Kenya: Foster Care Counsellor

Tushinde Children’s Trust was founded in the UK in March 2010 and was registered as an NGO in Kenya in March 2011.Tushinde works with vulnerable families in the informal settlements of Mathare and Kiambiu with a main focus on providing them with access to education, health care and social support. Tushinde’s Foster Care Counsellor will work alongside the Lead Foster Care Social Worker and the Lead Counsellor in the delivery of Tushinde’s Family Support programme and associated programmes.

Tushinde is a child-focused employer and committed to child protection and the protection of vulnerable adults. All candidates will be screened prior to employment and every candidate, regardless of post applied for, will be expected to understand and adhere to the principles of child protection.

Key Skills: 

• Community mobilisation skills: must be willing to participate in the activities, events and circles for the acquisition of cultural diversity.
• Ability to interpret, apply and blend a wide range of Social Work practices and child protection principles and Tushinde’s methods to help children/youth/families achieve a healthier lifestyle.
• Proven knowledge of Case Management standards, the Children Act 2022 and other relevant international and national care reform legislation.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply a wide range of social work practices, child protection principles and alternative family-based care methods in respect to protection and placements of children at risk and understanding the principles and goals of families in crisis.
• Proven knowledge of theories of human behaviours and family systems and proven ability to apply social work theories in assessments, planning, action, measure and monitor to ensure competence and excellence of services provided.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Kiswahili
• Understanding of child protection systems and urban poverty issues
• Good understanding of MS Office/ G-Suite

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Family and Child Therapy
• Minimum experience of five years working with vulnerable children and families
• Child Protection and Family Work Background: Possess a strong background in child protection and working with vulnerable families.
• Experience in Informal Settlements: Previous experience working with vulnerable families, especially in informal settlements.
• Understanding of Care Reform: Familiarity with care reform principles, including case management and alternative family care for children at risk, is an added advantage.
• Empathy and Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate empathy and cultural sensitivity in working with diverse communities.
• Strong Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and a dynamic work environment. Adaptable in a young and growing organisation.
• Management, coordination and capacity building experience preferred.
• Experience working with DCS and other key government agencies is an added advantage.
• Good communication, presentation, training and report writing skills.
• A passion for ensuring that every child can enjoy their basic rights.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Collaboration with Foster Care Caseworker: Work alongside the foster care caseworker during the rescue of children in need of care and protection.
• Trauma Therapy: Provide trauma therapy for children undergoing separation from their families.
• Family Counselling: Offer counselling services to families whose children have been removed from them, addressing the problems that led to the separation.
• Pre-Fostering and Continuous Counselling: Provide pre-fostering counselling to prospective foster parents.
• Offer continuous counselling to both foster parents and fostered children.
• Report Preparation: Prepare detailed reports for all counselling sessions, adhering to Tushinde's standards.
• Risk Factor Identification: Identify and document risk factors contributing to child-family separation.
• Use findings to guide Tushinde's strategy in providing permanent solutions to vulnerable families and children.

Other Responsibilities: 

The Emergency Foster Care Counselor’s role requires a dedicated caseworker who is ready to work 24 hours to efficiently respond to the emergency cases. In addition to the above roles, the counsellor will also:

• Provide information to the Counselor Manager to allow for the development of strategies for communicating service and program impacts as part of the Agency’s overall communications and advocacy strategy.
• Maintain liaison with Tushinde staff, DCS at the Sub-county offices, relevant personnel of community resources such as chief and police, foster care key partners, Child Protection Volunteers and all others concerned with the provision of the Foster Care Program.

Reporting Line: The Foster Care Counsellor will report to the Lead Foster Care Social Worker and the Lead Counsellor. 

Salary Range: Ksh. 28,000-30,000 per month (gross); comprehensive individual health cover provided as a benefit.

How to Apply: 

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and a tailored covering letter to: jobs@ke.tushinde.org.uk**,** using ‘Foster Care Counsellor ’ as the subject of the mail by 10th January 2024.