BEING part of a family is a personal and basic requirement in everyone’s life, regardless of age. Babies and young people depend on family members for care, love, guidance and protection, and older family members rely on family members for love, care and consideration. Families are very important; they are the cornerstone of every society.

Belonging to a close-knit family can help determine a person’s professional outlook on life, and their behaviour towards others and society on the whole.

Families benefit from their members in many positive ways, such as for moral support, mental stability, financial security and healthcare. Families may comprise of any given number of people (including uncles, aunts and grandparents, cousins and step and half-siblings) inhabiting a home and sharing facilities. The parents of the children in the home may or may not be married, and in some cases they may even be the same gender. The children in the family could belong to one of both parents or may be adopted.

But whatever the composition of the unit, a strong and stable family is worth its weight in gold to society, regardless of social background. Young people who come from these families tend to have a more organised life, and enjoy a better sense of well-being. Their growth and development are consistent, and they usually make responsible decisions.
The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) recognises the importance of helping families when they require support, and especially in cases where children are suffering or could be ‘at risk’. Their aim is to keep families together, therefore whenever a family needs assistance, the CPA will focus on building the family’s capacity for sustainability, rather than removing the children and placing them in care (Unless the situation requires that the children are removed for their safety).

The Family Support Unit at the CPA aims to help families enhance their skills to resolve problems. They promote optimal child development to maintain the Family Unit. One skills-based project is the Better Parenting Programme, which was initiated in 2016. Since then, over 1000 parents have attended, and been trained in the areas of child development, communication, and non-violent methods of discipline.

The attendees are referred to the Agency due to parenting or child abuse issues, or they may have an on-going case where it was noted that certain parenting skills need to be improved. When parents acquire a better understanding of their parental roles, they can seek alternative methods of communicating with and disciplining their children.
Many parents have never examined their parenting skills, and tend to use methods that have been handed down from their parents. Some of the unsavoury methods used can traumatise children, which, in turn, can affect their adult lives.

The CPA does not only target the parents; they also make provision for children. In addition to the Better Parenting Programme, a ‘Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Empowerment Programme’ for young people has been operational through the CPA for several years. The programme aims to reduce the incidents and risks associated with early sexual behaviour, by empowering young men and women.

This is done by increasing their knowledge about prevention of HIV, STDs and pregnancy, as well as enhancing their decision-making skills, and providing them with casework support for personal development.

Most parents and teenagers who attend the programmes will participate and benefit from the knowledge shared. They will interact, contribute, and no doubt take away some valuable information and knowledge from their experience.

These are just two of the tested and proven ways that the CPA has been assisting families over the years in building their capacity: With better communication and understanding between parents and their children.

Some families, however, do not like the idea of anyone interfering in the way they live, and they do not take kindly to support or advice, especially from the CPA. They make it difficult for CPA Officers to do their job, and as a result, children suffer. Officers are tasked with monitoring and assessing every report that is made to the Agency, and, where necessary, follow-up visits will be maintained to assure that children are safe.

‘Giving families hope by strengthening them to cope in 2020’ is the CPA’s theme for this season, and we are looking forward to initiating even more unique ways to help sustain families in the ensuing years.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION