Displaying 1 - 9 of 9
Over the years, social workers have played diverse roles in engaging individuals, groups, families, communities, and organisations in their quest to promote overall well-being. However, persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to face several challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic adds a layer to their vulnerabilities. While several interventions have been put in place to address the needs of persons with disabilities in developed countries, their counterparts in low-income countries, such as Ghana, continue to face marginalisation and exclusion. Using user-perspective and co-production…
Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society. Facing daily discrimination in the form of negative attitudes, lack of adequate policies and legislation, they are sometimes deprived from realizing their rights to healthcare, education, and even survival. Children with disabilities are children first and hence have the same rights as other children. One of the ten key strategies for the achievement of the objectives of the national Child and Family Welfare Policy is empowering families in their role as primary caregivers, thus caring for children…
Abstract
Worldwide, up to 8 million children reside in institutional care. While some characteristics are common to most institutional settings (e.g., group rearing, non-related caregivers), the social environments of institutions are highly variable. Institutions in Russia, China, Ghana, and Chile are described with reference to the circumstances that lead to children’s institutionalization, resident children’s social-emotional relationships, and unique characteristics of each country’s institutional care (e.g., volunteer tourism in Ghana, and shifting demographics of institutionalized…
Abstract
Aim
This study aims to explore the experiences of carers of children with cerebral palsy living in rural areas of Ghana who have received no rehabilitation services.
Background
Cerebral palsy is the most common chronic disability from childhood, which needs lifelong rehabilitation. Most of the population living in rural communities in Ghana have virtually no form of rehabilitation services for their chronic disabling conditions. Caring for children with disability are known to be challenging especially when coupled with environmental challenges in rural communities.…
Abstract
Background
Four fifths of the estimated 150 million children with disability in the world live in resource poor settings where the role of the family is crucial in ensuring that these children survive and thrive. Despite their critical role, evidence is lacking on how to provide optimal support to these families. This study explores the impact of a participatory training programme for caregivers delivered through a local support group, with a focus on understanding caregiver wellbeing.
Methods
A qualitative longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the impact of a…
This video, presented by Better Care Network and UNICEF, highlights the increased risk of family separation faced by children with special needs and advocates for the provision of quality family-based care to children who cannot be with their parents or extended families. The video gives an inside look at an assisted family setting in Ghana where children with disabilities live with their foster mothers. The video features interviews with the foster mothers, who describe the care and affection they provide to the children, as well as an interview with Iddris Abdallah, …
This video is presented by Better Care Network and UNICEF. It tells the story of Maureen, a young girl in Kenya who was separated from her family and sent to live in a children's home. In the video, Maureen expresses her desire to reunite with her grandparents and asks "why do I live in a children's home?" It also features interviews with experts, including those who have lived in children's homes, explaining some of the negative impacts of institutionalization. Children who live in institutions often lack the individual care, affection, and attachment that a family environment offers.…
This country care review includes the care-related Concluding Observations adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Comittee's recommendations on the issues relevant to children's care are highlighted, as well as other care-related concluding observations, ratification dates, and links to the Universal Periodic Review and Hague Intercountry Adoption Country Profile.
This chapter provides an overview of a child care institution, the Osu Children’s Home, in Ghana. The chapter describes the referral process at the home, the ages of the children at admission, and the background of the children’s parents. The chapter poses the question: “why are children placed in institutions?” and offers several explanations, including abandonment, death of a parent, physical or mental disability of a parent, “destitution” of the family, or being in a conflict situation.
Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana