About us
NACCW has been working to improve the quality of services and care for vulnerable and at-risk children and youth since 1975. We are committed to promoting the field of child and youth care and developing the skills and abilities of child and youth care workers. Our organization aims to equip child and youth care workers to provide quality services and advocate on behalf of children within a committed Child Rights Framework.
We are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children and youth by providing professional development and support to child care workers. Our team is passionate about making a difference and ensuring the best possible care for vulnerable children and youth in need.
Our Mission
To provide the professional training and infrastructure to promote healthy child and youth development and improve standards of protection, care and treatment for orphaned, vulnerable, and at-risk children and youth in family, community, educational and residential group care settings.
Our Vision
To secure healthy child and youth development and improved standards of care for vulnerable children.
Strategic goals and areas of operation
Healthy Child and Youth Development and improved standards of care.
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Developing and replicating models
NACCW implements models and programmes for children, youth, and their families.
Consultancy and mentoring
NACCW provides consultancy and mentoring support to CYCWs, government departments and other organisations.
Skills development
NACCW’s training department offers the Level 5 Occupational Certificate in Child and Youth Care Work and other training in child and youth care.
Professionalizing the field
NACCW advocates for the professionalization of the child and youth care sector in South Africa.
Membership
NACCW has individual and NGO members, and corporate and private members involved in the provision of care for children.
Advocacy
NACCW and its members advocate for the wellbeing of children and youth through its programmes and membership activities.
Youth development and participation
NACCW has a Youth Forum structure to provide opportunities for young care service recipients to act on their own environments and circumstances.
Knowledge development and dissemination
NACCW disseminates information through its journal and biennial conferences and takes part in other forums in the field.
International liaison
NACCW represents the child and youth care sector as the Federation of International Educative Communities (FICE) South Africa and is a member of FICE International.
Meet the Team
The NACCW team is made up of our director and two deputy directors along with a team of senior management, programme managers and staff across NACCW’s programme, training, finance, human resources, monitoring and evaluation, and operation departments. The organization is governed by a national executive committee (NEC) who are elected by its membership. Our team is the driving force that makes the organization’s work possible.
NACCW History
Established in 1975, and in line with its characterisation as a national network of child and youth care workers, NACCW led a successful advocacy campaign to have child and youth care work officially recognized as a social service profession and accorded its own professional board under the SACSSP. NACCW operates as a registered independent membership-based NPO with individual and NPO members which provide care for children and youth and implements programmes through child and youth care workers to support children.
NEC & Governance
As a professional association and membership-based organization, NACCW has nine provincial structures around the country led by the provincial executive committee (PEC), who are elected by the provincial membership. The national executive committee (NEC) is formed by the chairpersons of the provinces. NACCW is governed by the NEC, who are elected by its membership.