criteria was that sites should represent areas with high and low rates of referrals to diversion. In view of this, the following sites were selected: Metro East (Khayelitsha), West Coast (Saldanha, Vredenburg) and Winelands (Bredasdorp) for their low diversion rates. Metro South (Mitchell's Plain) and Winelands Overberg (Worcester) for their high rates of diversion. The evaluation methods used consisted mainly of the collection of qualitative data in the form of semi-structured, individual interviews and focus group discussions. Due to challenges with the quality and accessibility of administrative data required to undertake a quantitative analysis of the extent of recidivism, a key aim of phase two could not be explored. 2. Policy Background informing the Evaluation South Africa experienced a transition in its child justice reform efforts when the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 (CJA) was implemented in April 2010. One of the CJA's central aims is to encourage the diversion of young offenders away from formal court procedures, thereby allowing children an opportunity to voice their views on the circumstances of their offending behaviour. The CJA defines
Participants linked effective planning and realistic expectations to effective family reunificati... more Participants linked effective planning and realistic expectations to effective family reunification. A participant stated, "It's that balance about knowing the reality of that client vs. what is expected by all these rules and regulations". Various planning tools such as the family plan, as well as, the reunification plan were identified by social workers. 7.6. Religious belief systems Both social workers and caregivers stated that the religious beliefs of families contributed to reunification as these beliefs allowed for behavioural change and improving the daily functioning of families. The two case studies showed how the mothers were able to end their battle with alcohol abuse as a result of their shift into religious practices and beliefs. 7.7. Maintaining contact and communication between caregivers and children prior to reunification Continued contact between the caregivers and child during the institutionalisation process, is of utmost importance if reunification is to be achieved. Contact during this time should be encouraged between the child and family. When the child is institutionalised, efforts to continue communication should be in place. Family conferencing has also been described as a useful communication tool as it allows for social workers to observe the interaction and relationship between the child and family. According to the social workers, constant and open communication between parties supports reunification. 8. Challenges and risk factors for family reunification This section describes the challenges and risk factors that have been identified during the data collection phase of this project and its potential impact on the reunification process. These challenges and risk factors are described at the level of social workers, children and caregivers/families.