Chiva Africa

Since 2004, CHIVA AFRICA has been helping save children with HIV in South Africa. Our teams of UK Health professionals train and mentor local medical staff Working on the Frontlines of the AIDS EPIDEMIC
HIV need not be a death sentence. with our help, the youngest victims of the epidemic Will live longer and healthier lives.

Psychologists

Psychologists and Other Therapy-Based Professionals

There continues to be a need for psychological input, particularly in the areas of teaching and supporting child focussed approaches to care.

If you are interested in volunteering, please see the information below which applies to all of our voluntary therapists:

Qualifications

A professional post graduate psychology qualification: clinical, counselling, health, educational.

The qualification must enable the holder to become a chartered psychologist with the BPS.

Clinical experience

18-24 months experience working directly with children and families - preferably those with a chronic physical health condition.
This helps provide direct clinical experience of multi-agency working, developmental knowledge and adherence and coping strategies and policies such as child protection.
Some experience from a statutory or voluntary setting where there has been some involvement in the care or support of children with HIV infection as well as with their carers and families. This will enable an understanding of racial and cultural diversity and health attitudes in this population, the stigmatism and secrecy which surrounds HIV as well as the family dimension of paediatric HIV infection.

What will I be doing?

The following are the core roles and tasks for psychologists and related professions as a member of the visiting multidisciplinary team (MDT):

Working as part of an MDT to enhance ideas of holistic approaches to health care.
Involvement in MDT teaching sessions and case discussions about the care of children living with HIV infection including providing a psychological perspective on influences which affect the child's physical and emotional growth and health and strategies which enhance quality of life.
Taking a lead in discussions, teaching and consultation around psychological issues both for children growing up with HIV infection and for their carers including adjustment and coping, loss and changes.
Taking a developmental as well as systemic approach to understanding children's needs which is responsive to change as paediatric HIV becomes a chronic long term condition and as children get older.
Helping with strategies to enhance children's understanding and open conversations about health and diagnosis and to support, by partnership working, those involved in children's care to take these ideas forward.
Discussing and teaching the emotional and psychological influences affecting adherence to antiretrovirals in children.
Awareness of the psychological stressors on carers and providers (antiretroviral counsellors, nurses, medical staff etc.) and being available to discuss coping strategies.
Contributing to the development of resources within the wider PHP Group and in partnership with colleagues in KZN.

What can I do to prepare?

It is expected that volunteers who visit South Africa as a member of this psychology/therapist group meet with others who are involved in CHIVA Africa before their first visit and are aware of the teaching materials and previous work which has been developed by the wider psychology group.

What happens when I return?

Following their visit, volunteers are expected to provide some feedback to other volunteers in the group and other members. Volunteers should be available to provide some debriefing and reflective work after and in between visits.

A joint forum where psychologists and other therapists involved in CHIVA Africa can meet to discuss visits and share experiences and teaching plans is being developed. These fora will be held separately from PHP meetings and will be held once every 3 months.

Other therapists

It is recognised that there are some other professions, outside psychology, where individuals may have relevant experience and expertise which would be useful to CHIVA Africa, for example, specialist social workers and family therapists. In order to become a volunteer it is expected that such individuals hold an appropriate qualification recognised by their professional body which enables them to be an independent clinical practitioner.

These health workers would be expected to have the same amount of experience as documented for Psychologists to be able to be a volunteer with CHIVA Africa.

PHP (Paediatric HIV Psychology) Group

There is now a network of child psychologists who have experience of working with the paediatric HIV population in the UK. This is known as the PHP (Paediatric HIV Psychology) group. Resources are being developed by some members of this group for CHIVA Africa. This is another way in which psychologists can contribute even if they are not able to go to South Africa.