Cape Town - The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has reported a sharp increase in the number of children in the foster care system.
Figures show that the number of children in foster care surged from 35 610 in March 2021 to 42 322 by November 2024.
These children have been placed in foster care or places of safety due to abuse, neglect, or separation from their families. The festive season often sees a spike in incidents of child separation.
Between 15 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, eight children were separated from their families on Cape beaches but were later reunited with the help of DSD staff.
During the New Year’s weekend of 2022/2023, 11 children were placed in safety facilities after being separated from their families at beaches.
DSD social workers assist municipal officials in reuniting lost children with their families. However, in cases where children cannot be reunited, legal processes are initiated for reunification.
Parents may also be mandated to participate in parenting courses to prevent future incidents.
The DSD, along with Designated Child Protection Organisations (DCPOs), investigates reports of abuse and neglect and ensures the safeguarding of vulnerable children.
The department has taken steps to address the rising numbers, including strengthening child protection systems and revising standard operating procedures for managing alternative care placements.
Technological tools, such as the Social Work Integrated Management System Application (SWIMS App), are now being used to streamline administrative tasks for social workers.
Over 24 000 cases have been loaded onto the app, allowing social workers to focus more on therapeutic interventions for children.
The aim is to have all social workers in the province using this system.
Jaco Londt, the MEC of Social Development, emphasised the importance of community involvement, saying: “The safeguarding of children is not only the government’s responsibility. It is a whole-of-society responsibility, starting with parents, guardians, and caregivers.”
He urged parents to remain vigilant, especially around water bodies during festive activities.
“Drinking at beaches or public swimming pools is not only illegal but can impair judgement and endanger children.
“More importantly, think of the trauma the child goes through during all of this,” Londt added.
The department also offers various support programmes, including counselling, parenting courses, and developmental services, to assist families in safeguarding children and parenting with various organisations such as the USAID which aims to improve services for vulnerable children, including those with HIV, disabilities, and survivors of sexual violence.
The department encourages families to consider becoming emergency, safety, or foster parents to help address the increasing demand for care.
The Identikidz programme, coordinated by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department, has also been recognised as a key festive season safety initiative.
The programme provides identification wristbands for children at participating beaches, ensuring they can be quickly reunited with caregivers if separated.
Last season, 133 730 children were tagged, and 302 were successfully reunited with their families.
The programme will run on key dates between 14 December 2024 and 12 January 2025 at popular beaches such as Camps Bay, Muizenberg, and Strandfontein.
Parents and caregivers are reminded to supervise children at all times and adhere to beach safety rules.
Residents are encouraged to report emergencies by calling the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.