Toolkits utilized by social workers rendering family reunification services to child offenders in foster care

Abstract This article qualitatively explores the toolkits used by social workers providing family reunification services to child offenders in foster care and their family of origin. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from social workers employed by non-governmental organizations in Bloemfontein, Free State. The findings show that social workers lack standardized toolkits that address the needs of child offenders in foster care. As a result, they are often referred to the South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders and One-Stop Child Justice Centre, which limits social workers’ jurisdiction regarding the rendering of family reunification services. The findings further indicate that child offenders in foster care seldom reunite with their families due to contributing factors such as unfavourable processes.