Child & Youth Care Worker

The Homestead: Child & Youth Care Worker, Bishop Lavis RISIHA

Position Advertised: Child & Youth Care Worker (RISIHA)

Closing Date: 7 June 2023

Expected Start Date: 20 June 2023

Remuneration: R5 750

The Homestead Projects for Street Children successfully transitions neglected and traumatised children away from the street, back home, or onto successful independent living through a holistic set of prevention, outreach, stabilisation, residential care and family reunification, and youth transition programmes. 

The Homestead seeks to appoint a qualified Child Youth Care Worker at our Bishop Lavis RISIHA Site which offers psycho-social support, family preservation services and developmental programmes to 100 vulnerable, who are at risk of street life, abuse and chronic neglect. The programme assesses children’s needs and implements developmental programmes that address their needs holistically, using the 7 domains of the core package of services (RISIHA model).

The Homestead currently operates a RISIHA programme (formerly known as the Isibindi Model) at Bishop Lavis. The programme assists vulnerable children and orphans, some of whom run child-headed households or live on the street. The programme also has a safe park, where children can play and enjoy various activities, such as drama, dance, and poetry.

The ideal candidate will have a completed qualification in Child and Youth Care work, and a passion for working with children, specifically at-risk children. The preferred candidate should possess strong leadership qualities, demonstrating their ability to guide and inspire their colleagues in the field of child and youth care. Furthermore, they should serve as an exemplary role model, offering sound guidance and setting a positive example.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Ensure planned activities/programmes are: developmental, recreational, age-appropriate, and needs-based to comply with Regulations 75 of the Children’s Act

• Reporting – Compile a monthly plan for the implementation of programmes for the children and families as well as monthly reports thereafter.

• Deliver programmes in accordance with the core package of services 7 domains:

• Conduct planned home visits for each child within your care, home visits must be linked to the child’s IDP

• Submit a written report on each home visit to the Programme Manager within 4 days

• Link and refer clients to the relevant resources

• Coordinate family support programmes

• Run awareness programmes in the community

• Supervise and mentor 9 student CYCWs in the programme

• Identify and manage each child’s emotional needs holistically and sensitively

• Record keeping of the work done within the programme 

Minimum Requirements

• Proficient in English & Afrikaans

• Registered Aux CYCW or CYCW

• Proof of current 2023 registration with the SA Council for Social Service Professions

• Proven field experience in the CYCW field

• Good people skills and communication

• Understanding of the respective Acts, Policies and procedures and legislation – committed and follow through 

• Displaying warmth, empathy, affection, non-judgemental, understanding attitude

• Willingness to undergo psychometric testing, complete a pre-employment polygraph examination as well as to undergo in-depth reference and character checks

• Confirmation that your name does not appear on the Child Protection register and there is no reason why you cannot work with children

• Emotional intelligence, insight into behaviour management, good organisational and administrative skills

• Basic computer skills or willingness to attend courses to learn

Preference will be given to people living within walking distance and in proximity to Bishop Lavis.

To apply, please submit a motivation letter, CV with two recent and contactable references, and qualifications to:

careers@thehomestead.org.za 

For more about Homestead Projects for Street Children, refer to www.homestead.org.za