PERCEPTIONS OF LOOKED-AFTER YOUTHS ON THE WEAKNESSES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT INTERVENTIONS IN CHARITABLE CHILDREN’S INSTITUTIONS IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY,KENYA
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Abstract
This study was undertaken to provide insight into the perceptions of looked-after youths on the weaknesses of psychosocial support interventions provided to them in charitable children’s institutions. The sample in this mixed approach research consisted of all youths (n=260) in charitable children’s institutions which provides both institutional and community type care (practice reintegration) in Uasin Gishuu County, Kenya. Data was collected using a Looked-After Youth Questionnaire, an interview schedule and focus group discussions.
Examination of percentage scores of identified weaknesses of psychosocial support interventions in care homes revealed that poor management of traumatic experience by homes rank highest. It is followed by paucity of basic needs which make interventions hard, then insufficient participation by youth in decision making on issues affecting them and inadequate life skill training of caregivers.
Based on the above findings, it is recommended that care-givers be facilitated to acquire capacities to enable them to significantly scale up targeted psychosocial interventions. Specifically, they should be trained on complexity of trauma so as to gain thorough understanding of child system of care and how the same impacts the brain development
