Listen to thisThis program was started as we at Cape Youth Care began to see that there were children in the communities in which we worked who found themselves faced with risk factors but not to the extent that social workers felt it necessary to remove the children from their home environment. We wondered whether we could provide a holistic program which could meet the needs of these children and their families. This was how we came to start the partial care program.
The actual program
At present we run the program 3 days a week and during all long school
holidays. The program runs from 14h30-18h00 and the program consists of
4 sections (1) fun, relaxation and games; (2) school work assistance;
(3) snack/meal and (4) a life skill component. The purpose of each
session, is to provide a “safe space” in the afternoons where children
can develop holistically whilst their parents are at work. It also keeps
the children off the street. The focus of the staff is to develop
therapeutic relationships with their focus on children and adapt the 4
sessions to meet the differing need of individual children. At present
we run the program with 2 staff members and 2 volunteers which mean we
have a ration of 5 children to 1 adult. This ratio enables us to tailor
make the program for particular children. Once a week all staff meet to
discuss their focus children and to plan for the coming week. If we feel
it is required “we do offer services to the entire family through our
intensive family support program.
Theoretical Approach to Partial Care
The staff and volunteers work with the strength based development model.
We are also trying to apply the principles of the positive peer culture
in the way we work with the young people. We also function from the
belief that each child belongs at home with his/her community and we aim
to build support structures to facilitate this.
Case study/success story
Child X lives in a wendy house with her mother and 5 siblings one of
whom is severely handicapped. Her mom is unemployed but receives a
disability grant and money for the handicapped child. At the time X
began the Partial Care program she was 14 in grade 5 and failing due to
lack of attendance at school. The school also complained of her
behaviour when present. Her mum could not contain her at home and there
were reports of her using dagga and alcohol as often as possible. When
asked about her behaviour she would say she is bored! Through attending
the partial care program we have assisted her to change to one which
meets her academic needs but places her in a supportive environment (the
BEST center). She attends school daily and is a pleasure to teach. She
participates enthusiastically in our program and one can see the changes
from an angry withdrawn child to an extroverted happy child with a
wonderful sense of humor! Recently she exclaimed to a staff member “You
know since coming here I do not need to smoke and drink any more because
I am not bored!” We have received positive feedback from the community
that they do not recognize X as the child they one knew.
Conclusion
The staff at the Partial Care Program believes that this is the way of
the future “working with children and their families at home in their
communities. Creating safe spaces for children without them ever leaving
home! We as staff have grown immensely from journeying with these
children, watching them face and find solutions to adversity and
celebrate themselves, their families and communities “and become all
they were intended to be!
This feature: Rodgers, Y. (2003). The partial care program. Child and Youth Care. Vol.23 No.11 p.11
