DSD FOCUSES ON STRENGTHENING CHILD PROTECTION THROUGH PARTIAL CARE AND EARLY INTERVENTION AHEAD OF CHILD PROTECTION WEEK

By Precious Mupenzi

• ⁠DSD ramps up preparations for Child Protection Week launching on May 11th with awareness and capacity-building sessions to capacitate DSD officials on the provisions of the Children’s Act, “so we all sing from the same hymn book when talking to communities”.
• Registration is key to compliance and quality assurance, many centres in poorer communities struggle to meet the infrastructure and equipment standards required for registration and funding.
• Children’s Legislation, Monitoring and Reporting Directorate strongly reminds all professionals—including social workers, teachers, and healthcare workers of the legal obligation to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect or risk facing criminal consequences.

As South Africa prepares to commemorate Child Protection Week on 11 May 2025 in Thaba Nchu, Free State, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has ramped up its awareness and capacity-building efforts. In a recent information-sharing session, the department unpacked critical sections of the Children’s Act—Chapter 5 on Partial Care and Chapter 8 on Prevention and Early Intervention Services—as part of its build-up activities.

The session, led by Mahlatse Mogoane from the Children’s Legislation, Monitoring and Reporting Directorate within DSD, aimed to deepen officials’ understanding of the Act’s provisions and ensure a unified approach when engaging with communities. “The purpose of the session is to capacitate DSD officials on the provisions of the Children’s Act, so that we all sing from the same hymn book when talking to communities,” said Mahlatse. “This way, communities become aware of the legislated forms of care and protection available for children.”

Understanding the Legal Framework

Opening the session, Mahlatse provided an overview of the Children’s Act, underscoring the directorate’s core responsibilities: reviewing legislation, building capacity within the sector, and monitoring the implementation of the Children’s Act. Emphasizing the need to keep South Africa’s child protection framework responsive, Mahlatse highlighted that legislative updates must reflect the real challenges and service delivery realities faced by families and children on the ground.

Types of Childcare Facilities Explained

A key highlight of the session was a detailed explanation of the different childcare facilities forming part of South Africa’s protection system.

These are:

Partial Care Facilities: Catering to children aged 0-18, these facilities offer temporary care during the day or overnight subject to arrangement with parents or caregivers. This includes Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, after-school care centres, private hostels, temporary respite care for children with severe disabilities, and care facilities for children with disabilities. Mahlatse stressed that all such facilities must register with DSD to ensure compliance with national norms and standards.

Child and Youth Care Centres: Providing 24/7 residential care for children unable to remain with their families, these centres accommodate children placed through court orders. Programmes include temporary safe care, secure care for children in conflict with the law, children’s homes for the vulnerable or abandoned, and facilities for children living and working in the streets.

Drop-in Centres: Serving as a vital safety net for vulnerable children, drop-in centres deliver basic services such as food, hygiene support, laundry services, and educational assistance. Additional offerings may include psychosocial support, life skills training, recreational activities, and healthcare services in collaboration with local clinics. Mahlatse emphasized that drop-in centres, like partial care facilities, are legally required to register with DSD and adhere to strict safety, hygiene, and emergency preparedness standards.

Understanding Partial Care and Prevention

The session provided an in-depth look at the different childcare options available in South Africa, focusing on partial care facilities, child and youth care centres, and drop-in centres. Mahlatse explained that partial care facilities—ranging from Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and after-school care centres to private hostels and Temporary Respite Care (centres for children with severe disabilities)—offer temporary care for children up to 18 years old.

“These facilities provide a safe space, supervision, and a nurturing environment for children, especially to relieve parents while they are at work. This is particularly important for children with disabilities,” Mahlatse emphasised. She noted, however, that many centres in poorer communities struggle to meet the infrastructure and equipment standards required for registration and funding.

The norms and standards for these facilities are strict, ensuring children’s safety and well-being. Facilities must maintain hygienic toilets, safe drinking water, adequate space and ventilation, and have emergency action plans in place. “Registration is key to compliance and quality assurance,” Mahlatse stressed, adding that unregistered facilities not only miss out on funding but also put children at risk.

Drop-in centres, another form of community-based care, provide basic services such as meals, hygiene support, and educational assistance to vulnerable children. Some centres go further, offering counselling, psychosocial support, life skills education, and health services in collaboration with local clinics.

Child and youth care centres were also discussed, catering to children who cannot be placed with families. These centres run various residential programmes, from temporary safe care and secure care for children in conflict with the law to long-term homes for orphans and abandoned children.

Prevention and Early Intervention Services

The session spotlighted the transformative role of prevention and early intervention programmes in preserving family units and reducing the need for child removals. These programmes target at-risk individuals, families and communities, tackling issues like substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and family disputes before they escalate.

“Prevention and early intervention are the first forms of support to avoid statutory processes, such as removing children from their families and communities,” Mahlatse explained.

Mahlatse explained that such programmes must be registered with DSD and undergo annual assessments to verify their relevance, sustainability, and effectiveness. This rigorous evaluation process ensures programmes continue to meet the evolving needs of children and families while upholding quality standards.

She added that PEI programmes can address issues including substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and family disputes, helping to prevent dysfunction and preserve family units. However, Mahlatse acknowledged that implementation remains a challenge. “Communities and officials are not yet fully conversant with these provisions, which limits the availability of PEI programmes to help deal with the social ills facing our children and families.”

All PEI programmes must be registered with DSD and undergo annual assessments to ensure they meet the needs of children and comply with norms and standards. “We assess their relevance, sustainability, and capacity to deliver quality services,” Mahlatse said.

Mandatory Reporting: A Shared Responsibility

Delivering a strong message, Mahlatse revealed that all professionals—including social workers, teachers, and healthcare workers—have a legal obligation to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Failure to report, she warned, carries criminal consequences. She further stressed that child protection is a collective duty requiring vigilance and cooperation across sectors to uphold children’s rights and well-being.

Challenges and Collaboration

Despite the strong legislative framework, challenges persist. According to Mahlatse, non-compliance with norms and standards, particularly in underfunded communities, and a general lack of awareness about Chapters 5 and 8 of the Act hamper effective service delivery.

She called for greater inter-sectoral collaboration to enhance prevention and early intervention efforts. “Inter-sectoral collaboration is very key for effective and efficient service delivery,” she emphasised, noting the importance of partnerships with education, health, and justice sectors.

Mahlatse also highlighted the critical role of the public and service providers in child protection. “The public and service providers are the ears and mouthpiece of communities. They are vital in reporting cases of child abuse and neglect and in spreading information about the necessity of partial care facilities and PEI programmes.”

As Child Protection Week approaches, DSD’s information-sharing session stands as a call to action to strengthen community-based care and prevention services, ensuring every child in South Africa is safe, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

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