Approaches for psychosocial support towards orphans and vulnerable children by community-based workers in the Vhembe district, South Africa.

Introduction: The orphan and vulnerable children crisis has raised the need for alternative solutions to their problems. These new alternatives gave prominence to the growth of community-based organisations and their interventions. Community-based interventions are a crucial component of the response to ensure that the demands of orphans and vulnerable children are mitigated as they offer initial support and act as well-being nets.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory-descriptive and contextual design was used to explore possible approaches to psychosocial support for orphans and vulnerable childen from community-based workers. This study was conducted in four municipalities in the Vhembe district: Thulamela, Makhado, Collins Chabane, and Musina. The population consisted of community-based workers working with vulnerable and orphaned children in the Vhembe district. Data were collected in focus group discussions with the community-based workers using a focus group discussion guide with open-ended questions. The data were analysed according to Tesch's open analysis guide to analyse qualitative data. The measures to ensure trustworthiness included transferability, conformability, credibility, and dependability.

Results: Data analysis generated the following theme and subthemes: Psychosocial interventions provided included Physical support, educational support, psycho-educational support, activities and socialisation, caregivers support and involvement and inter-professional referral.

Conclusion: These findings provide an insight into the types of psychosocial support interventions provided by Community-based organisations to orphans and vulnerable children. Conversely, the study also revealed that community-based organisations are experiencing challenges when delivering those services to orphans and vulnerable children.