BRIEF PROGRESS REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN HIV AND AIDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN RESIDENTIAL CARE

The goal of the proiect:

The objective of the project was the development of a comprehensive HIV and AIDS management programme aimed at meeting the psycho-social and developmental needs of children and youth in institutions.

The key deliverables were:

1. Literature review aiming at assisting the development of the programme. The process examined the existing practices and programmes in relation to HIV and AIDS management focusing on children and youth at risk. It also reviewed existing policies, legislation and research that inform the field of HI V and AIDS.

2. Programme and guidelines developed in consultation with major stakeholders. Through a series of interview schedules and focused groups with policy makers, operational role players, child care workers and youth between the ages of 14-16 information was collated and insight gained. All provinces were represented as well as different types of child and youth care centres attended these information-gathering sessions.

3. Train- the- trainer manual was also developed and the facilitator's guide was

Recommendations:

· The final report recommended that actions proposed in the Management Programme are integrated in the Minimum Standards South Africa Child and Youth Care System.

· A selfmonitoring check list is included that can be applied to asses progress.

· Training in the implementation of the HIV and AIDS Management Programme on Child and Youth Care levels should be presented to staff that deals with human resources, child and youth care workers, social workers and professional nurses.

· It is recommended that additional medical training is presented to professional nurses working in child and youth care centres.

· It is highly recommended that the training providers should b appropriately qualified and have practical experience of pediatric HIV and AIDS treatment and care.

Action plan to take the process forward:

1) Finalisation of the terms of reference to appoint the service provider in rolling out the training of the project in consultation with the Children's unit is near completion.

2) Targeted participants to do the training are the service provider(s), assisted by provincial HIV and AIDS directorates especially the Provincial; and District coordinators.

3) The three provinces that are ready to start with the training were identified at the Interprovincial Chief Directorate's workshop of the 12-14 September 2006.

4) The panelist to decide on the service provider(s) will include members of the reference team.