DSD services provide hope for vulnerable children and their families

With Child Protection Week commencing on Sunday, 19 May, this year, the Western Cape Department of Social Development wishes to emphasise its commitment to ensuring that children in need of care and protection are safe and unharmed, through the provision of prevention, early intervention, statutory, reunification, and aftercare services.

In the past year, 3489 children were placed in foster care. This means the Department has been able to arrange safety and foster placements for over 40 000 vulnerable children.

But after a child has been placed in a place of safety, there is always a chance that they can be reunified with their biological parents.

The Department has a range of support services for parents and guardians of vulnerable children, to assist in the reunification of families. DSD offers family preservation services that consist of family counselling, fatherhood programmes, couple and marriage counselling, and family therapy.

“We believe that healthy societies are built on healthy families, thus it is important to work on strengthening the family unit. Parents and guardians need to take responsibility for the positive development of their children. The Department can assist those who wish to be better carers for their children,” said Provincial Minister of Social Development Sharna Fernandez.

On Friday, 17 May 2024, Minister Fernandez met with a DSD client who was recently reunified with her children.

15-year old Sarah* has been in places of safety since she was 4 years old due to substance abuse and neglect in her home, as well as her three siblings. Sarah received therapy in a DSD place of safety after a traumatic incident in 2021. This incident triggered her mother Lucy* to reach out to DSD for help. A social worker got Lucy into an outpatient substance abuse programme and provided her with parenting skills training. Lucy succeeded in the programme and was able to find work. She has since been reunified with her four children.

Lucy told Minister Fernandez that DSD Foster Care Social Worker Chantal Solomons has been an immense help in offering her and her children support.

“Three years ago I decided to change my life because I was at my lowest. I knew I had to do it for my kids. Chantal has been there for me emotionally, at any time I need her. Whenever I have a problem, I call her and she listens and helps me. When I was first reunited with my children, it wasn’t easy. It was like I had to learn everything again. But my relationship with them is better than ever, and I was able to stay on this path for them,” Sarah told Minister Fernandez.

“This story is just one of many stories of hope that is the result of committed DSD officials working with willing clients who want to change their lives for the better and for their loved ones. It is easy to lose hope if you find yourself in a dark place where your child is removed from your care. But Lucy showed resilience and a deep love for her children, working extremely hard to be the best parent she could be. I encourage parents and guardians to utilise the support services and opportunities provided by the Western Cape Government if you are battling with challenges” added Minister Fernandez.

If you are a child or a parent who needs our help, or you’d like information on becoming a foster or safety parent, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/children-and-families-programme

*Not their real names