Social workers warn of Nigerian children taken into care in UK
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Social workers say many Nigerian parents in the UK lose custody of their children after breaching British child protection rules. The Association of Nigerian Social Workers in the UK is calling on the Nigerian Commission to support families and provide better information, Punch reports.
Nigerian social workers in the UK are calling on the Nigerian Commission in London to help parents understand British child protection rules, as families lose custody of their children over parenting practices deemed unacceptable. The call was made by the Association of Nigerian Social Workers in the UK, according to the Nigerian daily Punch.
The association’s president, Barizoge Neenwi, called for early intervention and support for Nigerian communities from social workers and the diplomatic mission. She said some parents, who work several jobs and are unfamiliar with British culture, do not know that social services can advise and defend them.
The association’s secretary-general, Kemi Aare, warned that corporal punishment causing injuries or raising safeguarding concerns can be considered physical abuse in the UK and lead to intervention by children’s services. Family conflicts, parental stress, mental health problems, housing and the absence of a support network can also contribute to children being taken into care, she added.
