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DSD SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN

DSD SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Presentation to the Portfolio Committee 10 August 2010. CONTENT OF THE PRESENTATION. Introduction Departmental organisation Legislative base or framework Programmes and services to women and children Child Care and Protection services to Children

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DSD SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN

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  1. DSD SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN Presentation to the Portfolio Committee 10 August 2010

  2. CONTENT OF THE PRESENTATION • Introduction • Departmental organisation • Legislative base or framework • Programmes and services to women and children • Child Care and Protection services to Children • Social Grants • Victim Empowerment • Home Community Based Care • Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse • Services to Older Persons • Services to People with Disabilities • Community Development • Conclusion

  3. Introduction • The Department of Social Development has as one of its mandate, specific programmes and legislation to improve government’s goal of promotion and protecting the rights of women and children. • In most instances, especially with regard to services to women, programmes are designed within broad integrated approach targeting all groups irrespective of gender. • Most of the policies, legislation and programmes are implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders in government and civil society organizations.

  4. DSD ORGANISATION

  5. DSD Programmes to Women & Children

  6. Services to Children • Children’s Act implementation • Child Protection services • Adoptions and International Social Services • Early Childhood Development services • Child Justice Services • Services to Orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS

  7. CHILDREN’S ACT 38 OF 2005 AS AMENDED • The Department of Social Development has been mandated to provide statutory services to children as required by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 as amended by the Children’s Amendment Act 41 of 2007 promulgated on 1 April 2010. • The Children’s Act has been drafted to support the Constitution of South Africa in particular Section 28. The protection of children’s rights leads to corresponding improvement in the lives of families and communities.

  8. IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILDREN’S ACT • The Act seeks to improve the quality of life to all citizens especially those of children.  The rights of children, the best interest of children and the protection of children are of paramount importance. The importance of children’s participation in matters affecting them is also emphasized. Special recognition is given to children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. • The age of majority has been lowered from 21 to 18 years and this would allow vulnerable children especially those in child headed households to exercise their rights as majors, for example entering into contracts, safeguarding the property interests of the household • The Act also provides a regulatory framework for religious, cultural and social practices such as circumcision, virginity testing, female mutilation and marriage with the main purpose to protect children. • However, the determination of the true impact of the Children’s Act will only be evaluated after a period of implementation.

  9. PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILD ABUSE NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION • Objectives • To strengthen and build children’s capacity • To strengthen self reliance • To address problems that may or are bound to occur in the family environment which, if not attended to, may lead to statutory intervention. • Early Intervention programmes, on the other hand, are provided to families where there are children identified as being vulnerable to or at risk of harm or removal into alternative care

  10. CHILD PROTECTION SERVICESCHILD PROTECTION REGISTER • The National Register has been established to create a database of people who have been found unsuitable to work with children which is a new provision from the Children’s Act CPR Part B. • Persons must be regarded as unsuitable to work with children when convicted of murder, attempted murder, indecent assault or assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm with regard to a child. • The impact of the new register will be to prevent adults that have committed crimes against children, not to work with them anymore. • Alleged perpetrators could be removed from their homes if there is enough reason to believe that he/she will harm the child further.

  11. IMPACT CHILD PROTECTION REGISTER • Government has also put in place various instruments and mechanisms for the protection of children, and one of these is the Child Protection Register (CPR) A created in terms of the Child Care Act of 1983. • Child Protection Register Statistics: 2008/9

  12. CHILD EXPLOITATION • Objectives • To ensure protection and empowerment of vulnerable children who confront challenges of poverty, unemployment, child abuse, neglect and exploitation, loss of support systems and other conditions which increase their vulnerability. • Services • Advocacy, prevention by education, community mobilisation, early detection and treatment • SA has committed itself internationally and nationally towards the Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour. • Ensuring partnership in the development and implementation of the strategy for the purposes of the care and protection of exploited children. • Campaigns • Child Protection Week as marketing tool to advocate for children’s rights, educate and mobilise families and communities towards their responsibility for the protection and care of children and to identify and report child abuse and neglect and to uphold government’s commitment to protect and promote children’s rights in partnership with civil society.

  13. ALTERNATIVE CARE SERVICES • SERVICES • Foster careand cluster foster care These are statutory services for children who have been found in need of care and protection. Children become the wards of the state and are placed with a family for foster care. Activities • Standardise foster care services; • Appropriate utilisation of social service professionals; • Screening and training of foster parents; • Establishment of information systems • Regular and consistent supervision in compliance with the Regulations; • Child and youth care centres These are residential care facilities primarily provided for children in vulnerable circumstances and at risk, found to be in need of care and protection, when alternative placements such as foster care and adoption are not suitable options.

  14. IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE CARE • There are 497,992 foster children receiving foster child grants and 334,417 families benefiting from the service in July 2010. • Currently, there are 345 established and registered Child and Youth Care Centres accommodating approximately 18,783 children away from their families. The ages of this children ranges between the ages of 0-18 years.

  15. INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMME • The department of Social Development has the responsibility to protect the interest of our children in international countries. • The financial obligation, to return South African children in distress abroad to be placed in foster care with the next of kin in South Africa, firstly lies with the next of kin the Department of International Relations assist in returning children in distress back to South Africa. • In the 2008/09 financial year the Department of Social Development, as governed by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, took the financial responsibility to pay for the returning costs of these children in distress where the next of kin was unable to pay.

  16. ADOPTION SERVICES PROGRAMME • Adoption, is described as a legal process by means of which parental powers, rights and responsibilities over a child are revoked or set aside and vested in another person or persons, namely the adoptive parent or parents. • It is, therefore, preferred over other forms of care because of the permanency and protection it brings to the relationship between the child and the adoptive family. • The Department of Social Development has two adoption programmes namely National and Inter-country Progammes. • The National Adoption Programme entails activities in trying to place the child locally within the country. • Inter-country Programme entails activities in placing the child in foreign countries with parents according to the Hague Convention on Protection of children and Corporation in respect of Inter- Country adoption.

  17. IMPACTNumber of children adopted

  18. CHILDREN LIVING AND WORKING ON THE STREETS • In line with the Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005 [as amended] these are defined as “children in need of care and protection.. • IMPACTS • The number of street children in shelters is 1956; • Drop in centres is 1594 as at the end of December 2009 • The Strategy and Guidelines for Children Living and Working on the Streets developed and in place

  19. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) PROGRAMMES AND PARTIAL CARE SERVICES Definition ECD is a comprehensive programme which has as a primary goal investment in the development of children DSD ROLES • Implementation of the Integrated Plan for ECD that promotes integration of services and establishment of partnerships at all levels • Monitoring and evaluation of Partial and ECD services. • Training and capacity building of the participants and service providers in terms of service delivery, • Registration of partial care facilities and ECD programmes, • Subsidisation of children attending ECD programmes, • Monitoring and evaluation of ECD programmes.

  20. IMPACT OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME • There are 14 908 ECD centres in South Africa registered with the Department of Social Development. • There are 424 591 children subsidised by the Department of Social Development. • There are 706 009 children attending the registered Early childhood and development centres • The subsidy amount paid to registered crèches for the daily attendance of children by 7 provinces is R12 per day per child while two provinces paid R11 per day per child due to financial constraints. • Additionally ECD is one of the critical programmes for Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) through which training is given to ECD practitioners so as to improve the quality of service rendering

  21. SERVICES TO CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW • The Department renders services to children in conflict with the law based on legislative mandates as stipulated in various Acts such as the following: • Child Justice Act,75 of 2008: • Probation Services Amendment Act,2002: • Section 4B states that any arrested child who has not been released shall be assessed by a probation officer as soon as reasonably possible, but before his orher first appearance in court in terms of section 50( l) (c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977): Provided that if the child has not yet been assessed when brought before the court, the court may authorize the extension of the period within which the assessment must take place by periods not exceeding seven days at a time following his or her first court appearance.” • Section 4A refers to appointment of assistant probation officers and their duties • Children’s Act 38 of 2005 as amendment : • Chapter 8(s) 143 (sub section 1) a-b: provision of prevention programme • (sub section 2) a-b: early intervention programmes • Chapter 13 refers to establishment of Residential Care Facilities and programmes.

  22. MEASURES PUT IN PLACETO ENSURE THAT THE CONTACT OF CHILD OFFENDERS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS LIMITED • Assessment of arrested children is conducted by Probation officers in courts, Reception, Assessment and Referral centres (RAR) and in DSD offices • April 2009 to march 2010 44 172 children were assessed • Implementation of diversion programmes in partnership with CSO’s • Approximately 19751 children were diverted during the last financial year. • Visits to SAPS holding facilities to check children by APO’s • Re-assessment of children detained in DCS facilities for alternative placement (14 day remand) • Utilization of the Home-based Supervision programme as an awaiting trial option, sentencing option and diversion option we reach approximately 6 456 children for the 2009/10 • Turn around strategy of children’s cases (Case flow management) • Provision of secure care facilities, currently 26 fully functional • Advocacy programs- Preventative programs in collaboration with other stakeholders. • Participating on the awaiting trial detainees task team led by DCS to reduce number of children in DCS facilities

  23. MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTACT OF CHILD OFFENDERS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS LIMITED (CONT….) • SECURE CARE FACILITIES • The department has 26 fully functional Secure Care Facilities, three under renovations ( 1 EC and 2 in KZN), three converted to function as Place of Safety (2 EC and 1 KZN),four new facilities awaiting operationalization (1 KZN, 1 NC, 1 GP and 1 NW) and planned to build additional 6 facilities within the MTEF (1 EC; 1 FS; 1 LMP ; 2 MPU; 1 NW ). • Out of the 26 facilities nine are outsourced to NGO’s and 17 run by the department. • On average 1600 to 1936 new children are admitted at these facilities. • In total the facilities have 2457 bed capacity and at a given time there is approximately bed space of 500. • For instance as of the 30thJune 2010, 549 bed space was available • These facilities are always not fully utilized. • The planned facilities will provide additional bed capacity of 360

  24. SECURE CARE CAPACITY

  25. LEVEL OF SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT TO CHILDREN INCONFLICT WITH THE LAW • Diversion • Approximately 26 207 children were diverted during the last financial year. • However a more concerted effort is required to strengthen programmes and fund NGO’s who are providing these programmes as children are committing more violent crimes and sexual related offences. • The Department is engaged in the process of designing and developing programmes which are in line with the requirements of the Child Justice Act.

  26. VEP SERVICES FOR WOMEN • The Domestic Violence Act,1996 (Act No 116 of 1996) aims to protect women and children who are victims of crime and violence. • The DSD as lead department in VEP facilitates the establishment and management of safe and secured shelters in South Africa.VEP also responsible for monitoring and evaluating the impact of services rendered in the VE Sector and shelters. • There are 96 shelters and the following services are rendered: • Life Skill Programmes e.g. parental skills, anger and conflict management, assertiveness. • Skills development/Economic Empowerment e.g. Abet training catering, computer literacy, Arts and culture • Psychosocial interventions i.e. Individual and family counselling, group therapy • The Department is also rendering services on the engagement of men and boys in the prevention of gender based violence and gender equality. • Prevention programmes on 16 Days Campaign on no Violence Against Women and Children on the prevention of Gender Based Violence and Victims Charter Week • 13 out of the 96 shelters identified to render rehabilitation programme to victims of human trafficking.

  27. MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE (SPECIFICALLY WOMEN ) 96 shelters that established to ensure that women are protected, cared for and supported as victims of crime and violence.Shelter services are available 24hr/7days. 13 shelters identified to accommodate victims of human trafficking. Psychosocial intervention services to improve the quality of life for women and children. Skills and economic development programmes and services to empower women and to enable them to be economically independent and self reliant. Community awareness on the Victims Charter to ensure that women are also sensitised, educated and understand their rights.

  28. SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN • Substance abuse national help line established and managed by SADAG, to assist vulnerable groups such as women and children on substance abuse related issues. TOLL FREE Number 0800 121314 SMS 32312 • April 2009 to April 2010 4001 calls were attended to, • Prevention and early intervention services: awareness raising, provision of information, life skills, capacity building, support services, promotion of healthy and alternative life style etc • The department is also implementing Kemoja programme targeting children, parents and care givers • Treatment services: There are 6 public treatment centers and 43 registered private treatment centers that cater for youth and women detoxification, therapeutic counseling service, life skills. • Community based services: counseling, capacity building, support services, life skills, family strengthening, promotion of healthy and alternative life style etc • Aftercare and reintegration services: life skills, support and linking service providers with families, communities, place of employment, learning institutions and other resources.

  29. HIV& AIDS SERVICES TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN HCBC SERVICES • Care and support role rests with women and recently young children as well • The Home and Community Based Care Programmes (HCBC) programme seeks to; • Address needs of the most vulnerable people in communities of which the majority is women and children • Addresses the vulnerability of women and children by providing them with the necessary information and appropriate services in supporting their roles as women through economic and social empowerment programmes • Relieve the burden care on women through greater involvement of men in the Home and Community Based Care Programmes to encourage shared responsibilities

  30. HIV&AIDS FACTS AND FIGURES (IMPACT) • In 2009/2010 the following services were rendered to Children • 604 100 children overall received various services within the programme • 31 570 Child Headed Households supported • 34 170 children on ARVs supported • 98 996 referred for Child Support Grant (CSG) • 70 163 for alternative care • 26 389 received school uniforms • 566 199 received cooked meals daily

  31. DELIVERABLES OF THE HCBC PROGRAMME TO WOMEN • Early identification of vulnerable women and children infected and affected by HIV and AIDS • Strengthened capacity of women to deal with consequences of HIV and AIDS • Care, support and protection of life inheritance provided for women and children • Capacitated women in terms of skills both as beneficiaries and community caregivers • Increased employment opportunities through the support of the EPWP programme.

  32. DELIVERABLES OF THE HCBC PROGRAMME TO WOMEN (cont...) • Treatment support to women and children living with HIV and AIDS • Sensitized and mobilized communities on the plight of women and children • Provision of Care, support and protection of life inheritance • Strengthened capacity of women to generate income • Research for evidence based policy development such as; • Maternal orphan count • Child headed household study • Regular HCBC audits to inform location, status and impact of the HCBC organizations • Audit of Child Care forum

  33. SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN • older person’s grant (OPG) , • disability grant (DG), • care dependency grant (CDG), • foster care grant (FCG), • child support grant (CSG), • social relief of distress (SRD)

  34. SOCIAL GRANTS STATISTICS

  35. SOCIAL GRANTS STATISTICAL ANALYSIS CHILDREN • Almost 9.9m of poor children are beneficiaries of the CSG. • About 500,000 children are beneficiaries of the FCG and almost 110 000 receive CDG. • WOMEN • The majority of the recipients are women. • For example, with the CSG, over 5m caregivers are females as compared to almost 103 000 males caregivers.

  36. SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS (SRD) • The purpose of the programme is, to provide temporary relief to mitigate the effects of distress to individuals, households and communities experiencing crises or shocks that are transitory in nature. • SRD is offered in the form of cash, vouchers and food parcels. • As of end June 2010 about 10, 007 poor households have benefited from SRD to the value of R10m.

  37. IMPACT OF THE SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME • Poverty Reducing Impacts • Social Grants are effective in addressing the prevalence of poverty. • Spending patterns in households that receive social grants are more focused on basics necessities like food, fuel, and education. • This increased spending on food is associated with better nutritional outcomes. • Developmental Impacts • Increase school attendance. • Improve health and nutrition. • Increase gender equity & promote job searching.

  38. IMPACT OF SOCIAL GRANTS • Labour Market Impacts • People in households receiving social grants as compared to non recipients have: • Increased their labour force participation. • Increased their employment rates. • Social grants increases consumption and stimulate local demand. • The Macroeconomic Impacts • Improved access to education leads to higher rates of economic growth. • Increases domestic employment. • Promotes a more equal distribution of income. • Positive impact on national savings.

  39. PROFILE OF CAREGIVERS OF THE CSG BENEFICIARIES • There are about 8 million caregivers of children receiving CSG in South Africa. • The majority of these caregivers are women.

  40. IMPACT OF CSG • Increases domestic employment • Promotes a more equal distribution of income • Positive impact on national savings

  41. SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES • Services to People with Disabilities are informed by several DSD Policies and Legislation, as well as amongst others UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focusing on Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). • DSD does not have programmes that specifically target women and children but have programmes that include all age groups and both males and female.

  42. There is total number of 171 workshops throughout the country, given per province as follows:A total number of 9 511 people with disabilities were identified as benefiting from these protective workshops.

  43. Protective workshops • The education and skills acquired facilitates the development of small businesses, as well as the integration of people with disabilities with broader society. • The programme results in improved education and skills providing an opportunity to entry into open labour market, with People with disabilities becoming economically independent. • The programme also results in increased self-representation of people with disabilities occupying senior management positions.

  44. PROGRAMMES & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS • Intergenerational Programmes • Economic Programmes • Community Based Programmes • Prevention and Management of Elder Abuse • Promotion of Rights of Elder Persons • Operation Dignity • Residential Care/Frail Care Services • Funding and Monitoring of Services

  45. PROGRAMMES & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS (CONT….) Intergenerational Programmes • The programme is about dialogues between older persons and the youth to share wisdom of older person as well as passing to the youth issues of history and culture, on the other hand youth sharing with older persons youth issues which affects their day to day life as young people

  46. PROGRAMMES & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS (CONT…) • Economic Programmes • Economic development programmes that ensure that older persons are not excluded from the issues of economic development in their communities. These programmes also ensure that the older persons are able to live in the community as long as possible coping with the financial demands. • Community Based Programmes • Programmes aimed at promoting quality of life for older persons especially the frail older persons

  47. PROGRAMMES & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS (CONT…) • Prevention and Management of Elder Abuse • Abuse of older persons is rife. The management of elder abuse is also differently handled by stakeholders. A protocol for management of abuse has been developed and implemented. • The Older Person Act, No 13 of 2006 (Act 13of 2006): • Defines an Older Person in need of care • Identifies abuse of an Older Person • Defines procedures for managing abuse/violence against an Older Person • Defines procedures for dealing with the perpetrator • Emphasizes a need to keep the register of perpetrators of abuse

  48. PROGRAMMES & SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS ( CONT…) • Promotion of Rights of older personsOlder persons’ rights are often violated due to the fact that these have not been published and not known • Operation DignityThe programme is aimed at restoring respect and dignity • Residential Care /Frail care Services The services to older persons who are unable to live independently • Funding and Monitoring of services • The funding and the management of third parties is critical for delivering quality services. NGOs facilitate in rendering services to older persons in the community. The monitoring of these services is critical in order to render quality services.

  49. IMPACT OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED CARE SERVICES

  50. Community Development Objectives of Programmes & services for women & Children • Act as a safety net for the poor and vulnerable • Empower women for self-reliance • Strengthen the food production capacity at a household level • Economic empowerment 50

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