Parental poverty, physical neglect and child welfare intervention: Dilemma and constraints of child welfare workers in Ghana

Background and Purpose: There is ample evidence in the literature to suggest that poverty and deprivation are strong correlates of parent and caregiver neglect. With specific reference to physical child neglect, the impact of poverty complicates child welfare interventions, especially in developing economies where parent and caregiver poverty are commonplace. This study explores the dilemma and constraints of child welfare workers when intervening in physical neglect cases involving poor parents. The study draws attention to the unique situation of developing countries as far as the issue of parental poverty and child welfare practice is concerned and highlights informal measures that promote child welfare practice, thereby ensuring better outcomes for children and families. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 child welfare workers (10 females, three males) from three social welfare agencies in the Ashanti region of Ghana, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were coded and analysed thematically with the assistance of NVivo 12 data management software. Results: Non-existence of targeted family support programs, inability to develop child maintenance plans and the lack of adequate alternative care homes were found to be common constraints that affect child welfare workers’ intervention in physical neglect cases involving poor parents. The study shows that the development of child maintenance plans, which constitutes the typical approach used to address child neglect in Ghana, becomes inconsequential when parents neglect children due to poverty and deprivation. However, the results showed that focusing on informal traditional community resources could be a useful alternative in the development of intervention plans for poor families and their neglected children. Conclusion: The findings indicate the need to critically evaluate how the informal traditional child protection practices can be revived, enhanced and incorporated into formal child welfare practice.