Social Development

(a)       The following programmes are currently implemented across the province:

•       365 Days of Child Protection and Child Protection Week: Ongoing public awareness and advocacy campaigns throughout the year, with intensified focus during designated periods.

•       Prevention and Early Intervention Programmes: Targeted services to identify and support vulnerable children and families at an early stage.

•       Life Skills Programmes: Delivered in schools and communities, these focus on building children’s resilience and awareness to protect themselves from abuse and trafficking.

•       Child Abuse Prevention Programmes: Community and school-based initiatives that inform children, parents, and educators about recognising and preventing abuse.

•       Parenting Skills Development and Parent Education Programmes: These provide parents and caregivers with effective parenting techniques to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect.

•       Reporting Mechanisms: The reporting of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking is guided by Section 110 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which places a mandatory duty on certain professionals and community members to report suspected cases. Compliance is reinforced through training and public education. This is includes use of the form 22 system – Reporting Suspected Child Abuse: The Department utilizes Form 22 as prescribed under the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 for the reporting of suspected cases of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Reports are received and acted upon by designated social workers.

•       Core Package of Services Model: The Department implements the Core Package of Services Model which guides service delivery at local level to ensure consistency in child protection interventions across the province.

•       Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): The Department has developed and implements relevant SOPs to guide uniform responses to child protection cases across districts.

•       Assessments of Children at Risk: Professional assessments are conducted to ensure the early identification and protection of vulnerable children. Social workers conduct assessments and investigations into cases of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and trafficking. Based on the findings, appropriate interventions, including removals and court actions, are initiated. Safety and Risk Assessment Tools are used for this purpose: Trained social workers apply standardised Safety and Risk Assessment Tools to assess the level of risk in reported cases. Where necessary, children are removed from harmful environments in accordance with legislative procedures.

•       Permanency Planning and Individual Development Plans (IDPs): Each child in alternative care receives a Permanency Plan and an IDP, developed in collaboration with caregivers and relevant stakeholders to ensure long-term stability and care.

•       Child Protection Forums: Provincial and Regional Child Protection Forums convene regularly to coordinate child protection responses and share best practices. These forums address a range of matters, including policy alignment, intersectoral cooperation, and case trends.

•       Western Cape Trafficking Task Team: The Western Cape Trafficking Task Team, coordinated by the Department, brings together law enforcement, NGOs, and relevant departments to address child trafficking through joint operations, information sharing, and case coordination.

•       Training for Social Service Practitioners: Ongoing training is provided on how to identify, support, and assist trafficked children.

•       Eye on the Child Programme and Eye on the Community Project: Community-driven initiatives that promote vigilance and reporting.

•       Community and Stakeholder Awareness Sessions: Regular sessions build community capacity and strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration.

•       Behaviour Modification Programmes: Initiatives that address behavioural challenges within families to reduce risks to children’s safety.

(b) The province’s interventions are guided by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Social Service Practitioners are trained and equipped to provide prevention, early intervention, statutory services, and rehabilitation support to affected children and families.

(c) (i) The effectiveness of these programmes is monitored through regular reporting by the Department of Social Development (quarterly progress reports). These reports track interventions, rehabilitation and reintegration services provided to affected children. The Western Cape Department of Social Development aims to continuously strengthening these measures, working closely with communities, civil society, and law enforcement to safeguard every child in the province.

(ii) and (iii)Prosecution of perpetrators:  data lies with the NPA/SAPS