The Role of Parents in Supporting the Rehabilitation of Children in a Juvenile School in Eswatini

This study examines the role of parents in supporting the rehabilitation of children enrolled in Eswatini’s sole juvenile school, where parental engagement remains underexplored despite its well-documented importance in juvenile reform. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and a constructivist paradigm, the study employed a qualitative case study design involving semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including parents, teachers, and the school principal. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: (1) emotional and practical challenges faced by caregivers, who experienced guilt, anxiety, stigma, and logistical difficulties in maintaining contact; (2) family structure and dynamics as significant contributors to juvenile delinquency, with instability, conflicted relationships, and inadequate supervision increasing vulnerability to antisocial peer influence; (3) parental involvement as a catalyst for rehabilitation, where consistent emotional support, presence, and guidance from biological parents enhanced behavioural transformation; and (4) specific parental roles, such as regular visitation, communication, academic monitoring, provision of basic needs, and constructive discipline, which collectively strengthened children’s psychosocial stability and rehabilitation outcomes. Findings underscore that rehabilitation is not solely an institutional responsibility but is deeply shaped by family functioning and caregivers’ capacity to provide sustained, nurturing involvement. However, systemic, economic, and relational barriers often limit meaningful participation. The study recommends strengthening family-centred practices within juvenile institutions, providing psychoeducation and support to caregivers, and implementing policy initiatives that promote family cohesion and reduce structural barriers to engagement. Enhancing parental involvement is essential for improving rehabilitation outcomes, reducing recidivism, and supporting the holistic development of children in conflict with the law in Eswatini.