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This article critically examines how contemporary child protection systems are shaped by risk-averse practice cultures, structural inequality, cultural dissonance, and uneven investment in family-based preventive interventions. Using an integrative literature review, the article synthesizes empirical studies, policy analyses, programme evaluations, and theoretical scholarship published between 2000 and 2024, with selected foundational works included where they remain conceptually central. Guided by ecological systems theory and critical social work theory, the review argues that child removal is often framed as an individual family failure, while the wider conditions that produce family vulnerability, including poverty, racism, colonial histories, housing insecurity, disability, substance-use-related need, and inadequate service access, are insufficiently addressed. The synthesis shows that poor, Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized families are disproportionately drawn into child protection systems, often through neglect allegations that are closely linked to material hardship. At the same time, evidence from family preservation, home visiting, family group conferencing, and community-based support models indicates that many children can be kept safe when families receive timely, relational, culturally responsive, and adequately resourced assistance. The article, therefore, calls for a shift from surveillance and separation toward prevention, family preservation, and social justice-oriented practice. It concludes that child protection reform requires not only improved practice tools, but also policy, funding, and accountability systems that value family integrity, cultural belonging, and long-term child and family well-being.

Youth leaving the foster care system frequently encounter several obstacles on their path to independence, such as restricted access to housing, work, education, and emotional support. Once they leave foster care, these obstacles may make it more difficult for them to become self-sufficient. The purpose of this study is to investigate how young people leaving foster care deal with these obstacles and demonstrate resiliency in their quest for autonomy. In this study, a qualitative research approach was used. Data saturation was reached with a total of 18 foster care leavers using a purposive sample technique. The information was gathered using a semi-structured interview schedule. The findings highlight that youths in Tshwane who leave foster care demonstrate resilience, place a high value on education and employment, rely on their faith and social network, and gain independence via practical help and collaboration between social workers and caregivers. The study suggests that foster care leavers should be granted access to education, vocational training, and life skills programmes. Social workers and caregivers should work closely together to provide regular direction and useful help, as well as provide access to counselling, mentorship, and emotional support. Comprehensive transitional strategies must be created as well to assist foster care leavers in becoming independent.

Foster care was instituted as a child protection mechanism in South Africa at the dawn of democracy, offering vulnerable and orphaned children alternative placement alternatives to stay with their relatives. Orphans living with HIV derive significant benefits from this placement, as their grandmothers provide essential support, enabling them to experience love, care, and safety. This study sought to examine foster parents caring for children in foster care who are living with HIV and AIDS. The study was grounded in resilience theory. A qualitative technique was utilised to collect comprehensive data, supported by phenomenological, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual study approaches. This technique facilitated an understanding of caregiving among 16 participants by providing insight into their ideas, emotions, and experiences. The study utilised foster parents as a sample, gathering their experiences through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using the five steps delineated by Yin. This research examines four key themes: financial difficulty, diagnostic unawareness, challenges in disclosure, and psychosocial support and resilience. Despite various challenges, carers shown perseverance in foster caregiving. Participants depended on their spiritual convictions, healthcare, and psychosocial assistance from social workers and healthcare professionals. This paper elaborates on the available research about foster parents and children living with HIV/AIDS from a social work perspective. The recommendations aim to strengthen current support systems and enhance social functioning among carers and foster children..