This chapter from the South African Child Gauge 2018 reviews national policies supporting families as well as other services in South Africa that seek to strengthen families and address the needs of vulnerable families in the country. The chapter presents a national policy framework for supporting families, including the guiding principles of family support policies in South Africa and the range of support services available through these policies. The chapter defines those policies designed to provide universal support services to families - including parental leave, early childhood development programs, health and nutrition programs, and workplace support - and those that specifically target at-risk families, including social and housing assistance programs, education fee waivers, programs to support children with disabilities, and more. The chapter also asks "Does the current policy framework meet the developmental imperative?" and explores the strengths and gaps in South African family support policy and services.
