Social Worker – Francistown – SOS Children’s Villages

 

Reporting to the Alternative Care Coordinator, the candidate’s primary role will be to ensure that the gate-keeping procedures for the admission and departure of children into and from the SOS Children’s Village Programmes are properly followed. S/he provides advice, guidance and support to Caregivers, and works closely with them to plan appropriate programmes for the development of each child. S/he works with close reference to the UNCRC, Moving Forward: implementing the Guidelines for the Alternative Care and the SOS Child Protection Policy. As part of the Programme Management Team s/he supports staff members on issues relating to the Caregivers and children. In addition;

Gate-keeping Procedures

• Assess and evaluate all available information on children based on the necessity and suitability principle and put forward for discussion in the SOS Children’s Village Admission Committee
• Obtains the relevant legal documents relating to children under SOS CV care; court orders, birth certificates, consent from guardians as well as relevant death certificates. Provide such information and documentation to the state welfare authorities, relevant Programme Staff and National Office staff as and when required
• Assess cases of children who are ready for re-unification, using the child/youth development plan, and work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition of the children into their respective communities
• Administer the acquisition of court orders for all children registered under the care of SOS Children’s Villages
• Participate in the admission and exiting of families in the Family Strengthening Programme

Ensure that the Basic Needs of Each Child in the SOS Children’s Village Programme are addressed

• Work with the caregivers to assess the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of each child
• Support the development of an appropriate plan of action, with the child’s caregiver, Alternative Care Manager/Village Director and the Child & Youth Development Coordinator, to meet the needs of the child and to guide him/her to become a well-balanced individual. As far as possible, address the child’s needs including his/her natural family.
• Provide children in FS as well as FC with individual counselling whenever necessary; working closely with internal and external stakeholders to provide holistic support
• Seek the support of other welfare organisations, social workers and other specialists, in matters concerning the children, wherever appropriate
• Ensure that stakeholders, caregivers and other relevant parties adhere to the SOS CV child protection policy as well as the Children’s Act of 2009 when working with and around children in SOS CV care.

Support the Caregivers In Their Parental Role

• Minimize institutional features in the SOS Care setting without compromising quality
• Provide counselling, advice, guidance and support to all caregivers in the SOS CV programmes
• Support the Child & Youth Development Coordinator & Alternative Care Manager/Village Director in designing and implementing a wellness programme for caregivers
• Facilitate workshops which encourage the overall development of the Caregivers; to improve their ability to care for their children and to live a balanced life
• Facilitate in-service training of the Caregivers; enhancing their skills and knowledge on childcare
• Liaises with the government authorities in all cases of children admitted into the SOS programmes as well as Alternative Care Manager/Village Director; ensuring that children are adequately supported regardless of the type of programme/care they are under
• Ensure that all caregivers safeguard and protect the children entrusted to their care at all times by adhering to both national laws and the SOS child protection policy.

Programme Management and Stakeholder Participation

• Prepare and consult with other staff members and the children within the village; with a view to the reception and integration of new children into the village
• Provide advice, guidance and support to the other members of the Programme Management Team (PMT) in matters relating to the welfare of Caregivers and children; using the UNCRC and alternative care guidelines
• Work closely with the Educational facilities/schools in identifying and addressing issues affecting the children
• Work closely with Child and Youth Development Coordinator as well as Family Strengthening Coordinator on issues affecting caregivers
• Liaise with the relevant state welfare authorities in the referral and admission of children into the SOS Children’s Village; promote a good working relationship with the state welfare authorities
• Develop good relations within other organisations and individuals involved in the field of social welfare (e.g. psychologists) who may provide services to the Village.

Sponsorship

• Write child profiles/ registration of the children who have been admitted into SOS CV care; paying particular attention to the processing of Child Registration Documents
• Compile appealing and accurate Child midyear letters, end of year letters and share with the Sponsorship office
• Collect data from CYDC and FS on child progress to be used in child reports
• Respond to sponsor queries as and when required by the Sponsorship office
• Ensure that admission and departure policies are followed; all documentation should be up to date, complete and accurate. This includes the identity of the children
• Update sponsorship office on any child data changes ; share with Sponsorship office and the Programme Secretary

Child Safeguarding

• Custodian of all child-safeguarding cases
• Compiles all child-safeguarding reports, initial report, risk analysis, action plan and closure report
• . All follow-ups case including in the community

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Maintenance and Management of Programme Database
• Ensure accurate statistics is kept at all times
• Perform any other reasonable and lawful duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Preferred Skills and Competencies for the above position

Ø First degree in Social Work

Ø Fluency in English, oral and written

Ø Demonstrate good knowledge of child, youth, family and community development

Ø Good knowledge of National gender and child care legislation

Ø 3 years’ work experience in the related field

Ø Clean Driver’s License

Ø Ability to work in a busy and dynamic environment

We offer a competitive NGO salary with medical aid and pension fund.

In accordance with the organization’s child protection policy, all employment is subject to applicable background checks, including criminal record check.

In addition to a meaningful, challenging sphere of work, the chance to develop you both personally and professional.