The Hub’s Case Manager Network Expands After Successful Training

On July 4 and 5, 2024, The Centre conducted an intensive case manager training session in Kolwezi to equip participants with essential child labour case management skills. Case managers are an integral part of The Hub for Child Labour Prevention and Remediation and are the key focal points for children and families in our remediation programme, tasked with making sure their remediation programme stays on track and that they receive ongoing support and guidance. Only candidates who successfully complete The Hub’s rigorous training programme can gain case manager status and handle individual cases.

The goal of this training was to build participants' knowledge and skills to effectively prepare future case managers to tackle the specific challenges of their roles. With more children joining the remediation programme thanks to dormakaba’s long-term investment, as well as the FCA’s continued support, there is a need to train more highly qualified case managers to support this growing number of children in mining communities.

The training attracted a diverse audience, including members of the Hub's founding organisations, representatives from the Congolese government agency, the Division of Social Affairs (DIVAS), and independent professionals. A total of 17 participants actively engaged in both practical and theoretical sessions tailored to meet the high standards required to become a case manager.

At the end of the training, an assessment was administered to assess the skills acquired and suitability of the candidates. Of the participants, 12 met the requirements to gain junior case manager status, which allows them to act as case managers. Out of these 11, have already been appointed cases to manage, and they will continue to progress in their new role through a rigorous programme involving on-the-job support, further training and ongoing assessments before achieving full accreditation.

Individual interviews were held with all of the new case managers to support their integration and familiarise them with the remediation plans for the children in the programme. The Hub’s co-ordinator also joined them for their first family visit, during which they met the children for the first time. All of these introductions were completed as of August 5th, one month after the training.

At present, there are 13 active case managers and 25 junior case managers. Thanks to this training, The Hub is on track to expand this network in tandem with the growing number of children in need of support.