COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL INTERVENTION PROGRAMME TARGETS CHILD WELFARE AND SAFETY

By Madali Chibambu

• The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Department of Education, recently hosted a School Intervention Programme workshop at Emperors Palace, aimed at improving child welfare and safety.
• The initiative builds on the School Social Work Programme launched in 2018 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two departments.
• With increasing trends in violence, abuse, and substance misuse among young learners, the workshop seeks to strengthen interdepartmental efforts and update the MOU to address these critical issues, with a focus on early interventions and multidimensional poverty.

On Thursday, 17 October 2024, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education, hosted a School Intervention Programme workshop at Emperors Palace in the Eastern Corridor. This initiative builds on the School Social Work Programme launched in 2018 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two departments.

Yvonne Deonarain, Director for Restorative Services & Services to Children, emphasised the workshop’s purpose, inviting key stakeholders, including the Department of Health, Department of Sports, and the University of Johannesburg’s Community of Practice, to join the programme. “We are seeing increasing trends in violence, child abuse, neglect, and substance abuse among young learners. These issues lead to criminal acts, mental health disorders, and risky behaviours,” Deonarain noted.

The goal is to update the existing MOU by consolidating efforts from all stakeholders to strengthen the programme’s impact.

Since its launch in August 2021, the Gauteng School Social Work Programme has aimed to transform social welfare services, ensuring accessible and high-quality support for learners and families. Professor Laila Patel from the University of Johannesburg highlighted the urgency of addressing multidimensional poverty, which affects six out of ten children, especially between the ages of 5 and 7. “We need breakthrough solutions to improve child wellbeing and reduce vulnerability through early interventions,” said Patel.

Ms Desiree de Vries, one of the social workers in attendance, added, “This interdepartmental workshop is crucial in ensuring all departments work together effectively for the benefit of children in our communities.”