Family-Based Social Work and Child Development Outcomes in Maiduguri, Borno State

The humanitarian crisis in Borno State resulting from prolonged armed conflict has severely disrupted family structures and child development trajectories, creating acute demand for family-centred social work services. This study examines the relationship between family-based social work interventions and child development outcomes in Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey approach, data are collected from 100 families in internally displaced persons camps and host communities in Maiduguri and Jere local government areas. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions are employed, with data analysed using descriptive statistics. The study finds that family-based interventions including parenting support, psychosocial counselling, and food assistance demonstrably improve children's school attendance, nutritional status, and emotional stability. Social workers in IDP settings are among the most active practitioners, though they frequently face burnout and secondary trauma. The study observes that children separated from parents present the most complex cases requiring intensive and sustained social work engagement. Recommendations include increasing investment in family tracing and reunification programmes, deploying trained child protection social workers to all IDP camps, and institutionalising supervision and self-care mechanisms for practitioners operating in conflict-affected settings. Keywords: family-based social work, child development, IDPs, Maiduguri, conflict settings