“COVID-19 really impacted our work”: Changes in services for families and staff experiences in Cape Town, South Africa

COVID-19 pandemic has created new pressures for many families, and organisations supporting them. In interviews with staff from three community-based organisations in Cape Town, South Africa, and other stakeholders, we looked at how organisations adapted their delivery of two evidence-informed parenting interventions and other services for families. Data from 22 interviews conducted August 2020 - May 2021 were analysed using framework approach. Participants perceived increased job losses, food insecurity, and stress experienced by families. Organisations changed how they worked with families, in response to the pandemic and restrictions on gathering, reductions in available resources, changing community needs and funding priorities. The organisations focused on boosting food provision and developed COVID prevention activities and safety measures. Organisations adapted parenting programme delivery by changing the physical settings and group size for in-person programmes and taking up digital delivery and phone communication with families. Participants reported a positive change in their perceptions of digital delivery as a feasible approach for working with families - but limited internet and phone access were a challenge. The pandemic brought new tasks and responsibilities for staff, and challenges associated with working from home and health risks of in-person work.