Social work and families in child welfare in Malawi
Social workers considerations when placing a child outside the home
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v10i1.122Abstract
This article discusses professional discretion in relation to placing a child outside the family, as understood by Malawian social workers. The article is a product of an exploratory study covering different aspects of social work practice with children and families in Malawi. It is based on focus group discussions with practicing social workers that were conducted using a vignette. This article describes how social workers handle child protection cases, in which a child has to be placed outside the home or family. The article points out different solutions and the reasoning behind certain decisions on placing children outside their home. The study explores issues of patriarchy, intervention methods into families and the cooperation between social workers, community members and other professionals when helping families. The study found that a number of different factors affect the decision of placing a child outside the home. Social workers in this study put an emphasis on the importance of helping children within the immediate- and extended family to help cope with the lack of financial resources that would provide alternative options.
References
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Stewart, D. W. & Shamdasani, P. N. (2014). Focus groups: Theory and practice. London: Sage
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UNICEF Malawi country office (2011). Malawi Child Protection Strategy 2012-2016. Lilongwe. Malawi.
Wilson, K., Ruch, G., Lymbery, M. & Cooper, A. (2008). Social Work: An introduction to Contemporary Practice. Harlow: Pearson Longman.
Bandawe, C. R. & Louw, J. (1997). The experience of foster care in Malawi: A preliminary investigation. Child Welfare league of America, LXXVI, 535-547.
Bazargan-Hejazi, S., Medeiros, S, Mohammadi, R., Lin, J. & Dalal, K. (2013). Patterns of intimate partner violence: A study of female victims in Malawi. Journal of injury & violence research, 5(1): 38-50.
Berg, L. B. (2009). Qualitative Research Methods. New York: Allyn and Bacon.
Bilson A. & Wetwood, J. (2012). Making social work work: Improving social work for vulnerable families and children without parental care around the world. London: Every Child.
Brabin, L., Verhoeff, F. H., Kazembe, P., Brabin, J. B., Chimsuku, L. & Broadhead. R. (1998). Improving ante-natal care for pregnant adolescents in southern Malawi. Acta Obsentricia Gynecol Scand. 77, 402-409.
Chitereka, C. (2009). Social work in a developing continent: The case of Africa. Advances in Social Work, 10(2), 144-156.
Connell, R. (2009). Short introductions: Gender. Malden: Polity.
Costello, S. (2003). Families: Reconstructing social work practices. In J. Allan, B. Pease, & L. Briskman (Eds.), Critical social work: An introduction to theories and practices. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
Davison, J. (1993). Tenacious women: Clinging to banja household production in the face of changing gender relations in Malawi. Journal of Southern African Studies 19(3), [405]-421.
Fonchingong, C. C. & Fonjong, L. N. (2003). The concept of self-reliance in community development initiatives in the Cameroon grassfields, Nordic Journal of African Studies 12(2), 196–219.
Gilbert, N., Parton, N. & Skivenes, M. (2011). Changing patterns of responses and emerging orientations. In N. Gilbert, N. Parton, & M. Skivenes (Eds.), Child protection systems: International trends and emerging orientations. New York: Oxford University.
Gordon, W., Guez, W. & Allen, J. (2000). Social Work. London, Penguin.
Harding, L. (1997). Perspectives in Child Care Policy. London, UK: Longman Group. Hantrais, L. (2004). Family policy matters: Responding to family change in Europe. Bristol: The Policy Press.
Hughes, R. & Huby, M. (2002). The application of vignettes in social and nursing research. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37(4), 382-386.
Kitzinger, J. & Barbour, R. (Eds.) (1999). Developing focus group research: Politics, theory and practice. London: Sage.
Kitzinger, J. (1994). The methodology of focus groups: The importance of interaction between research participants. Sociology of Health & Illness, 16(1), 103-121.
Lawrence, A. (2004). Principles of child protection: Management and practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Malawi government (2010). The Child Care Protection and Justice Act. Lilongwe: Government press. Retrieved from http://www.malawilii.org/mw/legislation/act/2010/22.
Malawi Law Commission (2006). Constitutional review program: Consultation paper. Lilongwe: Capital Printers.
Maluwa-Banda, D. & Bandawe, C. R. (2001). A rapid appraisal of the orphan situation in Malawi: Issues, challenges and prospects. Conference on Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Africa. University of Uppsala (13-16).
Maluwa-Banda, D. (1998). School counsellors' perceptions of guidance and counselling programme in Malawi's secondary schools. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 26(2), 287-295.
Mbweza, E., Norr, K. F. & McElmurry, B. (2008). Couple decision making and use of cultural scripts in Malawi. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40(1).
Nygren, L. & Oltedal, S. (2014). Social workers’ understanding of family in child welfare work: An international research approach. In S. Hessle (Ed.), Global Social Transformation and Social Action: The Role of Social Workers. Farnham: Ashgate.
Pecora, P. J., Whittaker, J. K., Maluccio, A. N. & Barth, R. P. (2012). The child welfare challenge: Policy, practice, and research. New Brunswick: AldineTransaction.
Penal code of Malawi [Ch0701s258]. Retrieved from http://www.malawilii.org/files/mw/legislation/consolidatedact/7:01/penal_code_pdf_4611.pdf
Phiri, D. D. (2009). History of the Tumbuka. Blantyre: Dzuka.
Rwomire, A., & Raditlhokwa, L. (1996). Social work in Africa: Issues and challenges. Journal of Social Development in Africa, 2(2), 5-19.
Sabin, L., Tsoka, M., Brooks, M. I. & Miller, C. (2011). Measuring vulnerability among orphans and vulnerable children in rural Malawi: Validation study of the child index tool. Journal of Acquired Immune Syndrome, 58(1).
Saxonberg, S. & Sirovátka, T. (2006). Failing family policy in post-communist Central Europe. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis, 8(2), 185-202.
Sedan, J. (2005). Counselling skills in social work practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Skivenes, M., Barn, R., Kriz, K., & Pvsv, T. (Eds.) (2014). Child welfare systems and migrant children: A cross country study of policies and practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Stewart, D. W. & Shamdasani, P. N. (2014). Focus groups: Theory and practice. London: Sage
The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi (1994). Parliament Print.
UNICEF Malawi country office (2011). Malawi Child Protection Strategy 2012-2016. Lilongwe. Malawi.
Wilson, K., Ruch, G., Lymbery, M. & Cooper, A. (2008). Social Work: An introduction to Contemporary Practice. Harlow: Pearson Longman.
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Published
2015-07-01
How to Cite
Tembo, M. J., & Oltedal, S. (2015). Social work and families in child welfare in Malawi: Social workers considerations when placing a child outside the home. Journal of Comparative Social Work, 10(1), 50–72. https://doi.org/10.31265/jcsw.v10i1.122
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