As a non-profit organisation, CHILD WELFARE Durban and District (CWDD) commits itself to working in the cause of justice and ensuring the well-being of children by protecting their rights and promoting their quality of life, as well as that of their families and communities.

• To protect, investigate and provide care to children in need, including neglect, abuse, abandonment, orphanhood, children affected/infected by HIV and AIDS, and children who have been living on the street;
• To maintain and conduct places of care, incorporating therapeutic programmes;
• To promote early childhood development;
• To promote wider community participation in child and family welfare services.

Our services are rendered at 4 levels, as follows:

• Prevention– This service is provided to families who have children and are in crisis, in order to strengthen and build their capacity and self-reliance to address problems that may occur in the family environment which, if not attended to, may lead to statutory intervention. This includes awareness programmes and education of communities and key role players.
• Early Intervention– This service is provided to families where there are children identified as being vulnerable to or at risk of harm or removal into alternative care. This includes counselling, therapy and mediation.
• Statutory Services– when early intervention services have not been successful, the child is subject to a children’s court enquiry for statutory placement. Placements are either family/ alternate care; foster care, residential care and adoption.
• Residential care and Continuum of care: In instances where statutory intervention is necessary, our Organisation supervises and monitors the placement of children.

2445 in foster care under our Statutory Supervision

334 Children in Child and Youth Care Centres under our supervision

627 cases of abused and neglected were investigated and managed

305 Children were afforded protection by the way of Children’s Court Enquiries

309 preventative programmes were provided 2016/2017

46205 Adults and Children benefitted from preventative programmes

Our social work services are offered from various offices located throughout the Durban area. These offices allow us to investigate and manage cases of neglect, abuse and abandonment, with emphasis always placed on providing assistance to preserve the family unit. They also allow us to recruit foster and adoptive parents from within local communities and to supervise our foster care placements.

The concept of the Community Family Home, developed by CHILD WELFARE DURBAN & DISTRICT (CWDD), has proven effective for maintaining groups of six children of different ages. The children are placed in the foster care of a house mother, in these family-style homes. These homes are a preferred alternative to child and youth care centres as the child remains within the community.

The Organisation had since 1996 managed two such homes where after another three were opened during 2003 and 2004. Presently the organisation supervises nine community family homes. Five community homes are run in partnership with Thokomala Orphan Care Organisation, who finances these 5 homes, located in Newlands West, 2 in Isipingo and 2 in Umlazi. CWDD is responsible for the remaining 4 community homes, located in the following areas: 1 in Newlands East, 2 in Cato Manor and 1 in Chesterville. In order to maintain, manage and run the four community homes, the Organsiation actively and continuously fundraises.

The Organisation renders ongoing professional services to these children. The community house mother receives a monthly allowance paid by CWDD and foster care grants from the Department of Social Development, towards the care of the children.

The children who are considered for placement at the community family homes are vulnerable children which includes AIDS orphans or children with no traceable relatives, nor any other alternative placement options available to them.

A child may require care outside of their own home because of neglect, abuse or abandonment. Child and Youth Care Centres provide a warm, safe, caring environment and a programme to deal with the trauma of the child’s experiences. The aim is to return the child to family life as soon as possible. The involvement of parents is therefore essential.

If the return of children to their own home is not possible, then they may be placed with foster or adoptive parents. Programmes within the Child and Youth Care Centres prepare them for this placement.

Lakehaven Child and Youth Care Centre
William Clark Othandweni Child and Youth Care Centre
Edith Benson Babies Home