NATIONAL CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION POLICY WORKING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF ALL CHILDREN TO CARE AND PROTECTION 2019 Building a Caring Society. Together www.dsd.gov.za TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD BY THE MINISTER ............................................................................................................. 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 9 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS.................................................................................................. 11 GLOSSARY OF TERMS.................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE POLICY ....................................................... 18 1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 19 1.2 Structure of the Policy ............................................................................................................ 20 1.3 The Importance of the Definition..... ........................................................................................... 20 1.4 Defining Developmental Child Care and Protection.......................................................................20 1.5 Legal Overview .................................................................................................................... 21 1.6 Legal and Sustainable Development Imperatives .......................................................................... 21 1.7 Sustainable Development Imperatives ........................................................................................ 22 1.8 The Evidentiary Imperatives ..................................................................................................... 23 1.9 Risk Factors ......................................................................................................................... 24 1.10 Protective Factors .................................................................................................................. 25 1.11 Policy Implications of the Legal, Developmental and Evidentiary Imperatives....................................... 26 1.12 A Continuum of Care and Protection Services and Support............................................................. 27 1.13 Promotive Enabling Services .................................................................................................... 27 1.14 Prevention and Early Intervention Services .................................................................................. 28 1.15 Responsive Protective Services ................................................................................................. 28 1.16 Essential Features and Outcomes of a Developmental Child Care and Protection Policy ........................ 30 1.17 A Strong Supporting Child Care and Protection System .....................................................................31 1.18 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................................31 CHAPTER 2: THE PURPOSE, MISSION, VISION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY...… ...................... 32 2.1 The Rationale for the Policy ....................................................................................................... 33 2.2 The Purpose, Mission, Vision, Goals and Objectives of the Policy .................................................... 33 2.2.1 Policy Purpose ............................................................................................................. 33 2.2.2 Policy Vision................................................................................................................ 34 2.2.3 Policy Mission.............................................................................................................. 34 2.2.4 Policy Goals ................................................................................................................ 34 2.2.5 Policy Objectives ........................................................................................................... 34 2.3 Policy Principles................................................................................................................... 35 2.4 Policy Approach, Strategy and Priorities .................................................................................. 35 2.5 Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................................36 CHAPTER 3: SITUATIONAL ASSESSMENT............................................................................................. 37 3.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Measures Taken to Effect the Right to Care and Protection .. .......................................................... 38 3.2.1 Legislative Measures ...................................................................................................... 38 3.2.2 Programmatic Measures................................................................................................... 40 3.2.2.1 Universal Promotive Programmes .............................................................................40 3.2.2.2 Prevention and Early Intervention Programmes Targeting Vulnerable Groups .......................40 3.2.2.3 Responsive Protective Services ................................................................................ 41 3.3 Situation of Children.... .......................................................................................................... 41 3.3.1 Demographics and Socio-Economic Status of Children .......................................................... 41 3.3.1.1 Numbers of Children in South Africa ....................................................................... 41 3.3.1.2 Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities .....................................................42 3.3.1.3 Family Structures and Living Arrangements of Children .................................................421 3.3.1.4 Child Poverty..................................................................................................... 42 3.3.1.5 Exposure to Violence, Child abuse, Neglect and Exploitation.......................................... 42 3 3.3.1.6 Vulnerable Age Groups .........................................................................................43 3.3.2 The Positive Impact of Measures to Date .............................................................................. 43 3.3.2.1 Access to Health Care and Health Outcomes ............................................................. 43 3.3.2.2 Access to Basic Services ....................................................................................... 44 3.3.2.3 Access to Birth Registration .....................................................................................44 3.3.2.4 Access to Social Security.......................................................................................44 3.3.2.5 Access to Early Childhood Care and Basic Education............................................... ....44 3.3.2.6 Access to Community-Based Prevention and Early Intervention Programmes .....................44 3.3.2.7 Access to Formal Protective Social Welfare and Child Justice Services .............................45 3.4 Underlying Systemic Gaps and Challenges ..................................................................................48 3.5 Conclusion and Problem Statement ............................................................................................49 CHAPTER 4: BALANCING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND THE STATE ................................................................................................................................... 50 4.1 A Collective Nationwide Duty of Child Care and Protection ............................................................ 51 4.2 A Network of Caregiving Arrangements and their Duty of Care ....................................................... 51 4.3 Parents as Primary Caregivers, their Responsibilities and Rights ......................................................... 52 4.3.1 Biological Parents ........................................................................................................... 52 4.3.1.1 Mothers Under the Age of 18 Years ...................................................................... 53 4.3.1.2 Biological Fathers not Married to, or Living with the Mother at the Time of the Child’s Birth. 53 4.3.1.3 Children Born through Assisted Reproductive Procedures ............................................ 53 4.3.1.3.1 Surrogacy Agreements.......................................................................... 53 4.3.1.3.2 Children Conceived through Artificial Fertilisation ....................................... 54 4.3.2 Termination and Suspension of PRR .................................................................................. 54 4.3.3 Co-holders of PRR ......................................................................................................... 54 4.4 Family Care Arrangements with Non-Biological Parents and Caregivers ............................................