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Foster care services are in high demand in South Africa because of the significant number of children in need of care. Reasons for this include the death of biological parents, abuse, neglect, incarceration of parents, parents abandoning their children, and even disappearance of parents. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this situation. The demand for foster care is putting strain on the delivery of social work services to this vulnerable group. Social workers tasked with implementing the foster care process experience operational impediments and emotional strain, creating an implementation challenge. In examining these challenges, the ecological perspective provides a suitable theoretical framework. This qualitative research study is underpinned by an exploratory design and semi-structured interviews have been conducted to gather primary data. Eight participants have been purposively selected, and the data has been analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that the challenges social workers face fall into three categories: operational obstacles, emotional challenges, and non-adherence to foster care values and principles. Policies and practices are recommended to address the identified challenges to ensure that social workers are empowered to implement foster care services that are child-centred and needs-based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incubates are individuals who are start-up entrepreneurs and have deficiencies vested in their own personal capabilities. These personal deficiencies or shortcomings originate from a lack of entrepreneurial experience; a lack of entrepreneurial orientation; and a lack of entrepreneurial and management skills. It is unclear which personal deficiencies are applicable or unique to incubates within the Northern Cape province, South Africa. Purpose: As South Africa's unemployment rate is at the highest it has ever been, the question is posed to government regarding what is being done to improve the situation. This study focuses specifically on identifying the personal deficiencies of incubates within the incubator sector and exactly why these factors are negatively impacting incubates. Setting: This study was conducted amongst incubates, incubator managers and incubator staff within the Northern Cape province, South Africa. Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst 63 participants who were Northern Cape incubates. A purposive non-probability sampling strategy was used whereby homogenous and snowballing sampling were used. The interview data was transcribed and analysed into research themes aligned within entrepreneurship. Findings: The main deficiencies identified included a lack of: (1) entrepreneurial experience; (2) entrepreneurial orientation; and (3) entrepreneurial skills. Value: New themes on entrepreneurial deficiencies amongst incubates are identified that are unique to the region and provides recommendations for future research. Professional development, a diversification of commercial activities, along with a selection instrument for applicant-entrepreneurs in incubators within the region are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]