08/02/10

Trainers on social work with children learned how to prevent child separation effectively

On the 5th of February 30 selected trainers  participating in "Prevention of Separation of Children through the implementation of Gate-keeping Mechanism" project in Kyiv region completed last modules on child development  and child separation of Case Worker Core Training Programme.

According to national statistics in Ukraine annually 10 thousands of children are separated from their families, this number has grown twice since the early 1990s. Child separation and further institutionalization today is a traditional practice, which is still not seen by specialists in child welfare as a temporary measure.

Participants of the training

The workshop  "Separation, Placement, and Reunification in Family-Centred Child Protective Services" is the last training in series of workshops held in terms of two years competency-based curriculum for trainers and child welfare caseworkers  envisaged in the project. The event brought together 30 trainers, including specialists in social work, researchers from 5 regions of Ukraine selected on a competitive basis.

Participants led by Ruby Johnson, experienced trainer of Institute for Human Services, USA, examined knowledge and skills required for child welfare workers to provide services related to prevention of child separation. 

The workshop focused on the traumatic effects of separation on children and their families; placement prevention; the proper way to place children to prevent trauma, involving children in the placement process, choosing the "right" placement, working with foster caregivers as part of the service team, strategies to promote timely reunification, and the importance of permanence for all children.

Also strategies to promote the healthy development of children who have been abused and neglected were presented.

Nataliya Maretska, lecturer on Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Kherson state University, participant of the training:

"I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the project. A presented family-based approach to services gives an opportunity to gather in order to solve a problem more specialists, representatives from the local community to make services more available and effective. I agree with our trainer that without proper co-operation, and sharing of responsibilities, somebody will not do something expected or will do something unexpected.

I convinced my colleagues from the Chair of Social Work and Social Pedagogy of Kherson State University further to conduct seminars and conferences on this issue at our University".

Two years competency-based curriculum for trainers and child welfare caseworkers consists of three stages:

•    theoretical, based on 8 modules developed by Institute for Human Services, USA;
•    mentoring - supervision of group of trainers-beginners by an experienced trainer;
•    practical - conduction of trainings for six groups of participants from the pilot sites of Kyiv region (social workers, village social workers, specialists from centers of social services for families, children and youth and children's services).

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