IJS MODERNISING SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY

• The Department of Social Development (DSD) is integrating 15 systems, with three in development and one on pilot, through the Integrated Justice System (IJS) to enhance social protection services.
• The DSD has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various government departments to implement the National Integrated Social Protection Information System (NISPIS), aiming to improve data management and service delivery.
• While technology advances service efficiency, ethical and legal challenges, including concerns about privacy, AI’s role, and cybersecurity, remain significant issues for social work professionals.

The Department of Social Development’s (DSD) partnership with the Integrated Justice System (IJS) is beginning to deliver significant results, thanks to technological investments within the department. From 29 July to 2 August 2024, a five-day workshop was held in Cape Town to review and enhance the DSD’s IJS Programme.

Currently, the IJS has integrated a total of 15 systems within the DSD, with three systems in development and one on pilot. This integration allows for the collection of collaborative insights, facilitating targeted interventions and intergovernmental programme improvements. The systems enable the DSD to interface with government data, providing a deeper understanding of citizens’ needs.

IJS technology has supported the DSD in various critical areas, including child protection, care for older persons, and the fight against gender-based violence. “The South African government has long been at the forefront of societal transformation and development,” explained Mr Unathi Ngumla, IJS Programme Manager. “The IJS Programme within DSD is informed by various legislations and Acts of Parliament, aiming to serve and improve the lives of all South Africans.”

Mr Ngumla noted that the IJS journey continues to evolve with legislative changes, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in delivering services to communities and ensuring citizen safety. As the world modernises, the government must adapt to meet the demands of a rapidly changing environment, embracing technology and system integration for timely, efficient, and effective service delivery.

To enhance the quality and efficiency of social protection services, the DSD has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key government departments. These agreements aim to develop and implement the National Integrated Social Protection Information System (NISPIS), an electronic data management system designed to streamline and improve social protection services across South Africa. NISPIS aims to integrate data from multiple sectors, providing a comprehensive view of individuals’ circumstances and improving the targeting and delivery of social protection to address issues such as poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

The initiative underscores the importance of inter-departmental collaboration, ensuring efficient resource use, preventing fraud, and adhering to privacy laws, particularly the Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013. This data integration offers a holistic view of individuals’ circumstances, ensuring tailored social protection interventions.

The DSD’s modernisation efforts provide programme managers with data to identify gaps in social work services, enabling informed decision-making. IJS technologies have significantly enhanced the department’s ability to meet the needs of its constituents. One such system, the Probation Case Management (PCM), is integrated with the South African Police Service (SAPS). This system notifies the DSD of every child arrested nationwide, allowing social workers to account for these children in real-time and make immediate, informed decisions to avoid detention.

To strengthen child protection measures, the DSD has also improved access to its Child Protection Register (CPR), enabling South Africans to check whether individuals are unsuitable to work with children. As of July 2024, the register lists 12,596 individuals unsuitable for child-related work. Employers are increasingly screening prospective employees, including those from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana.

While technology enhances efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery, it also raises complex ethical and legal issues. Social work professionals express concerns about ethical dilemmas, legal complexities, privacy and confidentiality, corruption, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. AI’s role in social work is particularly contentious, with fears that it may inadequately replace human judgement in sensitive situations, affecting decision-making processes and client interactions.