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Towards child-inclusive practices in child protection in Ghana: Perspectives from parents

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  • Manful, Esmeranda
  • Cudjoe, Ebenezer
  • Abdullah, Alhassan

Abstract

Although case meetings on reported child maltreatment in Ghana often include children, parents and social workers, in most cases the views of children are not included in the decision making process. This is largely as a result of traditional cultural expectations where the child is an obedient recipient of adult decisions. Considering that cases reported are premised within the family, the study investigated parents’ views on how children’s opinions could be included in child protection decisions in Ghana. A phenomenological approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis method to examine the views of 21 parents in contact with the Department of Social Welfare. The findings suggest that children’s fear of being labelled as behaving culturally inappropriate and its reprisals were the main hurdles to child-inclusive practice. Also, good interviewing skills, out of office engagement, humour and one-on-one engagement emerged as strategies recommended by parents to promote child-inclusive practices. The study highlights the need for social workers to develop child-friendly communication strategies to promote children’s participation in the child protection process. In addition, an inclusion of cultural practices in the curriculum of social work education and training at all levels is recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Manful, Esmeranda & Cudjoe, Ebenezer & Abdullah, Alhassan, 2020. "Towards child-inclusive practices in child protection in Ghana: Perspectives from parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:119:y:2020:i:c:s019074092032017x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Toros, Karmen & Tiko, Anne & Saia, Koidu, 2013. "Child-centered approach in the context of the assessment of children in need: Reflections of child protection workers in Estonia," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 1015-1022.
    2. Adu-Gyamfi, Jones, 2013. "Can children and young people be empowered in participatory initiatives?: Perspectives from young people's participation in policy formulation and implementation in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1766-1772.
    3. Cudjoe, Ebenezer & Uggerhøj, Lars & Abdullah, Alhassan, 2020. "“We are consultants, not collaborators”: Young people’s experiences with child protection meetings in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    4. Bessell, Sharon, 2011. "Participation in decision-making in out-of-home care in Australia: What do young people say?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 496-501, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hareket, Erdem & Kartal, Ayça, 2021. "An overview of research on children’s rights in primary school: A meta synthesis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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