EDITORIAL

Editorial

Lambert K Engelbrecht

Department of Social Work, Stellenbosch University, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6549-7183; lke@sun.ac.za

This edition of Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk offers a range of themes to the reader, with topics focusing on income-generating activities, homelessness, gangsterism, substance abuse, effective parenting, sexual orientation, community development practitioner profiling and supervision of social workers.

The first article presents a systematic review of studies on income-generating projects in poor communities. Although the author recommends more complex and large-scale qualitative and quantitative systematic reviews, it was nevertheless found that the beneficiaries experienced their participation in income-generating projects as empowering, and their self-esteem was enhanced by their ability to contribute to the livelihood of their families. In the article on homeless older persons it is suggested that conflict, abuse, family disappointment, unemployment, mental health challenges, declining mobility, isolation and a lack of access to services are risk factors hindering resilience. Recommendations for resilience-informed biopsychosocial gerontological social services to homeless older persons are offered. The third article sets out experience-based lessons from selected males on factors that have protected them from gang involvement. Family support, involvement in religious activities, positive role models, and participation in sports are amongst the factors that may prevent participants becoming involved in gang activities. In the fourth article, the question is put forward whether social workers are prepared to render social support to persons with substance abuse challenges. In this article, it is highlighted that social workers need intensive training and resources to execute their tasks effectively in the field of substance abuse. The next article identified financial constraints, peer influence, alcohol and drug abuse, lack of time for adequate parenting, communication, and maturational changes as barriers to effective parenting of adolescent children in resource-constrained communities. The sixth article explores the experience of lesbians in rural areas in the light of the prevailing discourses on homosexuality. The findings revealed that due to certain religious and traditional beliefs, lesbianism continues to be perceived by many as "just a thing", unnatural, a passing phase, an embarrassment and a sin. The subsequent article provides a broad overview of occupational professionalisation requirements linked to a countrywide practitioner profile survey conducted to inform the South African Community Development Practice Policy Framework that guides occupational professionalism pre- and post-professionalisation. The final article of this edition is aimed at acquiring an understanding of what transpires in an individual social work supervision session in South Africa. Findings reveal that supervision sessions are chiefly "open door" and "on the run", with minimal evidence of critical reflection. The deliberate utilisation of more clinical educational and supportive elements, and critical reflection-in-action and reflection-on-action in supervision sessions is therefore recommended.

We hope that you enjoy the variety of articles in this issue.

Lambert K Engelbrecht

Editor in Chief December 2022