Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect
Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
|
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613763590422528 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Stevens, Melissa |
| author2 | Damons, L. |
| author_browse | Damons, L. Stevens, Melissa |
| author_facet | Damons, L. Stevens, Melissa |
| author_sort | Stevens, Melissa |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135803 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:19.170Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135803 High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect Stevens, Melissa Damons, L. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Educational Psychology. Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Stevens, M. 2026. High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/153da1b1-4cb6-446e-9b6f-414b9b96b16c Child neglect is a common form of maltreatment that often goes unnoticed and unreported, despite its serious effects on children's development. This study explores high school educators' perceptions of their responsibilities in recognising and reporting suspected child neglect in the Western Cape, South Africa. Grounded in South African law, particularly the Children's Act 38 of 2005 with its mandatory reporting obligations, this study examines how educators interpret neglect, their methods for identifying it, and their views on legal and ethical duties. The research addresses significant gaps in understanding the experiences of frontline educational professionals, who are key gatekeepers in child protection systems. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach, utilising semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore educators' lived experiences and perspectives on the challenges they face when identifying potential victims of neglect in educational settings. The data analysis draws on Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, which offers insights into how educators’ beliefs, self-efficacy, and environmental factors influence their identification and reporting behaviours. The findings revealed that educators conceptualised neglect in diverse ways. While some focused on observable physical indicators, such as poor hygiene or sleepiness in the classroom, others emphasised the emotional dimensions of neglect, recognising that it extends beyond the provision of basic physical care. Confidence levels varied considerably when addressing physical neglect, compared to emotional neglect, thus highlighting the need for targeted professional development in South African educational settings. Furthermore, the findings revealed uncertainty regarding mandatory reporting obligations and procedures, with educators expressing a lack of clarity about when and how to report suspected cases of neglect, as well as concerns about potential repercussions and the adequacy of available support systems. Masters 2026-04-10T12:19:08Z 2026-04-10T12:19:08Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135803 en Stellenbosch University 202 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Stevens, Melissa High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title | High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title_full | High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title_fullStr | High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title_full_unstemmed | High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title_short | High School educators' perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| title_sort | high school educators perceptions of their role in reporting child neglect |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135803 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stevensmelissa highschooleducatorsperceptionsoftheirroleinreportingchildneglect |