Government-funded programmes and services for vulnerable children in South Africa

Abstract

This review of government funded programmes for vulnerable children was undertaken as part of a five year study to understand how factors at the household, community, and policy levels interact to affect the wellbeing of children living in conditions jointly burdened by HIV/AIDS and poverty. One of the questions it asks is what affects whether and how families utilise services. The review outlines policies and provisions for vulnerable children and families by all relevant government departments health, education, housing, social development, safety and security, justice and others. For the first time in one place, it sets out the legal and policy framework ensuring the provision of services for vulnerable children, a service map for each department, delivery mechanisms and service providers. This is an invaluable resource for everyone working to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families through the fulfilment of those human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of South Africa. The review was done by Patricia Martin of Advocacy Aid and former Director of the Alliance for Children's Entitlement to Social Security (ACESS). A lawyer by training, Pat is an expert on the socio-economic policies and laws affecting children. The study, called SIZE, The Wellbeing of South African Children, is being undertaken by a team of researchers from the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa and New York University in the United States, in collaboration with colleagues from research, government and civil society, both local and international. Funding for the study has been provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the University of California at Los Angeles.