REACT Singapore: Caring For The Caretaker

Caring for the Care-Givers--

Training for Institutional Child Care Staff

Prepared by: R. Oudemans

Visit our web-site at www.react-react.org

Caring for the Care-Givers

Outline The Context & The Need The Challenge Our Proposed Solution Project Status Next Steps How you can help

Among a Child’s Greatest Needs:Loving Care and Security

After food, clothing, and shelter,

the single greatest needin a child’s life is

competent, loving care and security

Caring for the Care-GiversThe Context & the Need

Among a Child’s Greatest Needs:Loving care and Security

Loving care and security should be Provided by Trustworthy &

Committed Adults

Loving Care and SecurityThe Vital Role of Care-Givers

When events in their lives remove them from the context of their families, and place them in orphanages, these needs must be met by hired staff.

Of the many factors which can contribute to success, by far the most important are the caregivers;those who are responsible for the overall and day-to-day care of the children.

Caring for the Care-Givers: The Challenge

Successful, well-run orphanages are extremely complex and very challenging to manage, staff and administer.

Caregivers need Training & Mentoring To be effective in their

demanding jobs the caregivers need: Training Coaching Mentoring

Everybody Wins:Staff and Children Alike

Given strong and effective training: the morale and

effectiveness of staff increases

the quality and effectiveness of programs improves

and the children benefit

The Challenge

Several key challenges make it difficult for orphanages to have the abundant and capable staff they need. These include:

Scarcity Priority Intangibility Funding

Key Challenge: Scarcity of Human Resources

It is difficult to find, attract, and recruit suitable and motivated human resources.

Key ChallengeTraining not pursued as a priority

Insufficient attention and resources are focused on assessing, training, challenging and managing the staff.

Lack of Priority

Key Challenge:Intangible Nature and the Donor Community

Often, the donor community tends to support projects which are easier to photograph and measure. School books, clothing, rice or a new dormitory are examples. They too are important and because they are tangible, they receive funding more easily.

Help with homework leads to greater success in school.

Key Challenge:Intangible Nature of Results To some extent the results we

will achieve are intangible They are experienced within

the staff and the children themselves

Results include: Self-confidence Good health and hygiene Integrity Preparedness to face the

world.

Intangible Nature of Results

Key Challenge:Funding Goals

Good, reliable care costs money:to identify, attract, recruit, train, pay, retain, motivate, lodge and mentor good staff

The status of reliable care must be raised to a ‘priority’ in order to receive adequate funding.

Clear and measureable goals must be established to attract and retain donor participation.

Our Proposed SolutionFour Key Elements

Caring for the Care-Givers

Our Proposed SolutionFirst Key Element – Raise Awareness

Raise awareness of the importance and challenge of providing effective training

Our Proposed SolutionSecond Key Element - Develop Training Programs

Develop Training

Programs Topics Syllabus Lecture Group Work Role play

Materials Teacher’s Guide Participant’s Manual Visual Presentations and Aids Game and Activity Supplies

Our Proposed SolutionThird Key Element – Deliver/Provide Training

Deliver structured and ongoing training to staff and communities of orphanages

Our Proposed SolutionFourth Key Element – Fund Hiring/Training

Audit and recommend the hiring and training of additional staff at orphanages where necessary

Caring for the Care-Givers---

Training for Child Care Staff

Project Status

Project Status:Already Completed

Needs Identification and Assessment

Project Qualification & Validation Input from schools, orphanages, teachers, others

Pilot Program 2008

BKM Orphanage, Siantar – Sumatra, Indonesia Basic Kit of Materials Developed / Deployed

Phase One

Project Status:Next Steps

Scaling Up Program Development Research, Write, Edit Develop / Refine Content

Second Small-Scale Pilot Program 2009

Widhya Asih Orphanages, Bali, Indonesia Scaled materials and project to larger group

Phase Two

Project Status:Next Steps

Broaden Reach & Share Practices with other Organizations Identify funding Program Development Identify subject matter experts Research, Write, Edit Develop / Refine Content Prepare / Print student booklets, workbooks,

homework

Large Group Training Program Target Audience – Selected Orphanages from various

islands of Indonesia Timing: October 2010

Phase Three

Caring for the Care GiverTogether we can !

If you would like to learn more, participate in writing/editing of the training guide, or help us finance the project, please contact us.

How to contact us

REACT Singapore:

93 Kellock Road 17-02 Melrose Park Singapore 248904

Portable: +(65) 98.27.93.20

E-mail: reactsingapore@gmail.com

Web-site: www.react-react.org