News Releases

UWI-led Training Equips 73 Workers to Support and Safeguard Children in Residential Care Facilities

For Release Upon Receipt - October 20, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 Graduates of the Residential Care workers programme celebrate after receiving certification at the Residential Care workers graduation ceremony.

 

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. October 20, 2023- In recent months, the issue of child protection and safeguarding has taken center stage in public discourse within Trinidad and Tobago. An independent cabinet-appointed team's report revealed troubling findings, including inadequate infrastructure and a systemic failure to monitor and protect children in residential care facilities across the country. On Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, a Graduation Ceremony of Residential Care Workers was held at the School of Education Auditorium, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus. The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the participants, showcasing their enhanced knowledge, acquired skills, and heightened awareness in their roles as guardians of child safeguarding and protection.

 Responding to calls for a unified strategy, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Department of Behavioural Sciences of the Faculty of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and the Office of the Prime Minister, launched a comprehensive training program for residential care workers on May 8, 2023. This three-month initiative aimed to equip 73 individuals with the expertise needed to support and safeguard the rights of children in our society.

 Deputy Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Professor Indar Ramnarine reminded the graduates that they have an immense responsibility to disrupt the status quo and redefine norms, “Every action you take, every decision you make, should be through the lens of safeguarding the dignity, rights, and futures of the children in your care. Individual and collective accountability should be the hallmark of your operations, ensuring that the shadows of the past do not cloud the brilliance of the future”.

 This collaborative effort underscores a collective commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of children in residential care facilities. The UWI, in partnership with the Children’s Authority and the Office of the Prime Minister, remains dedicated to advancing child protection measures and supporting those on the front lines of this critical mission. This will continue with another batch of trainees who work with the Children’s Authority in the coming months. 

 

END

 

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, The UWI St. Augustine Campus Dr Acolla Lewis Cameron presents a token to Mr Lawrence Arjoon, CEO Heroes Foundation at the Residential Care workers Graduation.

 

[L-R] Mr. Vijay Gangapersad, Acting Permanent Secretary (Ag., Office of the Prime Minister), Dr Talia Esnard Senior Lecturer in the Department of Behavioral Sciences, Mr Sheldon Cyrus Director/ CEO of the Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Acolla Lewis Cameron, Deputy Principal of The UWI St Augustine Professor Indar Ramnarine, The Honourable Ayanna Webster-Roy Minister of State in the office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Child Development and Gender Affairs, Dr Carol Logie Chairman of the Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Ian Ramdahin, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister and Mr. Maurice Suite Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister at the Residential Care workers Graduation.

 About The University of the West Indies 

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University. 

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

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