Exploring the Policy Environment Deficit Associated with the Care of Children by Grandparents in Libode, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The purpose of this study is to explore the policy environment associated with the care of children by grandparents, believing that such policies provide guidance, clarity, and accountability of the grandparents-children care. The study utilized a qualitative research approach and a qualitative paradigm. Data collection involved in-depth interviews of 5 social workers from the social development Libode service office and 5 teachers from Zwelakhe Secondary Primary School (SPS) in Libode, Eastern Cape. While empirical findings revealed the absence of a policy to guide family caregiving issues, secondary data also found no specific policy for the care of children by grandparents. The researchers recommend that the government and other child-friendly and elderly-friendly organisations such as NGOs develop specific policies to guide the care of children by their grandparents, provide requisite resources, and provide necessary information on caregiving and available support systems. Conclusively, this study can inform factors that favour or confound the caregiving of children by their grandparents. Secondly, it might help to inform policymakers on the need to buttress some policies that will ensure that requisite resources are provided to the grandparents to adequately meet the care of their grandchildren. Moreover, the study will widen the horizon of literature on the topic under inquiry by bringing new insights into the scholarship. Keywords: Family Caregiving Policy, Family Caregiving Acknowledgement, Human Rights of Children and Older Persons, Best Interest of Children.