Challenges faced by child and youth care workers with regard to discipline of children with challenging behaviour in residential child and youth care centre

Abstract

Child and Youth Care Workers employed in residential Child and Youth Care Centres are often challenged by the behaviour of children in their care. The goal of the study was therefore to explore and describe the challenges faced by Child and Youth Care Workers with regard to the discipline of children with challenging behaviour in Child and Youth Care Centres. A qualitative research approach employing explorative, descriptive and contextual designs were followed. Participants were selected by means of purposive sampling from four Child and Youth Care Centres from four different metropoles in the Cape Peninsula. Data was collected by means of focus groups with the aid of an interview schedule. The interviews were be recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed according to Tesch (in Creswell, 2003) eight steps of data analysis. Ethical considerations such as informed consent, confidentiality and debriefing were adhered to. The findings of the study pointed inter alia to the fact that CYCWs are the first line disciplinarians that they need more support with regards to the discipline of children from colleagues, management and social workers. Multi-disciplinary in CYCCs teams tend to be ineffective and they experience disempowerment from the management and social workers. In addition, they are challenged by the behaviour of children in their care, such as truancy, stealing, absconding, aggressiveness, inappropriate sexual behaviour, development problems. Recommendations for all the stakeholders in the field of CYC were made to improve service delivery.