We are hiring – social worker vacancy

We are hiring – social worker vacancy

The Durban Child and Youth Care Centre has a vacancy for a resident Social Worker.

Duties associated with the position are case work, group work, community work and statutory work.

Requirements:

  • Four-year Bachelor of Social Work degree.
  • Minimum of five years work experience as a Social Worker within the child protection field, with experience in residential child care being an advantage.
  • Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.
  • Clearance against the Child Protection Register.
  • Valid code 08 driver’s license, with active driving experience.
  • Computer literate on Microsoft Office; Excel and an ability to load information on an online database.
  • Fluency in English, with proficiency in IsiZulu being an advantage.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and project management skills.
  • Strong administration skills.

To apply, please submit a CV with details of three contactable references and a motivation letter to the Director at info@dch.org.za. Please note that only short-listed applications will be contacted. Consider your application as unsuccessful should you not be contacted before the 31st January 2023.

Reflecting on the year and all the lessons learnt

Reflecting on the year and all the lessons learnt

As with previous years, this year has not been without challenges. Challenges invariably call for some form of action from us. We can run and hide, or stand firm, facing the challenge head on. Child care requires that we work developmentally with children and each other as a staff team. One of the guiding principles of the developmental approach is to view challenge, in its many shapes and sizes, as opportunity for growth. And so, as we as an organisation pause to reflect on the year past and look to planning for the New Year, we felt that you might find it interesting to hear of some of the lessons learnt.

  1. We learnt through our efforts that group remedial work is helpful but not always the most effective. Covid restrictions brought to the fore the many struggles our children experience with academics. Funding allowed for professional individual tuition which provided significant assistance, not only for exam preparation but more importantly addressed gaps in understanding work. The results of those who used the opportunity has been encouraging.
  2. A little persistence and useful investigation can change a story. This was proven when our social workers responded to a lead that the biological father of one of our youngster’s was in fact still alive and unaware that his son was in care. With perseverance, some detective work, and burning hope, one clue led to another which resulted in us reuniting a father with his son!
  3. Sometimes help comes in unexpected ways. Miracles happen, and prayers are answered through unanticipated channels, as was the case when a donor visited to help share some light at the centre during loadshedding, with emergency lights and left also having opened the door for our teenagers to access an online leadership course.
  4. The way you treat people is important. Good manners, kindness and respect make an impression on people. Maintaining relationship with all our donors and friends, irrespective of the size of their donation, with a smile, sincere thank you or courteous email makes an enormous difference. We all know that giving should not be done with the intent to getting something in return, however we all want to feel that our efforts are appreciated.
  5. Children with emotional wounds often express their pain through aggression, defiance, self-harming, and blatant disrespect for others. Focussing on the hurting child behind the negative expression of pain is a challenge that requires professional responses delivered with genuine concern and a caring heart. To see or hear from those who were once in our care, embracing life, with all its ups and downs, makes facing the challenging behaviour of children so very worthwhile.

We trust that sharing our learning from these few challenges will challenge you to reframe your challenges and see the opportunity for growth that lie in each and every one of them.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a blessed and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Visitors bring the fun

Visitors bring the fun

Visit from Tafta

On 5 November we welcomed residents of Tafta for an Intergenerational Fun Day. Special thank you goes out to the awesome residents of Tafta who enthusiastically joined in the various games, dancing and face painting, and provided delicious treats for the little ones.

We know our kids enjoyed spending time with you as much as you enjoyed spending time with them!

fun visitorsMore special visitors turned up on Saturday 11 November to spend some time with the children. We had a wonderful day with Miss Nikita and family. Thank you for choosing to spread love and joy to our children. They enjoyed the fun games and treats.

If you are interested in arranging a visit and bringing a little joy into the lives of our children, please contact Nicolette Modika by emailing nicolette@dch.org.za.

How to help our kids stay healthy

How to help our kids stay healthy

Covid restrictions caused both children and adults to adjust to a lifestyle deprived of healthy activities. Remember that going for a run or playing a contact sport wasn’t possible when Covid hit. And even after the restrictions eased, some people suffering from post covid anxiety just naturally refrained from physical activities that required mingling with large groups, whilst others struggled to break unhealthy, comfort eating patterns that had developed.

During this time, I saw first-hand how this affected children in general. Physical Education was suspended in schools and parents were fearful to send their children outdoors to play where they might have come into contact with others.

To promote and maintain good health, children need at least an hour of physical activity each day – either structured or free play. Younger children need even more. According to a qualified children’s health program planner, encouraging  children to be active has a number of physical, mental and social benefits.

With Summer on our doorstep, we thought it may be helpful to share some of the ways in which we encourage our children here at the child and youth care centre to develop a healthy attitude to life.

  1. We get them to drink lots of liquids, preferably water, as its important to keep hydrated during the hot summer days in KZN.
  2. We are really lucky to have a wide range of bright and tasty fruits during this time of the year, think oranges, mangoes, litchis, grapes, etc. A healthy, well-balanced diet supports brain development and eating plenty of fresh fruit boosts overall performance both in and out of school.
  3. Regular exercise helps in the development of basic motor skills, building of muscle, strengthen nof bones, reduces the risk of illnesses, and improves sleep and mental focus.

These are just a few ideas of fun activities to get them started:

  • Running or fast pace walking
  • Playing sports; soccer, cricket, basketball
  • Swimming
  • Have a dance party
  • Go treasure hunting
  • Skipping or hopscotch

It doesn’t matter what the activity is, the end goal is to stay active, so be creative! And the advantage of using these ideas to stay active and healthy is that it doesn’t cost a lot.

Extra lessons help children catch up academically

Extra lessons help children catch up academically

Many of our children struggle to cope with certain subjects at school. Before being placed with us they may not have attended school regularly, missing crucial lessons and making it difficult for them to catch up.

When the team from Chester Group heard about this, they generously offered to sponsor the cost of extra tuition for children in need. Thanks to their donation, we were able to employ the services of Diko Tutors.

Initially, we decided to focus on the senior grades, with Matric being the most important of them all. Sinabo, the tutor, has been spending the most time with our Grade 10-12 learners, to ensure they have all the support they need to pass their end of year exams.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we can’t wait for the school to issue reports so we can measure our learners’ progress. Unfortunately, reports will only be available in Term 4. However, we have already seen much improvement.  Nolwazi was able to get 78% for her accounting assignment, Sbonga obtained 76% in her business studies assignment, and managed 54% in the exam. Simphiwe, who is in grade 11, has also done well with her assignments.

Thank you Chester Group and Sinabo from Diko Tutors for helping our children.