Guiding the care of child-headed households

Welfare institutions have struggled to come to terms with child-headed households. In particular, how to deal with the complex and varied nature of these households that requires the involvement of several sectors and co-operation between all spheres of government and civil society. Stanley Molefi and Zitha Mokomane recount a new approach to this issue. The nature of families is changing all over the world. In sub-Saharan Africa this involves high levels of labour migration with parents leaving their children behind; high levels of poverty; the impact of HIV and AIDS, and political instability and conflict that often force children to migrate alone to seek asylum. Child-headed households are one of the most documented family structures to have emerged in recent years as a result of these changes. These households are characterised by the absence of a parent/caregiver, and by a child or youth assuming the role of primary caregiver in respect of another child or other children in the household, providing basic needs such as food, clothing and psychological support. Child-headed households have profound implications for the wellbeing of children.