The Professionalisation of Child and Youth Care: Perspectives of Child and Youth Care Workers in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Nokwanda Zondeka; Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya; Nomashodo Mirriam Siluma

doi:10.25159/2708-9355/13087

Authors

Nokwanda Zondeka Durban University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4535-4895
Maureen Nokuthula Sibiya Mangosuthu University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1220-1478
Nomashodo Mirriam Siluma Durban University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7024-6653

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/13087

Keywords:

professionalisation, child and youth care, child and youth care worker, registration, education and training

Abstract

The professionalisation of child and youth care (CYC) has long been an important milestone for the profession. This article will further add to the voices of child and youth care workers (CYCWs) about this process. It focuses on and explores the perspectives of CYCWs in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on the process of CYC professionalisation. The researchers conducted an in-depth qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 12 purposely selected CYCWs from different children’s homes in eThekwini. Their perspectives showed that there is still a lack of understanding of the concept and that there are aspects of CYC professionalisation that still have not been achieved while others have. The research findings revealed that the process of CYC professionalisation is important for the growth, status, and continuous stability of the CYC profession. The researchers concluded that the research findings highlighted will offer important insight for the stabilisation of the CYC profession.

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