SETTING STANDARDS FOR PRACTICE

1. SETTING STANDARDS FOR PRACTICE BY FAIR LIFE AFRICA FOUNDATION

2. THE VISION Not to be driven by trends, but to establish, and be guided by best practices.

3. THE FOCUS Values, skills and knowledge promotion through training and selective recruitment

4. THE PURPOSE • There is no such thing as a value-free practice • It is essentially important that we are guided by right values in our interventions • The absence of skill in a practitioner will make them ineffective in their profession • There is need to have the right mix of skills and the right allocation of skilled staff to maximize team efforts. • Updated knowledge will mean that our values and skills will develop to meet the changing needs of our service users and society.

5. THE RELEVANCE • There is need for a standard for anything we take seriously, and to minimize risks • Street children are vulnerable and fragile • They are also impressionable, but resilient • Our approach to them can determine their responses to us • Their condition of being on the street requires that interventions are sensitive to the preceding and enduring factors • Children can discern those simply doing their jobs, and those who really care

6. THE FIRST STANDARD • This is being person-centred • Requires consideration of the child’s wishes • Acts with the child • Recognises the potential of the child and taps into it • Promotes the child’s best interests • As opposed to service-driven • Tells the child what they should want • Acts on the child • Focuses on the weaknesses and challenges of the child • Directed by cultural norms and expectations.

7. THE SECOND STANDARD • This is being professional • Requires one to apply due diligence • Employs reflective practice • Is necessarily accountable • Works effectively within a team • As opposed to being sensational • Is led my one’s own perspective • Pleads good intentions • Avoids the light of judgment • Seeks personal glory

8. THE THIRD STANDARD • This is being passionate • Is ready to go the extra mile • Seeks justice and advocates for the child • Eager to learn and implement changes • Sees potential for good and strives on • As opposed to being mediocre • Watches the clock, and does only what is asked • Is of the opinion that things will never change • Hard to teach, and uncompromising • Easily discouraged by obstacles

9. THE 3 Ps IN OUR PRACTICE • Person-Centred: Our weekly presence at Kuramo beach allows us to learn the children’s perspectives – Breakfast and Talk Strategy. • Professional: Employment and training of social workers and counsellors in the rehabilitation process – The Respite Programme (of CCC Initiative). • Passionate: Seeking out others of like-mind, interest and experience to learn from and inspire one another – Collaborate For Change Agenda (Fun Feed, SCAS, and membership of Child Protection Network ).

10. OUR RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY • Employment of people of character and vision • Regular training to high standards of care and duty • Regular supervision of staff and maintenance of accountability structures • Regular screening and police and health checks for employees • Regular health checks for service users • Maintenance of physical structures and appliances • General openness, undiscriminating respect and diligent service

11. To conclude... “Wisdom is the principle thing...and in all your getting, get understanding!” PROVERBS 4:7 • Wisdom is the right application of knowledge, based on an understanding. • Where there is no application, there is no wisdom, only impotent knowledge • With all one learns about the street child and their needs, the necessity remains to commit to the application of high standards in duty and care.

12. THE END ANY QUESTIONS?