CURRENT ISSUES AMONG CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

CURRENT ISSUES AMONG CHILD AND YOUTH CARE WORKERS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

I am not writing in any other than my private capacity. I am not writing to defend any organisation but in the spirit of STRAIGHT TALK and toward an understanding of the facts that surround these issues when that is applicable. What is set out in this blog are the views of a number of child and youth care workers in the field right now.

This is the first in a series of blogs that consider these issues and sets out to engage with the issues that are being expressed by child and youth care workers in the social media.

The issues that are expressed are genuine, serious,real issues for child and youth care workers and are frequently accompanied with reason to leave the profession.

STIPENDS DELAYED
Most frequently expressed is the issue that child and youth care workers in a number of projects in some provinces are experiencing long delays in receiving their stipends and in some instances that they are experiencing non payment.

STIPENDS vs SALARIES
Also is an issue as to whether payment should be in the form of a stipend or a salary. The issue centres around the form of understanding with the Department of Social Development when in the first instance it appears  that child and youth care workers are "employed"by the Department of Social Development then in the period of training do the work within the scope of practice of a child and youth care worker at the Auxiliary level..

RATIO OF PAY

Firstly,child and youth care workers are saying that the rate of pay varies from one province to the other. Secondly the issue expressed is that its not a livable salary having obtained an FETC qualification at level 4 or a degree in child and youth care work. Further comment is that the salaries of Social Workers and that of child and youth care workers are not within the policy of the polic of parity of equal salaries for equal qualifications and equal work.

NEED TO SUBMIT A PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONS ( SACSSP)
The current regulations for the registration of a child and youth care worker to register at the professional level with the SACSSP requires that graduates with a level 7 degree submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates competence to practice at Level8.. At the time of their graduation the degree was available only at level 7.and they had an understanding that it would be a qualification leading to registration and practice at the professional level

THE IMPRESSION THAT CHILD AND YOUTH CARE IS A LESSER VALUED PROFESSION THAN SOCIAL WORK
 Social work, it is said is being regarded as the dominant social service profession with child and youth care being regarded as no more that being a nanny to children.The impression that some child and youth care workers have is the this enhanced value to Social Work is perpetuated also by the Professional Board for Child and Youth Care who, it is alleged lean toward this view.


THE UNAVAILABILITY OF UNIVERSITY STUDY AFTER OBTAINING AN INITIAL QUALIFICATION
Only two Universities offer a level 6 qualification in child and youth care work. The one is residential and the other a private university. Career pathways appear to be limited.

THIS BLOG
Barrie talks child and youth care will engage with these issues over the next few weeks

BARRIE