the Social Worker and Other Staff
Challenges
Funding and Resource Difficulties
Difficulty in Contacting Parents and Carers
Not Prioritising Social Work Sessions
Financial Difficulties (parents and carers)
Financial Difficulties (students)
Chapter 12Social Workers in Schools and the Role of Specialist Supervision
Chapter 13Theories and Approaches to Practicing Social Work in Boarding Schools
Task-centred Practice
Strength-based Approaches
Solution-focussed Approach
Person-centred Practice
Group Work
Part SevenIssues Challenges & Opportunities
Chapter 14Contemporary Issues
Class Repetition
Sexual Exploitation
Bullying
Health and Safety
Sleeping, Toilet and Shower Arrangements
Anti-social Behaviour (ASB)
Development of Identities
Belief in Witchcraft/Spirit Possession
Housing/Accommodation
Online Exploitation
Food, Nutrition & Exercise
Sleep and Rest
Children with Disabilities
Sex and Sexualised Behaviour
Behaviour Problems
Exeat/Weekend Out of School
Poverty
Chapter 15Challenges & Opportunities
Understanding the Role of the Social Worker
Staff Training and Expertise
Acceptance
Needs Assessments and Processes
Funding and Resources
The Availability of Time
Opportunities
Child Protection Committees
Home-school Liaison
Multi-professional Support and Intervention
Educational Attainment
Protective Behaviour Work
Parent Forums
Well-being
Online Reporting
Case Studies
Part EightConcluding Arguments
Some Recommendations
The Argument for and Against
Benefits
Meeting the Requirements of UNCRC, MDG’s and SDG’s
Education and Support
Mediation
Limitations
Suspicion
Administrative Burdens
The Home Environment
Wider Applicability of Ideas and Concepts
Learning from Stacey
Concluding Remarks
Appendix 1 Checklist for Setting up Child Protection Processes in Boarding Schools
Appendix 2 Referral Form
Appendix 3 The ‘Sixteen Principles of Education’ by Governor Gordon Guggisburg
Foreword
Prospera Dzang-Tedam’s quest for social justice goes as far back as her Bachelor of Arts days at the University of Ghana (1992-1996). In contributing to research, her Long Essay (dissertation) took her on a journey that questioned the relevance of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and the human rights violation of same against women’s Human Rights. This book, ‘Child Protection in Boarding Schools in Ghana: Contemporary Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’ seeks to contribute to finding solutions to a phenomenon which is silent but potent enough to stifle the progress of the country if not managed. So often we hear society allude to ‘our children, are our future’.
In recent conversation with Prospera Dzang-Tedam, she questioned if this perception is also informing the tendency to defer, relinquish and procrastinate on the present needs of ‘our children’. How do we expect a bumper harvest, when seedlings are not carefully selected, and no attention paid to the quality of the soil? Current trends and informing elements of the world have made the parenting and training of children an enormous task for both parents and teachers, more so in the case of the girl-child. Globally and more so in Africa, of which Ghana is part, the socio-biological context of the girl-child leaves the cohort at risk for failure to develop and contribute to society. In the context of nation-building and social development, this calls for concerted efforts from stakeholders to ensure the optimal development of the girl-child.
