Government-funded programmes and services for vulnerable - Unicef

Department of Social Development
➔
and rehabilitation for
children who have
suffered abuse, neglect,
trauma, grief or who have
behaviour or substance
abuse problems, as well
as reunification and
reintegration services.
The prevention and early
intervention elements
have been dealt with
extensively in the
immediately preceding
section and the remainder
of the elements making
up the continuum are
explained in more detail
below.
There is a
statutory duty
on certain
officials
and service
providers
to report
suspected
cases of
abuse, neglect,
abandonment
xlv
There is a statutory duty
on some people/offices
to report all cases of
apparent abuse or neglect
of a child and children
that are in need of care
and protection (as defined
by the Children’s Act) to a
designated child protection
organisation, the provincial
DoSD or a police official.
Once a report is
made, the Department
or designated child
protection organisation
must:
ensure the safety and
well-being of the child;
make an initial
assessment of the report
of abuse or neglect;
investigate the
truthfulness of the
report; and
if the report is
substantiated, initiate
proceedings for the
protection of the child
in terms of the Act.
Targeted beneficiaries
Abused or neglected
children
Children in need of care
and protection as defined
by the Children’s Act xlvi
Who bears the duty to
report?
Correctional officials,
dentists, homeopaths,
immigration officials,
labour inspectors,
legal practitioners,
medical practitioners,
midwives, ministers
of religion, nurses,
occupational therapists,
physiotherapists,
psychologists, social
service professionals,
social workers, speech
therapists, teachers,
traditional health
practitioners, traditional
leaders, staff at partial
care facilities, dropin
centres, child and
youth care centres
➔
47