Assessment of Childcare Workers’ Strength in Providing Care and Support to Vulnerable Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Case of Kurasini National Children

Panga, Simon B (2020) Assessment of Childcare Workers’ Strength in Providing Care and Support to Vulnerable Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Case of Kurasini National Children. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

This study was conducted at Kurasini National Children home. The main objective of the study was to assess childcare workers’ strength in providing child care and support to Vulnerable children in Tanzania. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine competences necessary for childcare workers; to assess the quality of child care services provided to children and to identify challenges experienced by childcare workers. The study was guided by the empowerment and attachment theories. Qualitative research design was used and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, observation and documentary review were used for collection of data which was thematically analyzed. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain respondents. A sample of 30 children and 20 officials from childcare workers, social welfare officers and human right staff were selected, making a total sample of 50 participants. Study findings were analyzed and presented using a computer package known as SPSS version 20. The study revealed care workers’ strength is weakened by their educational and training background, inadequate job orientations, inadequate supervisory leadership, organizational and management skills, lack of contractual framework between council welfare officers and childcare workers and inadequate resources. In view of the study findings it was concluded that the government and stakeholders were not adequately allocating resources for childcare workers’ capacity strengthening and facilitation of child care interventions. The study therefore, recommends for the government, training institutions and stakeholders to adequately strengthen the capacity of childcare workers and to timely provide sufficient resources to facilitate the provision of quality child care services to the vulnerable children.

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