January 2007

Editorial : On 2007...

by Merle Allsopp

A child and youth care story heard last year will be my source of inspiration, hope and a 'guiding light' in 2007. In our world, so rich with powerful stories, every now and then a story touches us and transforms us just a little. This story was very simple - so simple that it almost isn't a story. It was told by colleague Martha Motaung about her speaking at the public hearings on the Children's Bill in Gauteng. Like many other child and youth care workers, Martha took the opportunity offered to address the provincial legislature on matters of concern to the child and youth care field relating to the Bill. To the credit of an unknown party, there were children present at the hearings - some of whom in front of the seats were in wheelchairs. In her presentation, Martha raised the NACCW concern (shared by many other groups) on the need to ensure that children with disabilities are adequately catered for in child and youth care centers. The concern was that children, all children, including those with disabilities should be provided with access to residential child and youth care programs - not declined admission on the basis of facilities not being able to accommodate disabled children. Martha told of how, as she addressed the parliamentarians on this issue in the intimidating hall of the provincial legislature, she became aware of a subtle movement in the front. The children in their wheelchairs were focused on her with rapt attention…and slowly, unconsciously they began to roll their wheelchairs forward towards her…

So small a story but so big a story.

2007 is likely to prove to be an auspicious year for us. The Children's Bill will be heard in the remaining five provinces (Northern Cape, Western Cape, North West Province, Mpumalanga, and Free State) and hopefully the field will be as well represented by child and youth care workers at these hearings as it has been in the hearings already held. Hopefully colleagues in these provinces will build on what has been achieved, for already it seems our Members of Parliament know what child and youth care is! And already it has been noted by Adv Ann Skelton that child and youth care has emerged as a strong and organized social service profession, well able to contribute to the implementation of the Children's Bill.

2007 is also likely to hold the submission of regulations to the Minister of Social Development outlining the registration mechanisms for the statutory regulation of child and youth care workers. Huge steps forward for the profession. Big stuff happening in the field this is!

And 2007 is conference year…and will also be a year in which members of the Association will be asked to confront the need for change and engage in serious debate about the manner in which our organization is constituted. 

But as we move into this year with its demands on our time, our hearts and our minds, perhaps we can be guided by those whom we serve. We will all at times be swept into a maelstrom of politicking, lobbying and brokering deals. But as the year progresses and as we each work in our particular corner of the field, we can be guided by asking ourselves if our words and our actions would have children rolling their wheelchairs towards us...