Introduction
The role of the Case Management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Children in Need of Care and Protection cannot be overemphasized. These SOPs describe guiding principles, procedures, roles and responsibilities in the prevention of and response to child protection for children residing within Ghana. The SOPs build on national and Ghana based practices, protocols and legal frameworks as well as international minimum standards. They are designed to be used together with existing resources related to prevention and response to child protection.
This Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is intended as a guide for social workers in handling case of children in need of care and protection. This document focuses on direct assistance, case plan, case implementation and reintegration. The SOPs aims at building the capacity of all social workers in Ghana, especially those of the Department of Social Welfare. By applying the operating procedures outlined in this document, social workers will be better equipped to provide comprehensive and holistic assistance to children in need of care and protection.
The document provides some background information, the case management processes in the Ghana context and sample standardized case management forms to help in documenting the process.
The Case Management Standard Operating Procedures for Children in Need of Care and Protection was developed by the Department of Social Welfare under the Care Reform Initiative umbrella with funding from USAID. This document is the result of extensive consultations with stakeholders at all decentralized levels. Additionally, the document is informed by international guidelines and minimum standards, including but not limited to the 2012 Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, the 2014 Inter-agency Guidelines for Case management and Child Protection as well as SOPs for Child Protection of other countries.
