MVC/PSW Program: Successes, Lessons Learned and Program Recommendations

The program focused on developing a cadre of Para-social workers (PSWs) who would provide psycho-social support and service referrals to vulnerable children and their caregivers. The program has achieved several successes, including linking MVC to educational resources, health resources, and community funds to support their needs. PSWs have also been successful in co-creating work plans with ward officials to provide social welfare services, participating in Ward Development Committee meetings, and working with MVC committees. Additionally, the program has contributed to the national priority of social welfare services, with the central government increasing its budget for MVC/PSW activities and recruiting more Social Welfare Officers. However, the program has also faced several challenges, including the need for LGA systems strengthening to go hand in hand with service activities. Working together with LGAs on PSW programming is crucial for the continuation and support of PSW activities at the village level. The program has also learned the importance of advocacy, which needs to be a dedicated program component with dedicated human and financial resources. PSWs need support from professional Social Workers, including supervision, coaching, and feedback, to provide quality counseling and manage sensitive cases. The program has also identified the need for ongoing community sensitization, as the community has high expectations of PSWs in terms of financial and material support. Active MVC Committees can advocate for MVC and PSWs, and family-focused economic strengthening initiatives should be given a priority where feasible. Based on the lessons learned and successes achieved, the program has made several recommendations to enhance identified best practices and address key challenges. These recommendations include enhancing advocacy at all levels, supporting the implementation of the National Child Protection Act, and linking MVC with other government and community initiatives, including economic strengthening and child protection. The program also recommends revisiting the identification criteria for PSWs to include volunteers with existing experience of working with children or building the skills of other volunteers already in the community. Additionally, the program suggests partnering with local NGOs to link PSWs within existing systems of community services and potential organizational resources. In terms of implementation, the program recommends that several of these recommendations can be incorporated into the 2012/2013 program implementation year, while others entail change in the current program design and need dedicated resources. The development of the national SW Workforce strategy should address recommendations that entail systems strengthening.