Making social protection systems work for children's care: Implications from cross-country research in sub-Saharan Africa

Objectives Despite increasing evidence of the impact of social protection on poverty and other child wellbeing indicators, evidence of impacts on children’s care is limited. Family for Every Child and the Institute of... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
Despite increasing evidence of the impact of social protection on poverty and other child wellbeing indicators, evidence of impacts on children’s care is limited. Family for Every Child and the Institute of Development Studies undertook research to address this gap, which investigated the impact of cash transfers on child wellbeing and care, family separation and incentivising foster or kinship care. It considered government-implemented cash transfer schemes in Rwanda, Ghana and South Africa.

Method
This participatory, qualitative research employed literature review, key informant interviews, in-depth case study interviews, and group interviews with children and adults.

Results
Cash transfer schemes can support caregivers to provide quality care, through improving material wellbeing and reducing stress in the household. They can also prevent loss of parental care and support family reunification. Transfers to kinship or foster carers can enable them to provide care to children who are not their own. However, it is vital to address implementation challenges to optimise positive effects. Evidence suggests adverse consequences, such as transfers reinforcing certain children’s marginalised positions within households and inappropriate use of transfers. Concerns also exist around transfers perversely incentivising care. Stronger links between social protection and social services are needed to support children’s care, but this must not overburden social services or divert resources from protecting children from abuse and neglect.

Conclusions
Cash transfers have the potential to improve quality of care and help prevent loss of parental care. They may provide crucial financial support to kinship or foster carers, although safeguards are needed. More effective sensitisation within schemes could reduce negative and improve positive impacts. The creation of links between social protection and social services should be undertaken, but policy makers and planners should carefully consider target groups and associated support, and appropriate division of roles and responsibilities between staff cadres.