Children and young people in difficult circumstances — those who have experienced abuse, neglect, family breakdown, homelessness, or involvement with the justice system — need skilled, dedicated professionals to provide them with care, support, and the opportunity to develop into resilient, capable adults. Child and Youth Care Workers are those professionals, and the qualification at NQF Level 5 equips learners with the comprehensive competencies needed to fulfil this demanding and deeply meaningful role.
The curriculum covers the core practice areas of child and youth care work: providing developmentally appropriate care and support in residential, community, and programme-based settings; implementing therapeutic programmes for children and youth with complex needs; building professional relationships that are structured, purposeful, and maintained within clear ethical boundaries; working within the legislative framework of the Children's Act and related legislation; contributing to the assessment and care planning process; maintaining records and case documentation; and working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary care teams.
