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Child and Youth Care Workers Regional Mini Conference

Child and Youth Care Workers Regional Mini Conference

The Durban University of Technology’s Department of Child and Youth Development in association with the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW) held their Regional Mini Conference which was aimed at encouraging aspiring Child Care Workers as well as to empower those who are already on the field.

This conference, which is first to be hosted in KZN, was held at the Cane Growers Hall, ML Sultan Campus, on September 14, 2012. The programme was rich with different speakers sharing their experiences and raising awareness about the Child Care Act which child care workers need to understand and also ensure that their centres adhere to it.

Thabani Buthelezi from the National Department of Social Development said the department is working closely with civil society and children’s homes, adding that the Department is hoping to create at least 10 000 jobs in the near future.

“Our Department has been in talks with other sectors to increase child care workers and there are funds available for people who want to study Child Care and other relevant courses”, said Buthelezi.

Speaking about the Child Act, Merle Allsopp, National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW) national Director said the Act stipulates that all children must have their developmental, therapeutic, educational, recreational and health needs met at all child and youth care centres.

She said the centres need to provide conducive and adequate facilities and should be aligned with disability strategy and independent living equipment. “As child and youth care workers, we are not only feeding and clothing the children but should be able to feed their souls” said Allsopp.

Giving motivation at the conference was DUT Child and Youth Development graduate and Work Intergrated Learning Co-ordinator Jennifer Maphanga who spoke highly of the positions that child care workers hold in communities. She said to be a good child care worker, one needs to be self empowered, adding that “every day is an opportunity to learn new things, knowing is not enough but once you know you have to apply the knowledge.”

Allsopp added that Child and Youth Care is the future, is a field in demand, and there is always a child who needs to be taken care of. “Our work is exciting, deep and it is soul work, we help children grow”, she said.

–Nomvula Sikakane
Caption: Jackie Winfield; DUT Child and Youth Care Lecturer, Sandy Maduray; KZN regional NACCW Chairperson, Zeni Thumbadoo; NACCW Director, Thabani Buthelezi National Department of Social Development and Merle Allsopp NACCW National Director.

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