Developing evaluative strategies for harm reduction programme for street children in Durban : a PAR approach.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
The research has been part of a larger study on developing evaluative strategies for programmes
on street children in KwaZulu Natal. This study focussed on harm reduction programmes with
reference to violence and crime. The phenomenon of street children has been seen to be caused
by various interactive factors relating to the individual, the family, community and the
society as a whole. The research was guided by a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach
utilizing multiple data sources and multiple focus groups with street children and service
providers. Street children were given the space to talk about their experiences and to identify
indicators of successful programmes. Shelter workers who are child care workers discussed
programmes presented at the shelter and their impact on protecting and preventing children from
exposure to violence and crime. They also discussed indicators of success in their programmes.
Children indicated that successful programmes were characterised by consistency, fairness, non-
discrimination, and that they take into account that street children are children too and that
they can make mistakes. On the other hand child care workers described successful programmes as
contributing to change in the life of a child, through social skills, attitude of the child and
child's ability to be reunited with his family. Programmes, which serve to protect street
children from violence and crime should be monitored and evaluated so as to assess their
effectiveness. Based on the findings of this study recommendations are made regarding the
evaluation of programmes for street children.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.
Keywords
Theses--Social work., Participant observation., Street children--Services for--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban.