Minister Fernandez hails CYCWs amidst Covid-19 pandemic

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez hails all Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) in the Province, as we recognise the valuable contributions and dedication of child and youth care workers, and the role they play in improving the wellbeing of vulnerable children and their families.International Child and Youth Care Week is being celebrated from the 4th to the 10th of May 2020.

Minister Fernandez said: “ This special week is an opportunity to celebrate the important role of these heroines and heroes, who render care and developmental work of a routine nature to our children, youth, adults and any other service user in need of care. I further wish to pay special tribute and thank these individuals who understand the hardships faced by our nation, but who are always at the frontline in circumstances that require caring about others or when one is needed to go the extra mile for the sake of others.”

In the Western Cape, there are currently 653 care workers, and 9 care centres. Furthermore, DSD also funds 53 NPO child care centres in the Province.

These facilities offer a conducive and enhanced residential environment for children in need of care and protection through a multi -programme and specialist service model that assists in the reintegration of children into their communities.

Provincial DSD has also briefed all its funded Child and Youth Care centres regarding the appropriate hygiene and social distancing rules and guidelines that must be adhered to, to prevent the further spread of the Corornavirus.

According to the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)  in order to safeguard the public as well as the integrity of the professions, no-one may practice social work or child and youth care work (at professional and auxiliary levels) without being registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as stipulated in the Social Service Professions Act 110 of 1978. Thus, registration is mandatory for social workers, social auxiliary workers, student social workers, student social auxiliary workers, child and youth care workers, auxiliary child and youth care workers, student child and youth care workers, and student auxiliary child and youth care workers.

“Caring in child care, especially in the context of South African communities, connects the worker deeply to the child and family. It is in the performing of child and youth care tasks that the worker develops, grows and blossoms. Our Child and Youth Care Workers that they are contributing to nation building when they persist in accessing the documents and grants, when they walk long distances in the hot sun to visit families, when they sit in long queues to collect medication, when they wipe tears, when they respond immediately to calls for help, even in the night. It is in this regard, that I wish to recognise the passionate contributions and dedication of those in the child and youth care field,” concluded Minister Fernandez.