Shelters for street children

DESCRIPTION:

Children under the age of 18 years who run away or are kicked out of their homes are urged to seek accommodation at any of the street children's shelters registered with the provincial Department of Social Development.

Shelters, homes and places of safety
Social workers and street children
Focus on reunification
Location of shelters for street children

1. SHELTERS, HOMES AND PLACES OF SAFETY

Short-term accommodation for children in need falls into three categories: shelters, homes and places of safety.

Shelters are for children who find themselves on the street after running away from a bad situation at home or being kicked out of home.

Children's homes are for children who have been removed from their family homes because they were being abused, neglected or exploited.

Places of Safety offer short-term care for both children who have been abused, neglected or exploited as well as children who have violated the law and are awaiting trial or an inquiry.

2. SOCIAL WORKERS AND STREET CHILDREN

All children who seek accommodation at a shelter are assessed by a social worker. The social worker will then draw up an individual development plan.

3. FOCUS ON REUNIFICATION

After assessing the child's situation, the social worker will assess whether the child is a suitable candidate for reunification with his or her family of origin, or at least his or her community of origin. If the home situation seems too dangerous, the social worker may consider recommending that the child be taken into foster care.

INSTRUCTIONS:

4. LOCATION OF SHELTERS FOR STREET CHILDREN

Consult the list of Shelters for Street Children to find the shelter nearest you.

PROVIDED AT:

These facility categories:

Shelters for Street Children

PROVIDED BY:

GOVERNMENT BODY:	Department of Social Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)

GOVERNMENT BODY:

Department of Social Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape)

The content on this page was last updated on 22 March 2007

Cape Gateway is a government service aimed primarily at citizens of the Western Cape, providing information on local, provincial and national government