The reflections of role players on rights-based social work services for child-headed households in South Africa

Abstract

Child-headed households in South Africa face significant vulnerabilities, yet little is known from a social work perspective about the services available to them. This study examined social work services currently provided to child-headed households and identified services that should be delivered, drawing on role players’ reflections at the micro, meso and macro levels of social work practice. Twenty-three participants, including social workers, social work supervisors, and provincial Department of Social Development representatives from Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, were purposively sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide informed by themes from the literature. At the micro level, services include home visits, needs assessments, individual counselling and foster care placements, while family counselling remains largely absent. At the meso level, there are educational groups and informal neighbour monitoring, but formal community support and parental figure involvement are inadequate. At the macro level, food parcels and awareness campaigns are provided, yet educational assistance, income support and adequate shelter remain unmet needs. Findings indicate that children in child-headed households, despite being recognised as rights-holders under South African law and the UNCRC, experience human rights violations resulting from inadequate service delivery. The study recommends prioritising resources across all three levels to strengthen social work service delivery and protect the relevant rights.