Criteria For Holiday Friends

Holiday friends should provide the following:

• Healthy norms and values
• Stable and nurturing family environment – if a couple is not married there should be a relationship of a permanent value (sharing of same household and other responsibilities)
• Not a need or desire for a child of their own
• Not a need or desire for a playmate for their children
• A need and urge to render a service to a child
• Ability to give the child acceptance and approval
• Willingness and ability to cope with a child that is probably traumatized
• Do not have habits that is detrimental to the child's development, like the misuse of substances,
• Do not have a criminal record or was not involved in an incident where sexual abuse of children was alleged
• Mature, stable, freedom from emotional problems.
• Should give fair and consistent attention and discipline
• Able to stimulate children to develop wholesome attitudes and desirable social habits.
• Able to work as a team member with the social worker, house parent and own family of child
• Self-discipline and self-motivation with healthy self-confidence.

1. No discrimination on grounds of a person's religious beliefs, sexual orientation and marital status will be imposed.
2. It is however important for the home that children be placed as far as possible with people with healthy, Christian norms.
3. A trustworthy reference of the applicants will have to describe their values and whether his/her family life is of a healthy and stable environment.

1. Applicants should fill out a form with personal details
2. Applicants should provide a written reference on the prescribed format of the home as well as a telephone number where this referent can be contacted.
3. The applicants should fill out the Milon test that will be screened by the psychologist.
4. If there are problems according to the test, the applicants will be seen by the psychologist for further investigation. The psychologist will then make a recommendation to the social worker.
5. The social worker will contact the family's minister (if applicable) for a telephonic reference
6. The social worker will see both applicants for an interview
7. The social worker will make a recommendation to the childcare meeting of the specific campus for finalization and placement

1. The preference of the holiday friends regarding age and sex
2. The willingness and ability of holiday friends to cope with specific behaviour or other problems
3. The position of the holiday friends' own children
4. The religious upbringing of the child and whether the child will benefit from the religious beliefs of the holiday friends
5. The needs of the specific child (whether the child needs a family or an adult mentor)

The rights of the individual can be limited here in order to assure the best interest of the child.