The effects of foster care backlog on prospective beneficiaries in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Foster care is a fundamental alternative care service available for children in need of care and protection. It is aimed at nurturing the development and welfare of children who are declared to be in need of care and protection in South Africa. Over the years, foster care services in South Africa have experienced a significant amount of backlog, disadvantaging the potential or prospective beneficiaries. Children are considered part of the vulnerable groups in South Africa as considered by global organizations/institutions such as the United Nations and the African Union. Globally, foster care is one of the mechanisms considered alternative care for children who have been declared to be in need of care and protection. The paper aimed to explore the effects of the foster care backlog on the prospective beneficiaries in the Vhembe region of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The paper further seeks to provide an understanding of the foster care backlog on the prospective foster children and the prospective foster parents. The study employed the qualitative research approach to achieve the aims of the study and have an understanding of the perceptions of the participants. An exploratory research design was adopted for the paper to understand better the phenomenon from the perspectives of the participants. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of foster care backlog and how it affects the beneficiaries. The study used semi-structured and unstructured interviews to collect data with a sample of 11 participants used for the study. The study used purposive sampling because of the understanding and knowledge of the participants. Thematic content analysis using Creswell’s methods of data analysis was used in this study. Considerations were made for the use of systems theory to provide a foundation and background for the study and to understand the effects of the foster care backlog on the prospective beneficiaries. The study found that peer group pressure, poor school attendance and drop in academic performance, lack of satisfaction with basic needs, and high levels of burnout and stress are some of the effects of this phenomenon. Key Words:Backlog, Beneficiaries, Effects, Foster Care and Supervision