By Rosina Shiko
The Department of Social Development (DSD) is piloting a respite care programme in two provinces to ease the burden on families raising children with disabilities.
Currently operating in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, the programme provides temporary relief to parents and caregivers.
It currently supports 220 children and their families and is intended to help develop a community-based care model that could inform the expansion of respite services.
The announcement comes during Disability Rights Awareness Month, which is being observed under the theme “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society”.
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The department said families caring for children with disabilities often faced additional financial pressures, limited access to specialised services and difficulties obtaining rehabilitation and developmental support.
These responsibilities frequently fall on parents and caregivers who must balance the demands of caring for their children with employment and other family commitments.
The programme is being developed in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is supporting efforts to strengthen community-based services, caregiver training and referral systems.
The department is also working with the departments of Basic Education (DBE) and Health through a JICA-supported joint coordinating committee to improve early identification of children requiring assistance and strengthen coordination between service providers.
The department said the programme complemented existing financial assistance provided through the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
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According to the department, SASSA currently pays 179,609 Care Dependency Grants each month to qualifying caregivers of children who require additional care because of a disability.
But the challenges extend beyond financial assistance, with access to education and specialised developmental services remaining a concern.
The department said improving services required cooperation between government, civil society organisations, healthcare providers and communities, particularly where families faced barriers to accessing information and specialised support.
As the government department responsible for administering key provisions of the Children’s Act, DSD is also tasked with promoting the care, protection and wellbeing of children, including those with disabilities.
It said the experiences of children with disabilities and their families should inform the design of services, alongside input from organisations representing people with disabilities.
The department called for greater cooperation during Disability Rights Awareness Month to ensure that children with disabilities were included in community life and had access to opportunities to develop and reach their potential.
It said caring for children with disabilities was a shared responsibility and families should not be expected to navigate the challenges alone.
