Human resources needed to give effect to children's right to social services

Abstract

he Children's Act (No 38 of 2005), as amended by the Children's Amendment Bill [B19F-2006], requires a range of social service practitioners to deliver social services to children in the areas of partial care, early childhood development, prevention and early intervention, protection, foster care, adoption and child and youth care centres.These services are labour intensive, and effective delivery is dependent on the availability of skilled practitioners in the relevant disciplines.This includes social workers, child and youth care workers and early childhood development practitioners.However, there is a critical shortage of personnel in these categories, and if not addressed as a priority, effective implementation of the Children's Act will not be possible.In this essay an attempt is made to clarify some of the challenges and identify possible solutions.2 0 0 7 / 2 0 0 8 CASE STUDY 7: On 10 October 2003 it was reported [to Childline] that a 10-year-old child was being raped on an ongoing basis by relatives of her foster parent.The case was referred to the local Department of Social Development.Fifteen months later there was still no response. 50 SOUTH AFRICAN CHILD GAUGECASE STUDY 8: A six-year-old child was severely raped by her uncle, and experienced difficulty walking.Although she was treated at the hospital, the mother did not report the case.On 15 March 2004 the case was referred to the local Department of Social Development for investigation.Ten months later there was still no response.CASE STUDIES 7 and 8: No response after child rape was reported Source: Childline (2005) Report on children's rights and child protection management in South Africa, 14 January 2005.Presentation to Portfolio Committee on Social Development, KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature. 1 The increase was calculated using figures from the Children's Bill costing report in 2005 and from the South African Council for Social Service Professions in 2007.Other sources Barberton C (2006) The cost of the Children's Bill: Estimates of the cost to government of the services envisaged by the comprehensive Children's Bill for the period 2005 to 2010.Report for the national Department of Social Development.Pretoria: Cornerstone Economic Research.Childline (2005) Report on children's rights and child protection management in South Africa, 14 January 2005.Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development, KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature.Children's Act (No 38 of 2005).Children'

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