The Department of Social Development is calling for stronger partnerships across government and communities to improve access to care and support services for children with disabilities and ease the burden on parents and caregivers.
The call comes as the country observes Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), with the department highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure that children with disabilities receive appropriate care, protection and opportunities to participate fully in society.
One of the department’s key interventions is its respite care programme, which provides temporary relief to parents and caregivers while ensuring that children continue to receive appropriate care, stimulation, protection and developmental support.
The programme is currently being piloted in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, reaching 220 children and their families.
According to the department, the initiative recognises that caregivers also need support, particularly those who balance the demands of caring for children with disabilities with employment and other family responsibilities.
“Having time to rest and attend to other responsibilities is important for those who provide ongoing care to children with disabilities,” the department said.
Through its partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the department is also working to strengthen community-based respite care services, including caregiver training and improved referral arrangements.
The programme complements the Care Dependency Grant administered by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for qualifying caregivers of children who require additional care because of a disability.
SASSA currently pays 179,609 Care Dependency Grants monthly, helping families meet some of the additional costs associated with caring for children with disabilities.
The department said the support needs of these children extend beyond education, with some requiring assistance with everyday activities, rehabilitation, developmental support and specialised care.
The scale of the need is also reflected in the United Nations Children’s Fund Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in South Africa (2024), which found that only 8,641 children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities were receiving support in special care centres in 2022.
To improve access to services, the department is working with the Departments of Basic Education and Health through a joint coordinating committee supported by JICA.
The collaboration focuses on early identification, referrals, and improved service coordination to help families access the support they need.
As custodian of the Children’s Act, the Department of Social Development is responsible for promoting and protecting the rights and wellbeing of all children, including those with disabilities.
Guided by this year’s DRAM theme, “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society”, the department is emphasising the importance of placing children and their families at the centre of service delivery.
It also stressed that the experiences of children with disabilities, their families and organisations representing people with disabilities should inform the development of programmes and services.
“Their care and development are a shared responsibility, and families should not have to navigate this journey alone,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.
