South Africa's Department of Social Development Calls for Stronger Partnerships to Support Children with Disabilities

The Department of Social Development in South Africa has emphasized the need for stronger partnerships across government, civil society, and communities to improve care and support for children with disabilities and their families. This call to action comes during Disability Rights Awareness Month, with the department highlighting the importance of coordinated services that address educational, developmental, and healthcare needs. The department's efforts are guided by the 2026 theme, “Creating Strategic Multisectoral Partnerships for a Disability-Inclusive Society”.

The Department of Social Development noted that families caring for children with disabilities often face significant challenges, including additional costs of care, limited access to information, negative attitudes, and difficulties accessing specialised services. The department stressed that families should not have to navigate these challenges alone, and that their care and development are a shared responsibility. To address these challenges, the department is implementing various interventions, including a respite care programme that provides temporary relief to parents and caregivers.

The respite care programme, currently being piloted in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, has reached 220 children and their families. The programme provides temporary relief to parents and caregivers while ensuring children continue receiving appropriate care, protection, stimulation, and developmental support. Additionally, the department is working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to strengthen community-based respite care services, including caregiver training and improved referral systems.

The Department of Social Development is also collaborating with other government departments, including Basic Education and Health, to improve early identification, referrals, and coordination of services for children with disabilities. This collaboration is facilitated through a joint coordinating committee supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The department is also working to ensure that children with disabilities, their families, and organisations representing people with disabilities are involved in developing programmes that respond to their actual needs.

One of the department's key interventions is the Care Dependency Grant, administered by the South African Social Security Agency. The grant is currently paid to 179,609 qualifying caregivers of children who require additional care because of a disability. The department highlighted that only 8,641 children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities were receiving support in special care centres in 2022, according to the UNICEF Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in South Africa.

The Department of Social Development is calling on all sectors to strengthen their partnerships during Disability Rights Awareness Month and work towards a society where children with disabilities are included, supported, and given opportunities to reach their full potential. The department's efforts aim to promote a disability-inclusive society, where children with disabilities can access the support and services they need to thrive.

The department's call for stronger partnerships and collaborative efforts aims to address the complex challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families. By working together, the department hopes to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for children with disabilities, enabling them to reach their full potential and participate fully in society.

Key points

• The Department of Social Development is implementing a respite care programme to provide temporary relief to parents and caregivers of children with disabilities.
• The department is working with other government departments and organisations to improve early identification, referrals, and coordination of services for children with disabilities.
• The Care Dependency Grant is currently paid to 179,609 qualifying caregivers of children who require additional care because of a disability.