Child and Youth Care Work

Introduction

This Qualification aims to address some of the needs of the large numbers of enthusiastic but generally poorly trained people for high quality learning and assessment opportunities if they are to meet the requirements of the Social Welfare and Child Care sectors. The possibilities for incremental learning, which builds on generic social work and/or child care training, must be created if the sector is to make the equitable distribution of skills a reality. In addition, there are people who have been working in the sector for some time, and who have gained the additional skills and expertise required through systematic on-the-job training or practical experience. This Qualification offers possibilities for appointment in line with their recognized skills.

Purpose Of The Qualification

This Qualification is an entry-level qualification for those who want to enter the field of Child & Youth Care Work (C&YCW) as a potential career. It builds on practical experience and community-based learning, and equips people for their role as an auxiliary child and youth care worker. As such the Qualification will also be valuable for those who may have been practicing within the field, but without formal recognition.

Career Outcomes

There is an increasing call for the skills particular to child care work across diverse sectors including prisons, hospitals, schools and communities. South Africa’s unique combination of threats and circumstances presents a special challenge in the area of children at risk. Those who work with children at risk must be empowered to promote and facilitate the optimum development of children and adolescents with both normal and special developmental needs, so as to ensure that they are able to be effective within all contexts.