The applicant should be able to:
Provide prevention services that are aimed at strengthening children, individuals, families and communities to prevent deterioration of functioning or development of problems that may lead to statutory action.
Provide early intervention services to vulnerable children or children at risk, as well as families where there are children identified as being vulnerable or at risk of harm or removal into alternative care.
Carry out statutory intervention, which may include:
• Removal of a child to temporary safe care with or without a court order.
• Investigation of the circumstances of a child and his family, completing the necessary safety and risk assessment tools.
• Compilation of a report advising the children’s court as to whether a child is in need of care and protection.
• Investigation of the circumstances of the prospective foster parent(s) or adoptive parent(s) if either foster care or adoption is the most appropriate placement option.
• Investigation of the placement option of a child in a child and youth care centre if no other option exists.
• Compilation of an individual development plan (IDP), family development plan, and parenting plan for a child in alternative care and his parents/caregivers, focusing on strengths and aiming to build competency.
• Investigation of the option of court ordered early intervention services, including counselling, mediation, therapy, behaviour modification, problem solving or rehabilitation programmes for the child and his or her family.
• Providing reports to assist the court in considering the best way of securing stability in a child’s life.
• Rendering supervision and reunification services for children placed in alternative care.
• Compiling reports entailing an assessment of the child’s best interest and reunification.
• Implementation of any order made by the children’s court.
Qualifications:
• Minimum of Bachelor of Social Work qualification
• Member of good standing with SACSSP
In addition, the applicant should be:
• Fluent in English and Xhosa as a minimum.
• A resident of the Overstand municipal area.
• Conversant with the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 (as amended by the Children’s Amendment Act 41 of 2007) and the associated Regulations came into force on 1 April 2010.
• A competent user of computer word-processing and spreadsheet programmes.
• A competent driver with a valid driver’s licence.
• A team player with mature interpersonal skills and conflict resolution abilities.
• Willing to work after hours as required from time to time in emergency situations.
• Willing to learn and submit to organisation policies and procedures.
