Services to Families Programme

Overall focus

The Care and Services to Families Sub-Programme aims to strengthen family functioning, resilience and parenting capacity, while preventing and reducing vulnerability and risks affecting children, individuals and families.

The Department of Social Development partners with funded Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to provide community-based prevention, early intervention, developmental, psychosocial, HIV and shelter services in accordance with applicable legislation, policies, norms and standards.

1. Family Preservation Services

Family Preservation Services strengthen family functioning, relationships and parenting capacity, and address risks that may result in statutory intervention or the removal of children from their families.

Services may include:

• Family, marriage and couple counselling;
• Family Group Conferencing;
• Psychosocial support for families experiencing crisis or vulnerability;
• Parenting support and skills development;
• Assistance with parenting plans and referrals; and
• Referrals to specialized services where required.

2. Developmental Support Programmes

Developmental Support Programmes provide structured, preventative interventions to strengthen parenting capacity, family relationships and protective factors.

Programmes may include:

• Marriage preparation and enrichment;
• Mediation referrals, where appropriate;
• Parenting programmes, including programmes for first-time parents;
• Fatherhood intervention programmes;
• Teenage parenting support;
• Support programmes for parents of teenagers; and
• Evidence-based programmes such as the Sinovuyo Teen Parenting Programme.

Programmes are implemented in accordance with approved programme requirements and promote positive parenting and healthy parent-child relationships.

3. Shelter Services for Homeless Adults

Funded shelters provide temporary accommodation, care, psychosocial support and developmental services to homeless adults, supporting pathways towards family reunification, rehabilitation, reintegration and improved social functioning.

Core services include:

• Admission, assessment and individual development planning;
• Safe temporary accommodation and basic care;
• Therapeutic and psychosocial support;
• Life skills and developmental programmes;
• Behaviour-change interventions;
• Family reunification and restoration of relationships, where appropriate;
• Reintegration and resettlement support;
• Referrals to health, rehabilitation, substance-use and other specialized services; and
• Assistance to access relevant social and community services.

Services are provided in accordance with applicable legislation, departmental requirements, norms and standards.

4. RISIHA Programme and Registered Drop-in Centres

The Department partners with NPOs operating registered Drop-in Centres (DICs) to implement the RISIHA Programme in accordance with the Children's Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005), and applicable policies, norms and standards.

RISIHA is a prevention and early intervention programme that promotes resilience, holistic child development and the well-being of vulnerable children through a structured, developmental approach.

Services may include:

• Childcare and protection;
• Psychosocial support;
• HIV and AIDS services;
• Health promotion;
• Food and nutrition;
• Economic strengthening; and
• Educational support.

DICs also provide assessment, individualised intervention planning, referrals, family and community support, and collaboration with relevant service providers.

5. HIV Care and Support Services

HIV Care and Support Services provide person-centred interventions to reduce the social and economic impact of HIV and promote psychosocial well-being, treatment adherence and access to care.

Services may include:

• HIV Testing Services (HTS), including support with testing, disclosure and treatment adherence;
• Psychosocial support and counselling;
• Treatment adherence support;
• Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) programmes to reduce HIV-related risk and vulnerability;
• Sexual and reproductive health and well-being interventions; and
• Referrals to appropriate health, social and community-based services.

Services are aligned with the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs and applicable national and provincial policy frameworks and guidelines.

Funding preference may, in accordance with identified provincial priorities and areas of greatest need, be given to services in the Cape Metro District, which has been identified as a priority area based on the provincial HIV burden.

Those who are interested in accessing these programmes can visit their nearest DSD office. A social worker will conduct an assessment and based on the outcome, will do the appropriate referral or provide further interventions for the individual and/ or their family.