Citation

Hope J, Wyk C. Child Abuse Res. South Afr. 2019; 20(2): 88-101.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Literature highlights that the best interest of the child standard is difficult to translate into practice as there is no clear definition, leaving it open to interpretation and subjective bias. There is limited research on the best interest of the child in relation to child protection practice. This article provides insight into emergency child protection services with children at risk in the Western Cape of South Africa, and how the best interest of the child can be applied and integrated in practice. The findings of this study revealed that the best interest of the child standard is not being applied holistically throughout the child protection process, but rather as a fragmented approach which has a negative impact on children at risk. Recommendations from this study highlight the importance of the best interest of the child being applied as an integrated, whole standard within and throughout the child protection process. The theoretical framework of this study is from a rights-based perspective which is grounded in legislation (UNCRC, Children's Act, best interest of the child standard).

Language: en