Protecting Vulnerable Children & Supporting Families

At Hermanus Child & Family Services, our primary mission is to protect children and strengthen families. As a Designated Child Protection Organisation (DCPO), we offer a range of services designed to respond to the specific needs of children in crisis and prevent future harm. Our child protection activities are comprehensive and aim to address both the immediate and long-term needs of children and their families.

Our dedicated social work staff are passionate professionals committed to protecting vulnerable children and supporting families in crisis. Through their expertise and compassion, they provide essential services, ensuring the safety, care, and development of those in need.

Here is a detailed list of the child protection services we offer:

1. Child Protection Investigations

• Assessment of Abuse and Neglect:
  Our social workers assess cases of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This includes home visits, interviews, and a thorough investigation to determine the safety and well-being of the child.
• Emergency Interventions:
  In cases where children are at immediate risk, we take swift action to remove them from dangerous environments and place them in a safe setting.

2. Foster Care and Alternate Placement Supervision

• Temporary Safe Care:
  We place children in temporary safety homes while long-term solutions are being explored.
• Foster Care Placement:
  We facilitate foster care placements for children who cannot remain in their family homes due to neglect, abuse, or abandonment.
• Supervision of Foster Care:
  Social workers provide ongoing support and supervision to foster families to ensure the well-being of the child and address any challenges that arise.

3. Family Reunification Services

• Counselling and Support:
  We offer counselling for families and children, aimed at resolving the issues that led to the child’s removal from the home.
• Parental Training:
  Programs designed to strengthen parenting skills, improve family dynamics, and support the reunification process.
• Supervised Family Visits:
  We arrange and monitor visits between children and their biological families in cases where reunification is the goal.

4. Legal and Court Support

• Children’s Court Applications:
  Our social workers facilitate legal proceedings related to child protection, including court orders for placement in alternative care.
• Court Representation:
  We represent children in court, advocating for their best interests during legal processes.

5. Preventative Programmes

• Awareness Campaigns:
  We run child protection and abuse prevention awareness campaigns in the community to educate families and caregivers on how to keep children safe.
• Parental Guidance Programs:
  Offering education and training for parents and caregivers on child development, positive discipline, and the dangers of neglect and abuse.
• Early Intervention:
  Identifying at-risk families and providing them with resources and support to prevent the escalation of problems that could lead to child protection issues

6. Crisis Intervention and Trauma Support

• Psychosocial Support:
  We offer trauma-informed therapy and play therapy for children who have experienced neglect, abuse, or other traumatic events.

7. Monitoring and Follow-Up

• Ongoing Monitoring:
  We conduct regular follow-ups with children in foster care, alternate placements, or reunified families to ensure their ongoing safety and development.
• Supportive Supervision:
  Continuous oversight by qualified social workers to ensure that all placements, interventions, and care plans are effectively managed.

These comprehensive services allow HCFS to not only respond to immediate child protection needs but also to take proactive steps in building stronger, healthier families and communities. We strive to create a safe, nurturing environment for every child in our care.