The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) employs houseparents to oversee the well-being of children and teenagers in residential care facilities.
Houseparents serve as substitute parents, overseeing the physical, social, and emotional growth of their wards.
Join us as we take a look at the qualifications, job requirements, and diverse responsibilities of houseparents, highlighting their important role in supporting vulnerable children.
Who Are Houseparents?
A houseparent is defined as an adult responsible for the supervision and care of children or young people in a group living situation.
According to job descriptions from the DSWD, houseparents act as substitute parents, in charge of the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the children under their care.
They also implement home life services within the residential facilities.
Qualifications for Houseparents
The minimum requirement to become a houseparent with the DSWD is a high school diploma.
However, certain facilities may prefer candidates with additional qualifications.
For example, the preferred qualifications for a DSWD Houseparent I might include:
- Two years of college education;
- National Certificate II (NC II) in Caregiving;
- One year of relevant experience as a houseparent or caregiver, with strong interpersonal and communication skills; familiarity with hygiene and sanitation standards, and skills in non-violent communication.
Application Requirements
When applying for a houseparent position at the DSWD, the following documents are typically required:
- An application letter indicating the position applied for and its publication date;
- A completed Personal Data Sheet with a passport-sized photo and signature, and a Work Experience Sheet;
- Copies of authenticated Civil Service Eligibility or Professional License (if applicable);
- Copies of Transcript of Records (TOR) and/or Diploma;
- Copies of certificates from relevant training and seminars attended;
- Performance rating from the last rating period (for government employees) or its equivalent for external applicants.
Duties and Responsibilities of Houseparents
The duties of houseparents vary depending on the specific facility and job role.
Below are the responsibilities for two specific houseparent roles.
Specific Roles: Houseparent I for RSCC
Responsibilities for Houseparent I at a Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) include:
- Acting as a substitute parent to children, fostering their physical, social, and emotional development;
- Maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation for the children, overseeing housekeeping activities, and managing the upkeep of the center;
- Caring for infants and toddlers, including tasks such as taking temperatures, feeding, and cuddling;
- Observing and recording each child’s developmental progress, and submitting monthly reports to the nurse;
- Accompanying sick children to medical consultations and administering prescribed medications;
- Recording daily activities and relevant observations in a logbook for reference by incoming staff;
- Conducting Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) classes;
- Performing other related tasks as assigned.
Specific Roles: Houseparent II for Home for Girls
Responsibilities for Houseparent II at a Home for Girls include:
- Implementing home life activities to promote safety, care, and behavioral modification of residents, orienting them on house rules and monitoring compliance;
- Providing tutorial sessions and overseeing the children’s activities;
- Conducting group sessions and recreational activities;
- Teaching table manners, work and spiritual activities, personal grooming, and home management skills;
- Preparing and submitting behavioral observation reports;
- Attending staff meetings and case management conferences;
- Acting as a hospital watcher when necessary;
- Following up with clients in schools and escorting them back to their places of origin;
- Performing other related tasks as assigned.
Recent Updates
Enhancing Capacity of House Parents
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Academy organized a week-long training program for house parents to enhance their capacity in providing effective care for children in need of special protection.
The training, which gathered 38 house parents from various residential facilities, aimed to improve their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in dealing with situations that may arise in their daily work.
Through this initiative, house parents are better equipped to provide compassionate care for vulnerable children.
The DSWD Field Office 1 – Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC 1) participated in the Earth Hour initiative, promoting environmental awareness and climate change mitigation.
During the one-hour event, Persons with Disabilities and house parents from AVRC 1 engaged in singing activities, underscoring the importance of individual and collective action in addressing climate change.
By joining the Earth Hour, the AVRC 1 demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Video: ACTION-DSWD Training on House Parenting Leg 1 (NEW cluster)
This recap video showcases the Training on House Parenting Leg 1 for house parents from the North-East-West cluster with trainers from the South Cluster. The project, managed by ACTION and funded by JICA in partnership with DSWD, focuses on enhancing residential care practices for children’s development and independence. The video and audios are used solely for educational purposes.
Conclusion
Being a houseparent is a demanding job that requires physical, mental, and emotional readiness.
Consider taking courses in Caregiving or Social Work to be better prepared for the role.
DSWD houseparents often work in centers for children and youth, such as the Bahay Pag-Asa (House of Hope).
Learn more about these facilities and the programs they offer to understand the critical work done by houseparents in caring for vulnerable groups in our society.
Their dedication guarantees that these individuals receive the necessary support and care to thrive.
Contact Information: DSWD Central Office
For inquiries about Houseparents or interest in applying for the position, you can contact the DSWD Central Office using the details below:
- Address: Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, 1126
- Telephone: (02) 8952-0697 or (02) 8931-8101, local 513
- Website: DSWD Website
If you live outside the National Capital Region (NCR), visit the nearest DSWD Office in your area for more information.