Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chris Desmond, Researcher, SAMRC/Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science- PRICELESS SA, University of the Witwatersrand
Published on 2024-01-10 14:40:04
When considering the needs of children, the priority often varies depending on the relationship one has with the child. For children outside of one’s immediate circle, basic needs such as food, shelter, health, and education take precedence. However, for children with whom there is a closer relationship, all their needs are seen as important, immediate, and interconnected.
Many interventions in the lives of children, especially in low and middle-income countries, focus on addressing basic needs first. This approach is influenced by the perception that children’s needs are hierarchical. However, research in sociology and development economics suggests that children’s needs are best met within families, where all needs are equally important.
Supporting families to support children is crucial, as families play a significant role in balancing and meeting the needs of children effectively. Family-centered interventions are often able to address the complex needs of individual children, regardless of their family structure.
In many low- and middle-income countries, the social services workforce is often under-resourced and overburdened, making it challenging to advocate for change and strengthen the sector. However, it is essential to focus on supporting families to support children, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
Three tiers of support are highlighted to assist families in nurturing and caring for their children:
1. Universal enabling interventions: These create a supportive environment by providing national security, civil rights, safe communities, schooling, and healthcare.
2. Targeted family strengthening: These interventions aim to improve family capacity by removing barriers to care, such as through social protection initiatives like cash transfers.
3. Critical family functioning interventions: These intense interventions are necessary for the most vulnerable families, requiring skilled and sustained interaction by highly trained social workers.
Neglecting the social workers who provide these critical interventions can have severe consequences for children and families. Governments must prioritize strengthening the social service workforce to support families in crisis and prevent long-term negative outcomes. The cost of allowing struggling families to fail in their essential functions can be detrimental to both individuals and society as a whole.
