Complexities in the Case Management of Unaccompanied Minors: Perceptions of Social Workers Practicing in the Polokwane Child and Youth Care Centres

Abstract

Post-apartheid South Africa has become a preferred destination for migrants and refugees from across different parts of the globe, particularly the African and Asian continents. The influx of foreign nationals into the country has contributed to an increase in the number of unaccompanied refugee minors as they either travel alone or become separated from caregivers or parents once they have entered the country. This situation has complicated the management aspects of the cases of unaccompanied minors at the local level. The purpose of this article is to explore the experiences of social workers in the management of the cases of unaccompanied refugee minors in the Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) in the Polokwane area. Qualitative data was collected by employing face-to-face interviews as well as observation techniques and data was analysed by applying the qualitative thematic approach. The findings highlighted that most of the unaccompanied minors were in dire need and lacked proper documentation. It was also revealed that a number of perilous child protection challenges existed in the management of the cases of unaccompanied minors. These include the limited capacity of social workers, lack of intersectoral integration and collaboration, and insufficient allocation of resources to tackle the multiple dilemmas that affect unaccompanied minors in the CYCCs. The study concludes that despite the solid international legal framework and South Africa having a relatively well-developed legal and policy framework governing child protection, there are a number of critical child protection gaps that exist in terms of the implementation of these frameworks for unaccompanied or separated foreign children, by government officials.