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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

thus contributing to youth employment. Additionally, the development of policies, children, child abuse, neglect and exploitation has been developed. The monitoring
legislation, norms and standards for the provision of social welfare services to Older tool is needed to oversee the effective and efficient provisioning of the services.
Persons, the implementation thereof as well as monitoring to this effect, continues to The monitoring tool will be finalised and approved. Over the Medium Term, the
remain a priority of government. Department will monitor the implementation of these protocols by stakeholders.
Policy on the provision of psychosocial services – psychosocial service provision is
In relation to the 2nd Children’s Amendment Act, government social workers are part of the unique contribution of the Department in the overall fight against GBV.
expected to render Adoption services. Capacity building will be conducted to It is the core mandate of the Department driven by the social service practitioners
empower them to render the services. The aim is to capacitate the nine provinces and requires safeguarding to ensure that it remains a meaningful contribution to
so that they all render uniform and standardised services. Empowered, resilient the sector. The policy will provide guidance to the sector and will also inform various
individuals, families and sustainable communities: The care and protection of children models to the provision of psychosocial services in different settings (it can also look
is a Constitutional Obligation. The Children’s Act is government’s premier instrument at the Do’s and Don’ts by service providers)
to promote, prevent and protect its most vulnerable citizens- children. 12.5million
children live under the poverty line and receive child support grants. An investment The psychosocial services policy will result in the reduction of social ills as women,
in children is critical in order to break the countries’ violence, poverty and inequality children and other vulnerable groups that have received well-regulated psychosocial
scourge. services provided by credible service providers will have a better chance to bounciness
and self-reliant. The provision of psychosocial services eliminates the chances of
The review and finalisation of the processes to amend the Children’s Act is in line with victims becoming perpetrators of crime and violence. The policy will reduce social
the obligations of government to observe, protect, realise, safeguard all children’s ills as service users/clients will be provided with for example, containment, trauma
rights and act in their best interest. Conduct capacity building of Social Workers counselling etc. That is in-line with the social service profession taking into account
on Adoption Services and the implementation of Guidelines on Community Based the client’s dignity, confidentiality and that it be provided in a developmental manner.
Prevention and Early intervention services to vulnerable children. In 2019, the The policy has a potential to transform the sector as it will clearly guide the various
President announced the migration of Early Childhood Development from DSD role-players in terms of where they share the responsibility without compromising
to DBE. To date, a proclamation has been singed transferring power of ECD to the the social work professional space. For example outlining the parameters of religious/
Minister of DBE. The migration is expected to commerce in April 2022. faith based, traditional, professional, etc. The clear impact will be in the reduction
of re-victimisation of service users / clients. Victims of sexual offences are the most
Over the Medium-Term the Department intends to facilitate the approval of the vulnerable groups to re- victimisation in the process of receiving counselling as part
White Paper on Social Development. Consequently, consultation on the Draft Social of psychosocial services, by non-regulated providers.
Development Bill will be conducted with the Social Development Sector, including
NPOs and Institutions of Higher Learning. The Department will develop, finalise and Intersectoral Sheltering Policy – will reduce social ills as it will ensure that victims
approve the monitoring tool on the implementation of Guidelines on Community Based of crime and violence, for example, women receive suitable sheltering services that
Prevention and Early intervention services to vulnerable children. These guidelines will meet their needs. The policy will look into different models required to cater for
are aimed at addressing their challenges at an early stage to avoid them going deeper various victims including for example young women who will need to be exposed to
into statutory services. The Guidelines have been developed to allow uniform and economic activities in order to exit the shelters with skills to enter the job market or
standardised services to be rendered across all the provinces. A monitoring tool is has start their own business. The policy on sheltering services will remove victims from an
been developed to oversee the effective and efficient provisioning of the services. The environment of abuse to an environment where they can positively transform their
monitoring tool has been approved. Provinces are in the process of reporting against lives for the better, not just for themselves but their dependents (children) through
these approved tools empowerment programmes offered.

Intersectoral Protocol on the Prevention and Management of violence against Given the high levels of violence in society, there is a need to ensure individuals,
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ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN