Session 21/21
Page 5/6: Topic D: Cooperation with government staff, the community and the familyTopic D: Cooperation with government staff, the community and the family
Teaming up with local government staff
Successful reintegration requires close cooperation with local government staff, and your supervision regarding the child or youth in question. All legal decisions regarding the child’s new formal identity must be planned and executed with them. Legal procedures and their challenges vary from one country another, regarding timelines and demands. The goal is to make waiting times as short as possible, also if the child is placed in a temporary foster family before reunion.
Location Manager Bereket at SOSCV Hawassa, Ethiopia, explains how staff cooperates with local authorities.
Introducing reintegration in the community
Preparing religious and secular community leaders is another important task. Describing the general idea of reintegration and local care strengthening will ensure a positive attitude towards the child and its relatives. It can happen also at local public occasions and by TV or radio.
Location Manager Bereket at SOSCV Hawassa, Ethiopia, explains how we inform community leaders.
Introducing the child in school and education
To ensure re-integration in education, future elementary or higher school teachers can be informed about the child or youth’s standpoint and social skills. Pay extra attention to info about any physical or learning disabilities and special needs.
According to the situation, you can ask a teacher to introduce the new student beforehand, and urge the class to include him or her in their network. This includes addressing any prejudice form peers that can be expected. While openness about the background is preferable, the best way of introduction is to respect the wish of the child or youth.
Facilitating the return to the family of origin
To start the re-integration, visits by relatives to the Village can be planned. During a visit you can arrange practical activities, such as cooking food together. This will allow you to observe the interactions between the child and the family members, and add to your observations from the Child and Youth Attachment Relations Map. Towards whom does the child interact in a trustful manner? Who does it turn to for help, care and protection. And, towards whom does it seem to feel insecure, afraid, or avoidant? Any insecurities can then be openly discussed and resolved.
This process will prepare the child for a period of staying in the family.
Group discussion and work plan
Please discuss and plan:
- How can we teamwork with government staff to solve all legal issues?
- How can we create awareness of re-integration with leaders in the community?
- How can we prepare teachers and peers for welcoming the child?
- How can we observe secure and insecure interactions during family visits?