Community Keepers (Cape-based) has part-time job
opportunities for qualified and experienced
Psychologists and Social Workers.
Volunteering opportunities are also available
Community Keepers is a Cape-based non profit that delivers psycho-social services to primary and high school learners in Cape Town and the Cape Winelands. We establish ourselves in child-friendly consulting rooms, on-site at schools to remove barriers to access. The load for state social workers and psychologists is simply too great and waiting lists are unbearably long. We operate in marginalised areas where there is a desperate need. Thanks to our loyal funders, we offer this service at no charge.
Our primary function is therapeutic intervention in the format of 45 minute sessions over 6 sessions or more, depending on the need. Our approach is holistic and we aim to include educators and parents in the process. We, at the same time, also work with the school management team to build a culture of well-being and host workshops for learners, educators and parents on a range of topics such as bullying, gender based violence, suicide ideation, self esteem, positive discipline, subject /career choices, anxiety reduction and destigmatisation.
We are meticulous about record keeping which is a professional requirement as well as good governance. Confidentiality is very important but, from time to time, we are able to share stories and feedback such as: “Thank you so much for being the one person I can talk to. Thanks for never leaving my side through the tough and ugly times. Thank you for being my rock. Thank you for being understanding. Thank you for being patient, kind, and friendly. Thank you for accepting me for who I was, and looking on the inside, not the outside. Most of all, thank you for loving me when it seemed like nobody cared. Thank you, Community Keepers. You know, after failing so many times in life, I have come to realize that I wouldn’t be successful if I gave up. Never give up, keep your head up, whatever challenges you face”
We know that vulnerable children often struggle to articulate their needs and their fears, and so our rooms in primary schools are colourful and inviting, they include sand trays with figurines and swings, where children feel more comfortable to tell their story through play. At high schools we have comfortable seating, gym balls and a boxing bag. Our offices are staffed with a psychologist, social worker or registered counsellor, supported by a part time rotating psychologist/social worker who steps in to share the load for one or multiple schools.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, we transitioned to tele-counselling and remain agile and flexible to adapt to the needs of our partner schools. Covid-19 and the lockdown have caused a lot of anxiety for learners, educators and parents – not only the physical threat of the illness but the emotional and psychological toll as well. For many of our children, home is not a safe space and these children need us more than ever.
We anticipate an increase in need and for this reason, we invite registered educational, clinical and counselling psychologists or social workers to register on our database, to be alerted to part time work opportunities. These part-time morning positions include 6 – 24 hours a week, depending on capacity. We deliver a variety of services to learners including assessments, counselling, therapy, life skills programmes and parenting workshops.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing individual and/or group therapy; obtaining collateral; giving feedback and recording of data and maintaining relationships with learners, educators and parents
Requirements:
- Tertiary qualification and registered with the relevant professional body
- Fluent in English and preferably either Afrikaans or Xhosa
- Experience in counselling children as well as working in a school context and sound ethical principles of practice.
- Passion for teamwork and community-based interventions.
We primarily need qualified professionals due to the nature of our business, but we welcome any volunteers who would like to fundraise. We also welcome a “handy-man” who volunteers to visit our sites to tackle the odd jobs that we never have time to get to. Police clearance certificates are essential since we work with minors.
In order to receive alerts about upcoming job opportunities,
please click here to register on this link.
For more information about Community Keepers,
please visit us at www.communitykeepers.org
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