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PROGRAMMES DIVISION FOURTH QUARTER PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2004/04/29 INTRODUCTION Ø During the Fourth Quarter under review, the Division continued to pursue activities to respond to the needs of children while enhancing Service Delivery. Ø The Division experience significant challenges particularly on the Field Service with respect to replacement of Children’s Officers who either resigned or were on leave. Ø Certain positions in Institutions were filled after appropriate submission. The Human Resources Management and Administration Division continue to collaborate with the Programmes divisions to respond to the requests on a needs basis. Ø The provision of appropriate office accommodation has not been realized as anticipated. Building identified and assessed should be ready for occupancy shortly. TO IDENTIFY CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE INTAKE/INVESTIGATIONS Ø Children’s Officers continue to use the new Intake Forms to record cases referred to the Agency. Regional Teams continue to monitor the use of the forms and no difficulties have been identified. Ø The target was to respond to all cases referred to the Agency. During the period under review, 3227 new referrals were received. All cases had appropriate intervention and follow up action.
OVERSEAS INVESTIGATION During the quarter, thirty five (35) new requests were received from oversees Agencies for investigation. The target was to complete 75% of these investigations. O f the number received twenty three (23) cases were concluded which is 60%.
COURT Children’s Officers provided services to the Juvenile/Family Courts in disposing of cases. The Child development Agency was represented at all sittings of the Courts and the children from the various Child Care Institutions were presented for decisions to be taken. There was delay in the completion of some reports. The following were reasons advanced for the delays
CHILDREN IN CARE FACILITATED ADMISSION FORMS The decision taken to institute a standardized admission forms for Child Care Institutions has not been realized. The draft form has been circulated for comments so that adjustments can be made. This will be pursued for implementation in the present quarter. PROPOSED DONATION – PLACE OF SAFETY The proposal to establish a Place of Safety in the North East Region has not progressed as anticipated. Delays have been experienced in having site visit with Technical Officers from Health Facilities Maintenance Unit to further explore the proposal. Director, Human Resources and Administration is now pursuing other options. CHILDREN IN CARE REHABILITATED FOSTER CARE The strategy for the quarter was to improve the recruitment and retention of foster parents for the programme. The target was to effect sixty (60) new placements for the quarter. The target was not realized as only forty nine (49) were made. This quota of placement was affected by Staff shortage, unsuitability of some persons who offer themselves and specific requests made by some persons (age and gender).
REINTEGRATION (H.O.T.) Recognizing that family based placement is the preferred option, emphasis was placed on the reintegration of children with family members. This was in keeping with the Agency’s overall strategy of supporting family reintegration. The target for the quarter was to reunite eighty (80) children with their families. During the period only 50% of the target was achieved with forty (40) new placements made.
INSTITUTIONAL CARE There were no set targets for placement in Children’s Home but the overall objective was to utilize this treatment modality as minimally as possible. However, institutional placement continues to be used extensively. During the quarter ninety one (91) children were placed in Children’s Homes.
MONITORING
OTHER ACTIVITIES PROTOCOL FOR ADOPTION Protocol completed and distributed to Regional Directors to guide Children’s Officers in handling of cases for adoption. ADVERTISEMENTS Targets set to publish at least 12 advertisements to locate parents of children. Ten (10) advertisements undertaken with no response to six and Social Workers awaiting the expiration of mandatory period. CARE PLAN Target to complete some was not realized. The document is now being finalized to become operational on 2004.06.01 commencing with all new cases.
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