At the core of what we at DCYCC stand for, is a deep and abiding belief that ‘’a child develops best within the loving support of family, and if possible, the first choice should be the child’s own biological family’’. Unfortunately, there are times when efforts to preserve family fail, and to ensure the safety of a child, they are removed from the family unit and placed into our care for a period.
It is during this time that our child care team works to prepare the child to be reunified with their family. You may ask, …but why? After all the child was removed from the family. One of the principles of family preservation is that families and indeed individuals have the ability to change when given adequate support. And that when we meet them where they are, motivate them to identify what needs to change and then support them in taking responsibility for the changes, that the family system heals and becomes a healthy place for children to develop.
Every year we do our best to achieve the goal of reunification and this year has been no different. Having promoted connectedness with family and community, extremely important for a child’s sense of identity, families have achieved the changes required for the return of their children. Witnessing the enthusiastic participation of family and children during the Parental Support Programme offered by our child care team each year, is evidence of their commitment to the processes required for the return of their child. It is always a great pleasure for us to share the number of children who we have had a hand in successfully reunifying with their families. This year a total of 16 children will be reunited with biological family.
Successful reintegration of children back into family and community is only achieved through the collaborated efforts between our child and youth care centre and the specific agency responsible for the management of the case. We take this opportunity to thank the relevant District Offices of the Department of Social Development and Child Welfare Agencies for their partnership over this past year.
This is always a bitter sweet time for our children, whilst on the one-hand there are those preparing for returning into the care of family, there is another group who will just visit with family for a period over the holiday and yet another group, who for a wide variety of reasons cannot, have to remain with us for the entire holiday. Each group has its own cauldron of thoughts and feelings to deal with. Behaviour gives expression to fear, anxiety, disappointment, pain… the list is long. Indeed, it is an emotional period for all. Here are some of the steps we take to help children manage their feelings;
- Keep a very close eye on any changes in the child’s usual behaviour.
- When change is noted, come alongside the child, and let him/her know that we can see something is bothering them.
- Encourage him/her to identify and express the feeling in words, picture, song, poem, prayer……any healthy form of expression.
- Acknowledge the feelings expressed.
- Sit with them in, and through the feeling.
- Reassure him/her that these feelings are part of transition.