Counselling

Childcare workers

Childcare workers are the backbone of any organisation working with children and youth.  There are 12 CCW’s assigned to the Shelter and 4 CCW’s assigned to each house in the Village.  The CCW’s work 2 x 48-hour shifts.

They need to have a good understanding of themselves and model positive behaviour towards children and others that they interact with. Their outcome as childcare workers is to give the children as normal a lifestyle as possible through love, care, attention, guidance, discipline, routine and communication.

Social Workers

There are 4 Full time Social workers and 1 part time Social Worker at Kids Haven.  

The Social Workers must ensure that Kids Haven creates and implements programmes to reach the child and take care of the legal side of admitting, working with and re-uniting children with families. The information provided by social workers for panels, IDP’s and Care Plans ensure well- informed decisions in the best interest of the child.

Life Skills

Life Skills Education is offered to all the children daily and targets specific needs that are demonstrated by the children or are requested from Staff.  Most of the Life Skills Education is presented through group therapy so children are accommodated according to their level of functioning.  Individual needs are assessed during individual therapy sessions in order to provide an accessible and updated list of the needs for the group.  

Themes are introduced monthly, with specific objectives within the theme being discussed on a weekly basis.  Many different media are used such as film, music, drama, discussion and art, and outside speakers may be invited where necessary.

Evaluation is done after each session.  This takes the form of evaluation of the group and also evaluation of a few individuals within the group.

An average of 35 groups attended Life Skills sessions per month.

The Life Skills Team hosts numerous group sessions – every house in the Village has a group session once a week around a topic that suits the children living in that house.  There are also ‘special event’ days such as “Walk with my Father” held on Father’s Day and “Authentic Beauty” held on National Woman’s day.  

Other Therapy.

1. Sexual Offenders Programme (internal programme)
   The purpose of the programme is to treat and manage young sexual offenders, in order to prevent a pattern of deviant sexual behaviour. Children need to be made aware that sexual offending is a crime and there are consequences to be faced that may ruin their entire future. Most of the children are victims of abuse and also need to be empowered. Select groups drawn from the Shelter and Village attend an 8- week programme.  This programme runs continuously at Kids Haven.
   There are 8 modules and further counselling is arranged for some children on completion of the programme.
2. Teddy Bear Clinic, Rape Wise and Kidz Clinic (external programme)
   Specialised counselling for sexually abused children – assists with court preparation and legal requirements
3. Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (external programme)
   Specifically related to learning needs of some children

HIV/Aids at Kids Haven

Kids Haven keeps a register of all children living at the Organisation who are HIV+.  This register includes details of the CD counts and whether the child is taking anti-retroviral medication, and whether the child also has TB.  

All children at Kids Haven participate in group discussions around HIV/aids.