In South Africa adoption as a form of alternative care had decreased despite a supportive legal and policy environment. This qualitative exploratory study explored adoption policy implementation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four social workers and two magistrates implementing adoption in the Western Cape. Data were thematically analysed using Lipsky’s theory of street-level bureaucracy. Results indicate significant problems in implementation, including lack of adoption services by the Department of Social Development (DSD) social workers; overuse of foster care; and difficulties in registration of the birth of abandoned babies and babies assumed to be foreign. Recommendations for practice are provided.
CITATION STYLE
Luyt, J., & Swartz, L. (2022). IMPLEMENTATION OF ADOPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: PERSPECTIVES FROM PRACTITIONERS IN THE WESTERN CAPE. Social Work (South Africa), 58(2), 174–190. https://doi.org/10.15270/58-2-1041
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