Training in foster care and training in confronting domestic violence in Thanh Hoa Province

From June 26 – 27, 2014, with technical support from Health Right International, SWPDC in partnership with the Centre of Social Work Service Delivery in Thanh Hoa province conducted two training courses: one training on Foster care  (on June 26), and one training in Confronting domestic violence (on June 27) in Thanh Hoa. 168 social workers who are currently working for Women’s Union, Youths Union, Social Affair Service agencies, and Leaders of Commune People’s Committees from 27 Districts in Thanh Hoa provinces took part in the trainings.

Mr. Luke Talikowski – HealthRight International’s consultant, and Dr. Nguyễn Trọng An – Deputy Director of RTCCD were training facilitators. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet and Mr. Vo Xuan Hoa (RTCCD’s staff) played the role as training assistant and translators for the training participants.

Result from the post-test evaluation of the trainings showed that 97.5% of the participants evaluated the content of the training “good”; 95.9% of the participants evaluated the training method “good”; 95.9% of the participants evaluated the training documents “good”; and 96.7% evaluated the training room and organization “good”.

The activities that is the most useful for the participants in Thanh Hoa:

For the question “which activity is the most useful to your work?” Most of the participants stated that the training contents are very helpful and applicable to their work. Especially, the participants pointed out that they will apply the knowledge below to their work for prevention from domestic violence:

–        Addressing emotional needs and how to support for women and children affected by domestic violence

–         Experiences, skills and tips in working with children who are exposed to domestic violence

–        Ideas for helping children affected by domestic violence

–        Safety planning for victims of domestic violence.

And, the participants also confirmed that they will apply the following lessons learned from the foster care training to their work:

–        Establishing a foster care system, support for foster parents

–        Tips for foster parents and foster care children

–        Supporting placement and supporting for foster parents

–        Case management in foster care.

Recommendation and comments of the training participants in Thanh Hoa province:

Most of the training participants in Thanh Hoa found the trainings were very helpful for their work, and want to study further about skills in working for foster care and domestic violence prevention. The participants request RTCCD, HealthRight International and SWPCD to provide some more training courses in social work. The following are 5 main contents that most of the participants want to study further:

1.      Case management

2.     Practical skills in working with children and women affected by domestic violence, especially, skills in working with children with disabilities (mental disorders).

3.      Skills in working with substance abusers (alcoholism, cigarette, drug abuser)

4.      Safety for the children

5.      Guidance on Foster Care in the community and Legal framework for child protection

6.    Skills in communication and policy advocacy for scaling up the Foster Care Model for children with special circumstances.

One of participants wrote: “Children are the most vulnerable members in society as they have limited power and resources to determine their own care, well-being and their future. It would be great if Health Right SWPDC can provide some more training courses in child protection for social workers so they protect children”