Caregivers’ experiences of providing alternative care to children who have experienced interpersonal trauma in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

Background: In South Africa, there are high rates of children who experience interpersonal trauma as a result of physical, sexual or emotional abuse; neglect; or abandonment. If a child is maltreated and is identified to need care and protection, they may be removed from the harmful environment and placed in an alternative care placement. This may be a temporary safe care placement, a foster care home, or a Child and Youth Care Centre. There is a paucity of research into caregivers’ experiences within these alternative care placements.