The integration of orphans and vulnerable children into society: a case study of St Monica Children’s Home, Bluff.

Abstract

The integration of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) into mainstream society has highlighted the inefficiencies of the orphanage system. Orphanages also known as child and youth care centres (CYCC), are devoted to taking care of OVCs that have been removed from their biological families due to the risks they faced. The study employed an exploratory qualitative research technique with the aid of the socio-legal research framework to depict the challenges that are faced by the OVCs during integration. The research made use of non-probability sampling techniques, in particular, purposive sampling to select participants for the interviews. Socio-Legal empirical research theory and Content analysis were employed to assess the information which was collected from the telephonic interviews. The research concludes that institutions are creating a dependency syndrome that makes it difficult for the OVCs to adjust to life outside the children’s homes. Unfortunately, the policies implemented to safeguard the lives of the OVCs in the institution does more harm than good. The OVCs are inadequately prepared for life after reunification. Reunification is a process whereby a child is transitioned back to his or her biological family. The reunification process is flawed making the OVCs vulnerable. The study depicted that post-institutional support provided by the Department of Social Development is ineffective. The study focused on the legal implications of the reunification process. It was evident that children are not capable to lead an independent life after reunification. They still feel the need to get assistance from the institutions they were once placed. The reunification process struggles to meet up with the promulgated best interest of the child principle provided in the Children’s Act. Social workers who have a responsibility to assist OVCs who are found to be in need of care and protection are overwhelmed with high caseloads and struggle to effectively reintegrate these children back into society.