Page 33 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

• The Children’s Amendment Bill that was intro-
antenatal period plays in the early development of
The Social Development Sector delivers its services in an
account the realities brought by Covid-19 and revised the
the child from birth onwards. The Policy on Linking
duced in Parliament and also presented to the
environment marked by high levels of poverty,
modalities of delivery of services. A number of initially
Children Grants Beneficiaries will integrate social
Portfolio Committee on Social Development. The
consultations,
planned
unemployment and inequality. Like in many other
that
initiatives
involved
welfare services, education, and health within the
Bill aims to strengthen the current childcare and
countries, these persistent challenges of poverty,
workshops, training sessions as well as other capacity
cash transfer context, through improved access and
protection system, to address court orders and
inequality and other social ills were compounded by the
building initiatives, which required either traveling to
cooperation, alongside economic support.
provide the necessary legislative reform to
various provinces or face to face engagements could not
outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic during the reporting
respond to challenges affecting children. The
• The Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security
be implemented under Lockdown levels 4 and 5. The APP
period. The subsequent pronouncement of nationwide
Department also finalised the Draft regulations to
Reforms makes proposals for the complete overhaul
was re-tabled in Parliament, submitted and presented to
lockdown in March 2020 impacted negatively on the
give effect to this process and to prepare for
of the current social security system to create a
service delivery environment and meant that some of the
the meeting of the Portfolio Committee held in July 2020.
effective implementation of the Children’s
social security system that covers everyone in the
Departmental services which would ordinarily be
Comprehensive Social Security
Amendment Bill. The regulations will provide
country, ensuring that those who are unable to
delivered physically had to be suspended until
procedures and guidelines that dictate how the
support themselves are provided with social grants,
alternatives means were in place to ensure compliance to
while those in both formal and informal
provisions of the Amendment Act will be applied.
Covid-19 regulations.
The Department continued to expand access to social
employment are provided with an institutional
• The development and finalization of the Frame-
security through monthly transfer of funds to the South
work for ECD Quality Assurance as well as ECD
platform to make mandatory and voluntary
Institutional arrangements
African Social Security Agency (SASSA) for the provision
contributions to cover themselves and their families
Service Delivery Model.The ECD Service Delivery
of social grants to eligible beneficiaries.

in the event of their retirement, death or disability.
Model and the Quality Assurance and Support
The Department moved swiftly in developing strategic
System will provide a different perspective in the
and innovative response measures to protect the lives of
DSD continued to oversee the management and
In addition, the following legislation were processed:
implementation of ECD services. This include the
the people and to ensure that the gains to improve
administration of social grants by SASSA, and remained
quality of services that need to be taken into
accountable for the R220,6 billion disbursed for the
quality of life are not washed away. Among others, the
• The regulations for the Social Assistance
consideration and the support that will be provid-
payment of social grants. Additional funding was
Department suspended visitations, release of clients and
ed to service providers to improve the quality of
Amendment Act, 2010 (Act No.5 of 2010) which
family reunification and interaction programmes in most
allocated to the Department during the special and
was assented by the President in December 2020,
services in their programmes.
of its facilities. Other programmes and services had to be
normal adjusted estimates for the top-up grant and
were published for public comments and updated
• Development of the Guidelines and Standard
special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of
delivered telephonically, online or through virtual
based on the comments received. When
Operating Procedures to guide ECD services in
R350. This required close collaboration between the
platforms to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. These
complying with the COVID -19 regulations. The
implemented, these regulations will provide for
disruptions required and resulted in a significant shift in
Department and SASSA in analysing expenditure trends
improved administrative processes within SASSA
and financial compliance to ensure that appropriated
Guidelines were used as part of facilitating the
the organisational and service delivery environment.
re-opening of the ECD programmes. This also led
to improve the quality of service to grant
funds are spent in line with the Department’s mandate.
beneficiaries and allow appellants direct access to
to the infrastructure component of the ECD
In order to enable service continuity during lockdown, the
conditional grant being re-purposed to support
The Department continued to formulate policies and
the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance
Department established a National Inter-Departmental
legislative proposals for contributory income support
ECD services with Personal Protective Equipment
Appeals.
Covid-19 Social Development Response Team (named
aimed at protecting household against life cycle risks
• The President also signed the proclamation of
(PPEs) for them to comply and be able to re-open.
Situation Room) to co-ordinate and enhance the Social
• The Department reviewed the White Paper on
Chapter 4 of the amended Social Assistance Act,
such as unemployment, ill health, retirement, and
Development Sector‘s response to the Covid-19
thereby facilitating the establishment of the
paper
The
Families.
will
disability and the death of a breadwinner.
to
contribute
pandemic and to promote the wellbeing of the citizens,
Social
Inspectorate
for
Assistance.
The
strengthening of families in South Africa with a
the protection of staff in the sector and to coordinate any
These policy reforms are intended to create a social
focus on addressing the behaviours and attitudes
Inspectorate is charged with promoting the
other related matters. A number of technical work
of men towards their female counterparts.
security system that covers everyone in the country,
integrity of the social assistance frameworks, by
streams which included the Workplace and Employee
ensuring that those who are unable to support
• The development of the White Paper for Social
ensuring that SASSA adheres to all the policies
Wellness, Business Continuity (Service Delivery), Social
themselves are provided with social grants, while those
and legislation related to the provision of social
Development. The paper will culminate into the
Grants Payment, Finance and Procurement, Monitoring,
in both formal and informal employment are provided
development of a Social Development Act, which
grants. The Department will work with the
Evaluation and Learning (MERL), Communications, Social
Department of Public Service and Administration
is envisaged to reposition the Social Development
with an institutional platform to make mandatory and
Security as well as Provincial Coordination were
to facilitate the operationalisation of the
voluntary contributions to cover themselves and their
Sector towards achieving the developmental
established to provide technical support the Situation
agenda. In preparation for the effective
families against these life cycle risks.
Inspectorate.
Room.
• The Fund Raising Amendment Bill was tabled in
implementation of the White Paper, the
In pursuit of this, the Department developed the following
Department developed a draft implementation
Parliament. The amendments are intended to
The Situation Room developed and reviewed the Sector’s
policies:
address the fragmentation and inefficiency that
plan. The Plan provides for the implementation of
COVID -19 response action and risk plan and coordinated
currently exists in the process of responding to
the White Paper by departments of social
the collaboration of the DSD sector responses to the
disasters in the country. The current legislation
development in all spheres of government, other
• A draft policy proposal for the Basic Income Grant.
pandemic. The technical teams assisted in identifying
The policy proposal focusses primarily on the
government departments with responsibility for
provides for multiple funds to address very
gaps and assessing the effectiveness of the country’s
provision of income support to unemployed working
of
social
delivery
narrow categories of disasters. The objective of
the
welfare
measures against the pandemic as it relates to the DSD
the Bill is to consolidate all relief funds into a
age individuals between 18 and 59 years, who
non-governmental
and
organisations
sector and compiled regular reports to various structures
community-based organisations.
currently do not have access to social assistance.
single fund with a single Board to enhance
such as NATJOINTS and Parliament on the DSD sector
• Two inter-related policy reports, one on Maternal
• The Department finalised the Older Persons
responsiveness and efficiency.
response to the pandemic. This enabled service
Amendment Bill, 2020. The Bill is aimed at tight-
Benefits and the other on Policy Options for the
continuity during various nationwide lockdown levels
Welfare Services
Linking of Child Support Grant Beneficiaries to other
ening the gaps in the Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act
and mitigated the impact of the pandemic on service
No. 13 of 2006) to ensure protection of older
government services were costed. The Maternal
delivery.
persons. The Bill was approved to be presented to
Benefits Policy work is motivated by a recognition
The Department continued to strengthen social welfare
of the importance of the first 1000 days in a child’s
service delivery through legislative and policy reforms.
Cabinet for approval to be introduced to Parlia-
Furthermore, the Department, as guided by DPME, had to
life, and the role that poverty and deprivation in the
These reforms include among others,
revise its Annual Performance Plan (APP) to take into
way that enables them to participate in socio-economic
registered, these were made up of 799 national
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre. In
ment.
adoptions
adoptions.
and
addition to responding to cases of GBV, the
50
intercountry
• The development and finalisation of the Policy on
opportunities within communities.
Command Centre provided psychosocial support and
Furthermore, a total of 166 adoption service
The National Community Development Policy was also
the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance
providers were accredited, this number includes 128
trauma counselling to those impacted by Covid-19
Use Disorders. The Policy will address the impact
finalised. The Policy aims to provide leadership and
Child Protection Organisations and 38 Social
pandemic. The centre was also relocated to new and
of alcohol and substance abuse to families,
guidance on the implementation of community
Workers in private practice.
spacious premises, allowing for more Social Workers
communities and society. The development of the
development in the country (including by other
• The Department conducted capacity building
per shift and to comply with the regulations relating
government departments). The policy also intends to give
Policy form part of the process to review the
workshops on psychosocial support services in
to the current pandemic of Covid-19. This enabled
guidance on the coordination and integration of
Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces
the Department to reach out to more beneficiaries.
community development interventions at community
Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008). The Act focuses on
in partnership with Pact SA, reaching a total of 204
up
treatment
prevention,
level by multiple role-players involved in community
and
scaling
Social Service Practitioners. The Guidelines ensure
development. The Department also finalised the
rehabilitation strategies to address the scourge of
Community Development
early identification of Orphans, Vulnerable Children
and Youth (OVCY) at higher risk of contracting HIV.
Community Mobilisation and Empowerment Framework.
alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
The provision of psychosocial support services is
The Framework focuses on the community mobilisation
• The Department is finalising the Victim Support
DSD continued with the implementation of food and
provided with an emphasis on disclosure and
Services (VSS) Bill and the Policy. The Bill seeks to
processes to be followed when conducting community
nutrition security programme, contributing to the goal of
adherence. Furthermore, the Guidelines advocate for
dialogues, household and community profiling. The
address the gaps identified in all the existing
improving access to diverse and affordable food. The
routine HIV risk assessment and referral to
development of the framework is part of government
victim empowerment legislation including the
Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the plight of the poor
appropriate health-testing services and promotes
effort of building an active citizenry.
challenges in the provision of sheltering services.
and vulnerable against hunger and poverty. The
the national Cheka Impilo Wellness Campaign. The
The draft VSS Bill was published in the
Department worked hard to transform the provision of
campaign encourages citizen to know their HIV
Government Gazette for public comments.
The Department registers and monitors Non-Profit
food and nutrition security services from a normal chronic
status in order to access treatment. The intervention
Organisation in terms of the Non-Profit Organisation Act,
• Finalisation of the Social Service Practitioners
food insecurity environment to a more responsive food
of trained SSPs also contributes to the UNAIDS
Draft Bill. The draft Bill was approved by Cabinet
1997 (Act No 71 of 1997). There was an increase in
emergency system that deals with transitory hunger
95-95-95 strategy, which encourages 95% of people
in the 2019/20 financial year, and subsequently
demand for NPO registration during the reporting period.
with HIV to test, of those tested, 95% to be on
posed by the lockdown and the loss of livelihoods in
In this regard, a total of 22 685 applications for NPO
treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to be
gazetted for public comments. The public
many households. Food emergency response was
virally suppressed.
comments were used to redraft the Bill and it was
registration were received, 13 621 were processed and 12
provided in the form of food parcels, take home rations as
• The Minister launched the National Drug Master Plan
subsequently submitted to the Office of the Chief
551 (55%) of those were processed within two months.
well as food vouchers. A total of 10 006 423 people
(2019-2024) as per of the commemoration of the
State Law Advisor (OCSLA). The Bill will be
The Department is mandated with the responsibility of
accessed food through DSD support. About R66 million
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
submitted to Cabinet in the new financial year.
ensuring that NPO reports are processed and verified in
worth of food donations were distributed through the
Trafficking. A total of seven provincial Substance
and
finalisation
of
•
a
The
Development
line with the requirements of Sections 17 and 18 of the
provinces during the reporting period. This was made
Abuse Forums in Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS),
Care
and
comprehensive
Covid-19
Child
NPO Act. The submission of reports by NPOs promotes
possible by organisations such as the Church of Jesus
Gauteng (GP), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Mpumalanga
accountability, good governance and improves public
Protection Sector Response Plan through the
Christ of the Latter Days Saints, The Solidarity Fund, Old
(MP), North West (NW), and Western Cape (WC) were
confidence in NPOs. In this regard, a total of 29 780 NPO
National Child Care and Protection Forum
Mutual, The Spar Group, Khula Milling, South African
capacitated on the National Drug Master Plan 2019
(NCCPF) in response to the outbreak of Covid-19.
reports were received, with 18 805 processed and 17 950
Sugar Association and many other individuals and
– 2024.
(60.3%) of the received reports processed within two
The Plan will guide service provision throught the
• The Department implemented the Universal
organisation who donated food and food vouchers to
months.
Covid-19 national state of disaster period.
Treatment Curriculum (UTC) in three public
support humanity during this time.
treatment centers namely, Nkangala Treatment
Centre in Mpumalanga, Northern Cape Substance
The Department continue to lead the coordination of the
Governance and Institutional Development
Dependency Treatment in Northern Cape (NC) and
The Department further implemented several
EPWP for the Social Sector, which comprises of the
Newlands Park Treatment Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
interventions to strengthen delivery of welfare services.
departments of Health, Education, Social Development,
Maintaining sound organisational and business practice
The UTC aims to increase skills, knowledge and
Among these were the following:
Community Safety, and Sports and Recreation in South
is an integral part of promoting accountability and
capacity of cadres working in the field of substance
Africa. These departments contributed to the Expanded
efficiency in the Department. As a result, the Department
abuse; particularly treatment, care and support. The
• The Department launched the Vangasali Campaign
Public Works programme (EPWP) by providing temporary
continues to implement a number of initiatives towards
of
implementation
UTC
has
programme
aimed at “Finding every ECD”. This Campaign
work opportunities to the marginalised and poor sectors
strengthened the provision of evidence-based
maintaining the highest standards of governance in the
contributes towards the NDP target of providing
treatment modalities and application of treatment
of the community. The Social Sector created 179 204
management of public finances and resources. Some of
universal access to ECD services as it promotes the
tools for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in relation
which
opportunities
work
to
103%
translates
registration of ECD centers and ensuring that
these initiatives are discussed below.
to treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and
achievement against its set target of 174 204. Of these
children in these centers are supported and provided
support.
with quality programmes. Through this campaign, a
work opportunities, 39 437 were created through DSD
Audits: Audits were conducted in accordance with the
• The Department monitored the implementation of
total 52 000 ECD services were registered on the
programmes. The sector is still experiencing a challenge
standards and requirements of the Institute of Internal
the DSD Anti-Gangsterism Strategy in six provinces
Vangasali databases.
in achieving both youth and persons with disabilities
Auditors and the Department’s Audit Charter. The reports
namely Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal,
• The Department conducted capacity building on the
targets. This is an area that requires close monitoring of
detailing the audit findings and action plans to respond
Mpumalanga.
Gauteng
Western
and
Cape,
Adoption Policy Framework and Strategy, Guidelines
the recruitment and selection of participants by
to such findings were submitted to the Audit Committee
Monitoring reports on the implementation of the
and Training manual and the Register of Adoptable
participating programmes in the sector.
and the Department’s top management, who took the
Strategy in Secure Care Facilities were submitted by
Children and Prospective Adoptive Parents (RACAP).
the provinces. The key areas monitored included all
necessary corrective action to address identified
In this regard, a total of 432 Social Workers in eight
The DSD Youth Development Policy was finalised and
Facilities that are to put in place systems and
deficiencies. Progress on the Audit Action Plans were also
provinces, except Mpumalanga were capacitated on
techniques to prevent gangsterism and uphold the
costed. The policy was developed in alignment with the
both the Framework and the Strategy. The trained
presented to oversight bodies such as the Portfolio
welfare and safety of children already in the
National Youth Policy developed by the Department of
Social Workers were empowered and will be able to
Committee on Social Development in Parliament.
facilities from those who come with gang influences.
provide adoption services as required by the
Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD).
Risk and Ethics Management: The Department has a
• The Department continued to operate its
Legislation. A total of 849 adoptions were
The DSD Youth Policy focuses on the enhancement of
functional Risk and Ethics Management Committee
capabilities and development of aspirations for youth in a
PART B: PERFORMANCE INFORMATION services,
4 SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
(REMC), which meets on a quarterly basis to review the and ensures a collective focus on service delivery.
progress that the Department is making in addressing its Standard Operating Procedures for all departmental Main services and standards
risks, to provide strategic direction and overall advice to support functions: The Department is also developing Main services Beneficiaries Current/actual Desired standard Actual
the Accounting Officer on risk management. Quarterly and reviewing all existing Standard Operating Procedures standard of service of service achievement
risk management reports are produced, discussed at the (SOPs) for support services functions to improve service Provision of Help All DSD beneficiaries. To ensure that all To ensure that all The Department is
committee meetings and submitted to all relevant delivery. The SOPs provide details on the requirements Desk support However, the main beneficiaries seeking beneficiaries seeking able to respond to
stakeholders. and turn-around timelines for procurement of services as services to the outreach programmes DSD services or DSD services or clients who require
well as development and submission of compliance Department delivered in the past making complaints making complaints assistance during
Programme Performance Reporting and Performance reports. Improved compliance will result in improved Outreach financial year were are assisted within 21 are assisted within 7 an Outreach
Reviews: The management of programme performance performance. programmes related to the PPE ECD days from the date of days from the date a programme within
information and generation of quarterly and annual Outreach Programme the Outreach requestor complaint an average period
performance reports on predetermined objectives has Alignment of individual performance agreements to in all provinces and programme has been lodged. of 21 days.
been institutionalised. These reports are submitted to the institutional plans: The Performance Agreements of all were delivered by the
Executive Authority, the National Treasury, DPME and the Senior Managers are being intrinsically linked to the Department through
Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) as well as specific targets in the Annual Performance Plan and the Office of the
presented to Portfolio Committee on Social Development operational plans of the Department. This alignment will Deputy Minister
on a regular basis. The Department has also improve the management of performance at institutional
institutionalized Programme Performance Reviews at and individual level in line with the directive issued by
branch and departmental level. The performance reviews the Minister of Public Service and Administration on the Batho-Pele arrangements with beneficiaries (Consultation, access, etc.)
provide early warning system and identify barriers Performance Management and Developments System for
towards the achievement of set targets. The reviews the members of Senior Management Services (SMS), Current/actual arrangements Desired arrangements Actual achievements
allow managers to identify and implement measures to which came in to effect from 1 April 2018.
ensure that the Department achieves all set targets. DSD Outreach Programmes An integrated DSD Contact Centre A functional and staffed DSD
Directive on implementation of preventative controls: service to ensure effective redress complaints help desk and
Planning: The Department has improved on its planning The Department issued a directive to all its Senior DSD Complaints Helpdesk for the Departments clients. outreach support unit in the
processes. Among others, the start of the annual planning Managers to implement Preventative Control Guides Customer Care Directorate.
has been shifted back by two months to ensure (PCG). These are guides developed by the Auditor-General
development of quality plans takes place ahead of time. of South Africa advising management on how to enhance
During development of its plans, particularly the APP, the the current financial management systems to utilise
indicators and targets are subjected to SMART (Specific, public resources effectively, efficiently and economically, Service delivery information tool
Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time bound) principles and consequently receive positive audit outcome. These
to ensure that all commitments in the APP are achievable. PCG cover issues related to Control Environment, Risk Current/actual information tools Desired arrangements Actual achievements
Risks as well as mitigation strategies are identified for all Assessment, Control Activities, Information and
measurable outputs to ensure that if such risks arise, the Communication, and Monitoring components, which are DSD information brochures Digitised information platforms Use of social media platforms
impact on the delivery of services is minimal. Through its applicable in promoting a sound financial management delivered during the Outreach such as Twitter and Facebook
planning processes, the Department identified a need to system as well as non-financial management controls as Programme
develop the Support Services APP (SSAPP). The SSAPP well as the efficient utilisation of resources. DSD information brochures
elaborates how support services functions within the DSD Customer Service Charter
Department enables and enhances the internal Various communications Multimedia solutions delivered
operational environment for improved efficiencies. The mechanisms of the Department through GCIS.
SSAPP brings core and support services closer together managed through the DSD
Communications unit, including
working with GCIS
Social media platforms such
Twitter and Facebook
Complaints mechanism
Current/actual complaints mechanism Desired arrangements Actual achievements
A complaints management help An integrated Contact Centre for A dedicated DSD help desk
desk accessible through email and DSD services to provide redress. function accessible via email and
via telephone by telephonic means.
33 DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21