Nigerian parents in UK losing children to child services over discipline methods —Social workers
The Association of Nigerian Social Workers in the United Kingdom (ANSWUK) has warned that an increasing number of Nigerian parents living in the UK are losing custody of their children due to violations of British child safeguarding laws.
The professional body has appealed to the Nigerian High Commission in London to collaborate with social care experts to educate, support, and advocate for diaspora families navigating the UK’s strict legal frameworks.
Cultural friction and corporal punishment risks
Speaking on the challenges facing migrant families, the President of the association, Barizoge Neenwi, noted that many Nigerian parents work multiple jobs to survive and often remain unaware of the statutory support systems available to them.
“They need to be educated, enlightened, and supported, and early intervention is key,” Neenwi stated, emphasising that early cooperation with social services can prevent formal child removal proceedings.
The group’s Secretary-General, Kemi Aare, highlighted that traditional disciplinary methods, particularly corporal punishment, frequently trigger intervention from British authorities.
“In the United Kingdom, physical punishment that causes injury or raises safeguarding concerns can be regarded as physical abuse and may lead to intervention from children’s services,” Aare explained. “What may be considered normal parenting practice in one country can sometimes be interpreted differently under UK legislation.”
Aare added that compounding factors such as parental stress, domestic conflict, isolation from family support networks, and housing difficulties further heighten safeguarding risks.
However, she emphasised that child removal by UK social services is legally treated as a measure of last resort when a child faces significant risk of harm.
Calls for diplomatic intervention
The association urged the Nigerian High Commission to step in proactively to safeguard the welfare of its citizens and provide legal and administrative backing for families facing child protection investigations.
The warning comes amid previous high-profile cases, including an incident in December 2024 where a Nigerian mother in Durham, England, had her children taken into care by British social services following allegations made to school authorities, prompting appeals for diplomatic intervention.
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