(Posted on behalf of Sarah Bayes)
Woo woo Sarah Bayes has managed to post something on the blog - I know I am the last! Saved the best to last! James, Dawn and I had our best and most informative vocational day yet. We met with Christelle from Family Advocacy which covers all of the Northern Cape. They employ social workers to assess children's needs in relation to custody and contact arrangements when their parents are getting divorced. They are also involved in cases where there is domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse. The primary concern is the needs of the child and gaining their perspective - I was extremely pleased to see that this is in line with the Children Scotland Act.
Christelle was very accommodating and took us to an education centre for children who have physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments. The education centre was very encouraging, all staff were very positive and enthusiatic about their work and appeared to be well equipped to meet the children's needs for example they had a printer which printed out everything in braille for them. All the children were friendly and loved having their pictures taken and then looking at them on the camera afterwards!
We visited a residential unit where children stay for a maximum of a year before hopefully being fostered. Again they appeared to be making the best with what they had, Dawn was impressed that a physiotherapist visited once a week to work with a child who had cystic fibrosis.
We then went on to my area of interest - a secure unit! Whilst the living conditions for the boys was very poor they had education and training progrmammes for the boys as we would at home. Like alot of the boys at home they were cheeky and keen to impress their visitors!
The day was rewarding for us all and much thanks goes to Christelle for making it such a good day.
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