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PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION PERFORMANCE BY PROGRAMME
this regard total of one hundred and fourteen (114) participants the responsibility for the delivery of social welfare services, non-
attended the training. governmental organisations and community-based organisations.
Alternative Care The implementation plan was consulted with the national
The Department conducted capacity building on the Developmental government departments, the non-governmental organisations, the
Assessment Tool for children in alternative care and Guidelines institutions of higher learning, professional bodies and associations.
for Independent Living Programme in four (4) provinces, namely;
Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. A total The Draft White Paper for Social Development provides a framework
of three hundred and seventy-two (372) Social Service Practitioners for the development of an overarching social development
were reached. The training on the Developmental Assessment legislation. The Department started the process of drafting the
Tool was aimed at empowering Social Service Practitioners to legislation. The draft Social Development Bill was consulted with
conduct thorough assessments of all children placed in alternative all provincial Departments of Social Development.
care, ensuring that the developmental needs and strengths of
the children are met. Similarly, the training on the Guidelines for The draft Bill was further consulted with research institutions,
Independent Living Programmes was intended to ensure that institutions of higher learning, the South African Council for Social
Social Service Practitioners are equipped to prepare children for Service Professions and professional associations. A consultation
the transition to independent living as productive citizens through report was developed. The draft Social Development Bill will
obtaining life skills and education. provide a unified system to guide the provision of comprehensive,
integrated, rights-based and well-resourced quality social
Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) development services.
During the period under review, Department piloted the Monitoring
Tool for the Guidelines for Community-Based Prevention and Early Social Service Professional Support
Intervention Services to Vulnerable Children in three (3) provinces, The Department planned to submit and make presentation on the
namely, Limpopo, North West and Gauteng. Following the pilot, Social Service Practitioners Draft Bill (SSP Draft Bill) to the Cluster
the tool was then presented and approved by the DDG Forum and for support and final submission to Cabinet. However, this was not
noted by the Welfare Services Forum in March 2022. achieved due to the fact the final certification of Bill was not yet
issued by the Office of Chief State Law Advisor (OCSLA) at the end
The Department further launched the Community-Based Prevention of reporting period. To this end, OCSLA submitted comments and
and Early Intervention Programme (RISIHA), a XiTsonga name which legal opinion on the SSP Draft Bill. The Department considered
means ‘Resilience’. The Programme was launched by the Minister of the comments and legal opinion from OCSLA, updated the Bill and
Social Development in September 2021 at Siyanakekela Drop-in- developed a detailed response on identified areas.
Centre in Mpumalanga. The aim of the launch was to promote and
create awareness of its existence to all communities. The updated Bill and response were submitted to the OCSLA in
November 2021. Further feedback was received from OCSLA in
Professional Social Services and Older Persons December 2021. The Department will review the feedback from
the OCSLA, update the Bill and resubmit it for final certification.
Services Standards, Quality Assurance and Governance In addition to this, the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System
In the 2020/21 financial year, the Department developed the (SEIAS) report on the Bill was developed and submitted to DPME
White Paper for Social Development through rigorous consultation for certification, which was granted in August 2021.
with various stakeholders. During the period under review, the
Department facilitated the consideration and approval of the The Department continues to monitor the implementation of the
Cabinet Memorandum and the applicable annexures by the Social Service Professions Act, 1978 (Act No.110 of 1978). During
Minister in preparation for tabling the draft White Paper before the reporting period, the Department commenced with the work to
Cabinet for approval. The draft White Paper was presented to develop, amend and review the regulations on the SSP Act. Similarly,
Cabinet Committee in November 2021 for approval. The Cabinet the Department amended regulations on nominations and election
Committee recommended the establishment of a task team, with of members of Council and developed draft regulations pertaining
the support of the Departmental EXCO to further enhance and the scope of practice for the social work profession and continued
strengthen the White Paper. Subsequent engagements were held professional development for social service professions.
with NEDLAC for consideration and support prior to re-tabling of
the White Paper before Cabinet. The engagements with NEDLAC The unit also amended regulations on fees payable by social service
sought to ensure that the White Paper promotes the goals of professionals.
economic growth, participatory democracy, social equity and that The regulations on nominations and elections of members of
it represents community and development interests. The NEDLAC Council and draft regulations on scope of practice were gazetted
engagements led to the establishment of the task team, the for public comments. Furthermore, regulations on fees payable by
development of the Terms of Reference (TORs) and confirmation SSP’s and regulations on nomination and election of members of
of schedule of consultations. Once consolidated, the White Paper Council and Professional Boards were gazetted for implementation.
is envisaged to be re-tabled before Cabinet during the 2022/23 The unit also facilitated approval of regulations on social work
financial year. scope of practice for publication in the government gazette for
implementation which are due for consideration and approval
To ensure that mechanisms and resources are put in place for by the Minister. Furthermore, the unit facilitated consideration
the effective implementation of the White Paper, the Department of pertinent issues on regulations on social work specialty areas
developed the draft Implementation Plan for the White Paper. The specifically Forensic Social Work, Occupational Social Work and
plan provides for the implementation of the White Paper by the Supervision Social Work and regulations on Continued Professional
Social Development Sector, other government departments, with Development, submitted for Minister consideration.
58 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2021/22