All Child and Youth Care Centres must be registered | Western Cape Government

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All Child and Youth Care Centres must be registered

11 May 2021

All Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) are required to be registered with the provincial Department of Social Development (DSD).

A Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) is a facility that provides a form of alternative care for children outside of the family environment. Children under the age of 18 years old, who are living and working on the streets, are urged to seek accommodation at child and youth care centres that provide specialised programmes and are registered with the provincial DSD

“It is illegal for any facility to provide accommodation to children without being registered.

I wish to urge all members of the public, to check on the registration status of the facility or organisation, offering accommodation for children. By doing this, you can help ensure that children in need of care and protection are placed at a facility where they will be treated with respect and that their human rights are protected,” said the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.

The Children’s Act (38 of 2005) ensures that children that are living on the streets, or are not safe at home or in their communities can be placed in alternative care. This process is coordinated through the Children’s Court. In instances where foster care or placement with extended family is not possible, children are placed in a Child and Youth care Centre. It is ultimately the courts right to determine the best placement for the child according to the investigation and recommendations of the external social worker’s report.

In the Western Cape, there is a total of 53 registered  NPO centres and 8 registered DSD managed CYCCs.

For the 2020/21 financial year, R 429. 24 million has been budgeted towards residential alternative care.

CYCCs already funded by the DSD do not need to submit their contact details as we are aware of their services.

The following facilities need to apply for registration:

  • Children's Homes are for children who are placed by order of the children's court into short term residential care.
  • Temporary Safe Care offers short-term care for both children who have been found in need of care and protection due to abuse, negligence or have been exploited, as well as children who have violated the law and are awaiting trial or an inquiry.

Finding the right accommodation for children:

Consult the list of Child and Youth Care Centres to find the shelter nearest you.

Unregistered child and youth care centres (CYCCs):

Unregistered CYCCs may not comply with the prescribed norms and standards, hence people accessing such services should be aware that they run the risk of placing children in an environment where they may have their rights violated, run the risk of injury, even death. Unregistered CYCCs may not have trained staff, expertise or resources to deal with crises and/or complications associated with children in need of care and protection.

Should anybody have knowledge of illegally operating centres they can inform the Department at marshionette.jonkerman@westerncape.gov.za

For more information on how to get the right help call 0800 220 250,  or visit our local offices at the Department of Social Development or visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development

Media Enquiries: 

Joshua Covenant Chigome

Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez

Tel: 021 483 9217

Cell: 083 661 4949

Email: Joshua.chigome@westerncape.gov.za­