DSD services that ensure protection of vulnerable children

Despite the difficult fiscal and economic situation the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) finds itself in – as all other departments within the Western Cape Government (WCG) – we continue prioritising the provision of statutory Child Protection Services.

During the month of May, children’s rights are in the spotlight as we commemorate Child Protection Month.

For the DSD, the protection of vulnerable children is a primary focus every day of the year. Vulnerable children are those who have been abused, neglected, exploited, or at risk of violence or substance abuse.

“The safety of children is a whole of society and whole of government responsibility, especially where parents or guardians may fail in their duties. Within the WCG, various departments have programmes in place aimed at the well-being and safety of children. DSD also has a range of community-based prevention and early intervention services, child abuse prevention programmes, therapeutic counselling, and developmental services to support both the child and parent or guardian,” says Provincial Minister of Social Development Sharna Fernandez.

These services include:

• Family preservation services that consist of family counselling, parenting and fatherhood programmes, couple and marriage counselling and family therapy. The prevention programmes can help parents identify and address other needs they may have, such as managing anger and learning problem-solving techniques, ways to manage money and reduce stress, etc.
• Prevention and early intervention services: We offer child abuse prevention programmes, therapeutic counselling and developmental services.
• HIV care services, and Drop-in Centres where social workers and Child & Youth Care Workers provide basic services to vulnerable children to enhance their emotional, physical, and social development.
• Risiha programme: a community-based child protection programme aimed at protecting orphans and vulnerable children some of whom are living in child and youth-headed households, with chronic health conditions as well as those living and working on the streets.
• The Department provides secure care centres for children with behavioural challenges and children in conflict with the law, including children drawn into gang activity. Each year more than 2 000 children are taken into these centres.

The Department has also been able to arrange safety and foster placements for over 40 000 vulnerable children in the system.

As the DSD sees an increase in the need for child protection services, collaborations with communities, other departments, the private sector, and even other countries are more crucial than ever before to ensure as many vulnerable children are supported as possible.

Recently the Department entered into a historic Comprehensive Case Management for Children Government-to-Government Agreement with the United States of America. This Agreement is designed to elevate the provision of services for vulnerable children in this province, particularly those living with HIV, those with disabilities, and survivors of sexual violence.

If you are a child or a parent who needs our help, or you’d like information on becoming a foster or safety parent, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/children-and-families-programme