{"id":54812,"date":"2022-06-03T10:29:36","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T08:29:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/caring-for-the-most-vulnerable-20220601\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:03:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:03:21","slug":"caring-for-the-most-vulnerable-20220601","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/tygerburger\/caring-for-the-most-vulnerable-20220601\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring for the most vulnerable"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An estimated one fifth of South Africa\u2019s children are orphaned and close to 65% live in low-income households, according to the South African Human Rights\u2019 Commission (SAHRC). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides food insecurity and a struggle to access education and basic services such as water and sanitation, many children are also exposed to high levels of violence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week (29 May to 5 June) marks Child Protection Week with a focus on the rights of children (legally under age 18) as set out in the Constitution and the Children\u2019s Act. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the basic children\u2019s rights as entrenched in the Constitution (Section 28, Bill of Rights) are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a name and a nationality from birth; family or parental care, or appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment; basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care and social services; and to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation and exploitative labour practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locally, Badisa Kuils River renders child protection services in the Kuils River area only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jevon Barry, social auxillary worker at Badisa Kuils River, says they believe a child\u2019s immediate or extended family is normally the best place for them to flourish and develop. \u201cBut if there is reason to believe a child is unsafe in their own home, we will remove them and place them in temporary safe care.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry says there are currently around 500 children in some form of temporary or foster care in the larger Kuils River area. \u201cWe have a huge need for more safety or foster parents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explains they prefer to place children locally as provision will be made to keep some contact between a child and their biological parent(s) if circumstances allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have a passion to help children and are interested in partnering with Badisa Kuils River by opening up your home to care for and safeguard vulnerable children, you can volunteer to become a safety parent,\u201d says Barry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A safety parent can take temporary care of no more than six children, with a possible exception where children are siblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry explains temporary safe care is an extraordinary measure that can be used by a designated social worker or police official where they believe, on reasonable grounds, that the child is in immediate danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will send a designated social worker or police officer to remove the child from their home if there\u2019s evidence that the child is being abused, neglected or exploited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The child will then be placed in temporary safe care, where they will stay pending the outcome of a formal court process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temporary safe care can be provided either by an approved person\u2009\u2013related or unrelated\u2009\u2013 or an approved place of safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prospective safety parents must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n