An investigation of the challenges associated with conducting home visits in rural areas, from the lenses of social workers: the case of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality - Eastern Cape, South Africa

This study strove to understand the challenges encountered by social workers in conducting home visits in rural areas of the Eastern Cape in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The intention was to achieve the following objectives; (i) establish the kind of problems that social workers attend to when conducting home visits in rural areas, (ii) investigate the challenges that social workers encounter in the provision of home visits in rural areas, (iii) establish the support services offered to the social workers by their organisations; from the lenses of both social workers and supervisors. The study employed the qualitative approach and was guided by a qualitative research design in the form of a case study. It also employed in-depth one-on-one interviews complemented by both focus group discussions and social work participants as methods of data collection. The study used non-probability sampling technique, specifically the purposive sampling of twenty five (25) social work stakeholders. The sample comprised twenty (20) social workers, both female and male participants and five (5) supervisors. Data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic data analysis which used interpretative approaches and textual presentation. The study revealed the following findings: that social workers in Raymond Mhlaba municipality dealt with an immense range of social problems such as poverty, unemployment, crime, HIV and AIDS, orphanhood, child headed households, marital discord, violence against women and children, abuse of families and persons with disability and mismanagement of social grants. The study recommends employee assistance programmes so that independent counselling and supportive services could be provided for social workers working in rural areas. Regular in-service training programmes can play a vital role in helping staff handle pressure and avoid occupational stress.Thesis (M Soc Sc) (Social Work) -- University of Fort Hare, 201