Striving to make a difference for children
While dedicated to helping families overcome obstacles and embark on the path of healing, Child Welfare social workers also worked with 93 children who were either in foster or alternative care.
NEWCASTLE CENTRAL – A total of 172 families received assistance from Child Welfare Newcastle over the past year.
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At the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 23, Farieda Mia, senior social worker, said the organisation assessed the needs of the families, and counselled children, parents, and couples.
“Therapeutic non-statutory services were also rendered to 183 individuals and families. The activities included counselling children, parents, couples, marital and divorce issues, as well as family conflict resolution, and where necessary, referral to other relevant service providers,” Ms Mia said.
While dedicated to helping families overcome obstacles and embark on the path of healing, Child Welfare social workers also worked with 93 children who were either in foster or alternative care.
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“We were able to ensure contact between the children and their family was maintained. Contact between foster children, children at Morester Children’s Home, St Anthony;s and their biological parents is vital to ensure children develop a sense of belonging.”
However, Ms Mia emphasised the supervision of existing cases was still ongoing, and the organisation was liaising with police, children’s homes, and places of safety on a regular basis to ensure vulnerable children were monitored.
The organisation also undertook several awareness programmes with children, adults and the aged.
The programmes touched on child pornography, domestic violence, the dangers of social networking, and parenting programmes.
“Our aim is to protect and promote the interest, well-being, safety and development of children within the context of the family and community,” Ms Mia concluded.
Morris Gajoo, chairperson of the Child Welfare committee, focused on child abuse. Despite legislation to protect children, the youth were still victim to crime, sometimes violent, he said.
“Despite our sophisticated legal framework, South Africa is still marked by high levels of violence and exploitation of children. Recorded levels do not accurately reflect the full extent of the problem, because many cases go unreported.”
He said social workers were faced with the mammoth task of addressing social ills and their effect on the youth.
The community was encouraged to get involved with Child Welfare to promote an environment conducive to the well-being and safeguarding of children.
