Child Abuse Research in South Africa - An assessment of the accomplishments of selected child and youth care centres in providing care and protection of children in Soweto, South Africa

Pius T. Tanga and Leonard M. Agere - South African Society on the Abuse of Children (SAPSAC)

Abstract

The paper articulates accomplishments of child and youth care centres in providing care and support to children identified to be at risk of significant harm. The study was grounded in the qualitative approach and a case study was employed as the research design. The study used semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions as means of gathering data. The dominant narratives from the study were that Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) are vehicles offering holistic services to children found in need of care and protection, providing care to vulnerable children with nurturing intent and assume therapeutic roles instrumental in repairing trauma prior to placement. However, CYCCs have faced pertinent hurdles that have compromised the quality of care to vulnerable children. The challenges include funding, incapacitation to facilitate developmental needs of children, and the inability to use more programmes to nurture children. The article recommends an overhaul of the policy on financial rewards.