The impact of family preservation and family reunification services on families in South Africa: a case study of Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province

Families in communities remain vulnerable and, apart from poverty, face a host of other crises and challenges on a daily basis. Amongst the challenges that families face, children are affected most. Services targeting families with very young children therefore are imperative. This study was aimed at exploring the impact of family preservation and family reunification services on families in South Africa, with a focus on the Eastern Cape Province. To answer the research questions of this study, the research adopted a mixed methods design known as methodological triangulation. The study incorporated two sets of participants, Social Workers and heads of families that benefit from family preservation and family reunification services. The total sample for the study included 260 participants; 220 of the participants were heads of families and 40 of the participants were Social Workers. Questionnaires were administered to 200 heads of families and 20 Social Workers selected by means of the random sampling technique. In addition, 20 heads of families and 20 Social Workers who participated in in-depth interviews were purposively selected. The quantitative data were analysed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data were categorised with the use of themes and subtheme