Focus Groups-Children

SERVICE
Community Based Services: One Stop Youth Justice Centre

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Protection of the rights of Children in trouble with the Law through implementation of early intervention programmes.

LEGISLATION
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
Stepping Stone one stop youth justice centre was established as a pilot project in 1996 by the Inter Ministerial Committee on Youth at Risk, South Africa for the purposes of promotion and protection of the rights of the children in trouble with law through implementation of early intervention programmes

This centre has been transferred to the department by IMC during 2000/01 financial year. This centre has made immense Contributions towards child/youth in trouble with law and the victims of crime through implementation of restorative Justice Programmes, namely, family group conferencing and victim offender mediation programmes. other diversion programmes that have been successful in diverting young persons away from the criminal justice system include; Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), Pre-Trial Community Service Order (PTCSO), South African Young Sexual Treatment Offender Programme (SAYSTOP),etc.

PURPOSE/AIMS OF THE SERVICE
This centre renders the following services to young people in trouble with the law;

• Developmental assessment.
• Diversion programmes.
• Court work
• Supervision in accordance with Criminal procedure Act 51 of 1977.
• After care services.
• Family finding
• Training of other professionals

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
Probation Officers employed by the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICE
Children in trouble with the Law and the Victims of crime through implementation of restorative Justice Programmes.

SERVICE
Community Based Services : Youth development Program

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Youth Development Programme focuses on developing long term skills, recreation and job prospects for young people in two identified urban areas with the highest social crime situations in the Province.

LEGISLATION
Youth Commission Act,
Youth Act

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The youth development category of projects comprise the establishment of urban regeneration initiatives with a focus on developing long term skills, recreation and job prospects for 500 young individuals from each of the two identified urban areas with the highest social crime situations in the province i.e. Motherwell in Port Elizabeth and Mdantsane in East London.

AIMS OF THE PROJECT
The purpose of the urban regeneration program is to provide alternative prospects for those who have dropped out of school and are out of work. The emphasis is on early prevention of social crime as opposed to rehabilitation of existing offenders. The programme requires extensive coordination with Youth Commission and the Education Department so as to ensure effective compliance with the National Qualifications framework.

WHERE IS THE SERVICE RENDERED?
Motherwell and East London

DEFINITION OF FOCUS GROUP
Children under the age of 18 years who have been abused, neglected, and in trouble with the Law.

SERVICE
Community Based Services: Place of Safety

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Places of Safety are facilities that provide alternate care services to children in need of care and support.

LEGISLATION
Child Care Act NO 74 of 1983

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
In 1996 there were 4 places of safety owned by the state which were centralized in Port Elizabeth. (accommodating 299 children). To balance the accessibility of these facilities, the Department has started with a reprioritization Programme. As a result two of them have been Closed; one has been extended to accommodate children/youths in conflict with law.

Presently there are only three places of safety operational (one in Maluti and other two are in Port Elizabeth) that accommodates200 Children. There is another place of safety in Queenstown that is awaiting for commissioning.

There are alternate arrangement the department has made to assist the departmental reprioritization Programme which is accommodating place of Safety children in NGO/CBO sponsored children’s homes with state subsidy. In most children’s home there are beds earmarked for place of safety children and the department utilizes these beds for place of safety placements.

Child Care Control units in the districts control the placement of children in place of safety.

The greatest challenge this service is facing is the backlog of cases in courts awaiting finalization. This has resulted in retaining children as place of safety for longer periods.

AIMS OF THE SERVICE
The place of safety provide the following services;

• Basic physical care, medical care, social work services to children and parents.
• Psychological, psychiatric and pastoral services, where necessary.
• Development of social skills.
• Information and education.
• Holiday programme.
• Leisure time programme.
• Initiation and implementation of appropriate community Projects.
• Networking with re-unification and aftercare services with a view to planning the child’ future.
• Recruitment, selection and training of volunteers who will be used to assist in this programme.
• Community involvement.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The Social Worker renders the services to children in these facilities with a view to either re-unify the Child with family or place in alternate Care.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE?
Place of Safety are facilities that provide alternate care services to children in need of care and support. The placement in these facilities is in accordance with respective court order in terms of Child Care Act (Act 74 of 1983.) as a temporary intervention in the event of abuse, neglect, exploitation etc. While the child is in these facilities, the social worker continues with re-unification services in the communities.

In terms of the Act, the duration of stay in a place of safety is only 14 days. In exceptional cases, it should not exceed 6 months and only the MEC for Social Development approves this extension. The child may be re-unified back to the parent during this period. If not, the social worker will make a recommendation to the children’s court to designate the child for alternate care either in foster caring; if a suitable foster parent is available, or designating the child to the children’s home or schools of industry. The child can also be adopted from the place of safety

SERVICE
Community Based Services to Children in need of Care. Foster Care Services

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Foster care placement is a temporary intervention of the state while the family is being prepared to be re-unified with the child.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
Social workers render variety of community based services to child, youth and families through 105 departmental service points and 90 other service points that are managed by Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).

AIMS OF THE SERVICE
The aims of this service include;

• To protect the interest of the child youth and family.
• To promote the social functioning of children, youth and family.
• To enhance the quality of family life.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICE?
Foster care placement is a temporary intervention of the state while the family is being prepared to be re-unified with the child. The social Worker renders supervision and re-unification services in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

When the child is placed with foster parents at cost of the state then the State supports the foster parent by giving foster care grants, which is R540 per child. There are incidents where children are placed under the supervision of the social worker at no cost to the state because some foster parents voluntarily take the responsibility of providing alternative care for children in need of care.

There are also incidents where children are place under foster parents with no cost to the state because of the asset and income of children is sufficient enough to support children.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The Social Workers employed by the Department render the service to Children in need of Care in accordance to Statutory requirements of the Child Care Act and Social Assistance Act.

SERVICE
Community Based Services: RAR

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Reception, Assessment and Referral of Children in trouble with the Law

LEGISLATION THAT UNDERPINNING THE SERVICE
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997
Child Care Act 74 of 1983
Probation Services Act

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the assessment on Reception, Assessment and Referral is to link the child to the suitable diversion programme according to the needs of the Child. The ultimate intention of the diversion programme is to reduce the number of children with criminal records. In the event that the child is not successfully diverted he/she has to go through the normal criminal justice system.

This service is rendered in a multi-disciplinary team approach that involves departments of Social Development, Justice, Correctional Services and SAPS. Other major services: Adoption services, probation services to adult offenders, marriage counseling, divorce counseling, Family therapy, Employees Assistant Programme etc.

AIMS OF THE SERVICE
This service is targeting Children and Youth in trouble with law. In accordance with the transformation of the Child and Youth Justice System any arrest of children and youths under the age of 18 years should be reported by the arresting Officer to the probation officer.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The service is rendered by a probation officer who is a Social Worker appointed in terms of Probation Services Act 115 of 1991 and Probation services Amendment Act 35 of 2002. The probation officer assesses any arrested child/youth within 48 hours before the first appearance to the court.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Children in trouble with the Law under 18 years.

SERVICE
Community Based Services: Secure Care Centre

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
A secure care Centre is a place that retain children/youth below the Age of 18 years who are in trouble with the Law while they await trial in the Court.

LEGISLATION UNDERPINNING OPERATION
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997
Child Care Act no 74 of 1983
Probation Services Act

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The facilities have been evolved as a result of the transformation of the child and youth care system in South Africa in 1996. Prior to this the young people who were awaiting trial were detained either in police cells or prisons together with adults. Even now due to lack of these facilities the above situation is still prevailing in some parts of the Eastern Cape.

But the Department has a programme of action in its strategic plan to erect more of these facilities. John X. Merriman in East London and Sikhuselekile in Umtata are ready for operation and provides accommodation for 50 young people in each.

Presently, Enkuselweni secure care centre in Port Elizabeth is the only dedicated facility in this regard that accommodates 50 children awaiting trial. Erica place of safety is presently accommodating another 50children awaiting trial. This facility accommodates children in need of care also.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE
Secure care center retains children/youth under 18 years who have committed serious offences in Accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997 whilst awaiting trial in court of Law.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The Probation Officer renders the services to children in trouble with the Law in these centers.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICE?
Children under the age of 18 years who are in trouble with the Law who are awaiting trial.

DEFINITION OF FOCUS GROUP
Refers to children under the Age of 18 Years

SERVICE
Child Protection for Children in need of Care

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Protection of children from Abuse, neglect and abandonment.

LEGISLATION
Child Care Act NO 74 of 1983

PURPOSE/AIMS OF THE SERVICE
Child Protection Services: Social workers respond to all forms of child abuse and intervene in accordance with the Child Care Act. 74 of 1983. The social worker monitors the child’s environment and if needed, recommends the Commissioner of Child Welfare to remove the child to an alternate care.

The social workers provide intermediary services when the child appears in court. They are also involved in preventative Programmes in the community. Child Protection Services are rendered in a multi professional Team approach where departments of Social Development Justice, Health and South African Police Service(SAPS) Participate.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE
Social workers render variety of community based services to child, youth and families through 105 departmental service points and 90 other service points that are managed by Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs). The aims of this service include;

• To protect the interest of the child youth and family.
• To promote the social functioning of children, youth and family.
• To enhance the quality of family life.

DEFINITION OF FOCUS GROUP
Children in need of care under the Age of 18 yrs.

SERVICE
Provision of residential Care Services to Children in need of care

LEGISLATION THAT DIRECTS THIS SERVICE
Child Care Act NO 74 of 1983

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
A children’s home must;

• meet the child’s physical, mental, social and Psychological needs.
• promote the child’s quality of life.
• promote healthy lifestyle.
• help build healthy family relationship.
• equip children for future life tasks.
• enhance the children’s functioning on all levels optimally.

The children’s home provide the following services;

• Basic physical care, medical care, social work services to children and parents.
• Psychological, psychiatric and pastoral services, where necessary.
• Development of social skills.
• Information and education.
• Holiday programme.
• Leisure time programme.
• Initiation and implementation of appropriate community Projects.
• Networking with an aim for re-unification and aftercare services for permanency planning for the child’ future.
• Recruitment, selection and training of volunteers who will be used to assist in this programme.
• Community involvement.

The were only two children’s home owned by the state in 1996; Khayalethemba Children’s Home in Mdantsane and Thembelihle Children’s Home in Port Elizabeth which were accommodating 107 children. As a result of departmental reprioritisation programme these facilities have been closed. Presently all children’s homes in the Eastern Cape are sponsored and managed by NGO’s and CBO's. The department subsidizes children in these homes and controls the placement through child care control units in the districts. The department has achieved considerable accessibility of this service since 1996 through the re-prioritization programme.

PURPOSE AND AIMS OF THE SERVICE
Children’s homes are facilities that provide alternate care services to children in need of care and support by the state. The placement in these facilities is in accordance with respective court order in terms of Child Care Act 74 of 1983 as a temporary intervention in the event of abuse, neglect, exploitation etc.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The service is rendered in Children’s Homes that are subsidized by the Department

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION
The placement in these facilities is in accordance with respective court order in terms of Child Care Act 74 of 1983 as a temporary intervention in the event of abuse, neglect, exploitation etc. The court places the child in Children’s Homes only for 14 days but not exceeding 6 months, with the approval of the MEC for Social Development for extensions.

The child may be re-unified with the parent/s during this period. If not, the child may be committed to children’s home by the court through a court order for a maximum period of two years. If re-unification is still unsuccessful the court order will be extended for further two years and can continue until the child has reached 18 years.

SERVICE
Early Childhood Development

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Community Based Services : Crèches

LEGISLATION THAT DIRECTS THE SERVICE
Child Care Act no 74 of 1983
NPO Act of 1997

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The state provide subsidies to registered places of care (registration in accordance with the Child Care Act, Act 74 of 1983 to provide day care services to children between the ages of 1 month 84 months (6 years).

This service has not been rendered in the former Transkei and Ciskei homelands before 1994. The department has achieved equitable distribution of this service throughout Eastern Cape since the new democratic government came into power.

The greatest challenge the department is facing is to improve capacity in monitoring this service.

PURPOSE/AIMS OF THE SERVICE
The aims of this programme are;

• To protect the interest of pre-school children.
• To promote the physical, emotional and social well- being and functioning of pre-school children.
• To enhance the quality of life of children and their families.

The state envisages such places of care to provide the following services to subsidized children;

• Physical care.
• Psycho-social care.
• Language, stimulation, learning and creative activities.
• Information and guidance to parents and
• Community involvement in early childhood development.

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The Preschool Personnel subsidized by the Department.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS SERVICE?
The selection of subsidized children in a place of care is based on a means test which depends upon combined parental gross income. It is as follows;

• Parent(s) with only one child who have (combined) gross monthly income must not exceed R 1800.
• Parent(s) with two children who have (combined) gross monthly income must not exceed R 2020.
• Parent(s) with three children who have (combined) gross monthly income must not exceed R 2240.
• Parent(s) with four children and more who have (combined) gross monthly income must not exceed R 2460.

SERVICE
Community Based Services : Shelters for Street Children and Homeless.

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Services to Street Children and Homeless

LEGISLATION
Child Care Act no 74 0f 1983

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
This programme is targeting homeless/street children, adults and families. This programme is also targeting persons including the disabled with no income or inadequate income to meet their basic needs and who cannot be accommodated in any other type of housing scheme. Victims of crime such as rape and family and social violence who are homeless are also target group of this Programme.

Adults who are discharged from any form of statutory residential care can also be accommodated in shelters, if they are homeless. In the Eastern Cape this programme targets, Street children and homeless adult males.

In 1996 there were 4 street children shelter projects, which had 126 children membership. One of these shelters has been upgraded to a children’s home. Presently the province has only three shelters for street children that have 135 street children membership.

There is a shelter in Umtata that accommodates adult males who are homeless. This shelter have a daily membership of 100 adults

AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE
The aims of this programme include;

• To provide shelter to homeless.
• To provide temporary accommodation to persons who are homeless after having undergone compulsory treatment in a residential facility.
• To provide care and treatment.
• To facilitate re-integration in to the community.
• To contribute to the persons aftercare programme.

The type of services include;

• Temporary affordable housing.
• Temporary affordable care.
• Constructive leisure time activities.
• Counseling and information services.
• Planned programme of activities to facilitate re-integration into the community

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
The Service is rendered by Social Workers with a view to integrate street children back into families or put them in alternate care.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Street Children and adults who are Homeless.