INTRODUCTION
The child protection training program is based on a curriculum that was developed at the national level by training Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and Government (Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development). The curriculum is part of the National efforts aimed at addressing the problem of a poorly equipped social service work force, responsible for the protection and wellbeing of children and which adversely affects the effective functioning of the child protection systems. The training is competence based and highly participatory. It ensures that participants demonstrate ability to appropriately utilise the knowledge and skills acquired, to work with care givers and service providers to prevent child rights violations as well as professionally handling the survivors.
LEVELS OF CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING
Child Protection Training is conducted at four levels.
2.1 Practice Oriented Professional Certificate in Child Protection
This course aims at standardizing and harmonizing child protection training. It has been developed and approved by the child protection line ministry, key actors within the child rights field and academia working in the areas of children rights and development. It is an intensive course targeting professionals working in the field of child rights and development.
Goal: To equip child protection practitioners with knowledge and skills to effectively deliver quality child protection services in their various capacities.
Course Duration: The course is conducted for a period of one and half months. The total number of hours and is 90 broken down into 5 modules, each for 1 week conducted for a minimum of 15 hours including 5 days of fieldwork.
Target Group: The course targets professionals working with children in government departments (e.g. judiciary, police, community development, child welfare, health providers); Civil Society and Faith Based Organisations (Managers and project officers) as well as Private Sector (Officials charged with cooperate social responsibility and mainstreaming child protection issues in their work).
Qualification: Applicants are graduates with a degree or diploma in a relevant field and are involved in children’s work as direct service providers, planners and / or researchers.
Methods of Delivery: The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, individual and group coursework, role-plays, use of documentaries and case studies.
2.2 Child Protection Training for Executives
The course is provided to executives to facilitate them mainstream and integrate Child Protection into Programming.
2.3 Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Social Sciences
The course at undergraduate level familiarizes students with Child Protection issues ensuring that they obtain formal training in Child Protection, which is largely missing from the education system. This course therefore equips participants with relevant knowledge and skills in Child Protection, resulting in increased competency in handling Child Protection issues.
2.4 Master of Arts in Social Sector Planning and Management
The course for Master of Arts in Social Sector Planning and Management introduces students to relevant theories and practical approaches of Child Protection. The course is designed to be relevant to participants who intend to work with child focused agencies as well as those who are practitioners in the field. The course seeks to fill a gap in social protection training, by ensuring that prospective practitioners and those already in practice acquire relevant knowledge and specialized child protection skills so as to effectively manage Child Protection issues.
