Latest news with #LumkaOliphant
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Opening hearts and homes: A guide to adopting in South Africa
Some parents-to-be can opt to adopt children, not because of pregnancy issues but because they are consciously extending a hand in providing love and care for children in need. Children have a right to protection against violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Reportedly, between April 2010 and March 2024, the Department of Social Development recorded 16 593 national adoptions within South Africa. The Department of Social Development (DSD) advises South Africans that they have alternative options when they cannot look after their children. Lumka Oliphant, spokesperson of the DSD explained, 'Adoption which is viewed as the most permanent placement option for children who are orphaned and vulnerable, remains under-utilised in South Africa and this leaves children for whom there is no immediate alternative care within their extended families, exceptionally vulnerable to the long-term effects of institutionalisation.' Also read:Giving children a sense of belonging through adoption Furthermore, 'Currently, South Africa has children who are orphaned due to various reasons like violent crime, gender-based violence, HIV/Aids and the Covid-19. On the other hand, some children are abandoned due to the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and unwanted pregnancy.' She concluded that although adoption is a person's or a family's choice, it is important to promote adoption services and recruit prospective adoptive parents within the country. Applying for national adoption Only South African citizens residing in South Africa can apply, and must want to adopt a South African child. 1. Go to any adoption agency in any province of your choice to apply. 2. The adoption agency will conduct a screening/ home study to check if you are fit and proper to adopt a child. 3. If the agency is satisfied with the results, they will put you on a Register of Adoptable Children and Adoptive Parents while they help you search for a child who is available for adoption. 4. If a child is available, they will call you to the offices to meet the child and ask you if you are interested in adopting the child. 5. If you agree, they will send your report to the Children's Court to finalise the adoption and issue an adoption order. 6. The Court report will be sent to the Department of Social Development so they can check if correct procedure was followed and to record both your and the child's details. Also read: Ways to teach your child to accept all families The duration of the process differs from one case to another. And the cost will depend on the agency used. Abba Specialist Adoption & Social Services (Abba) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1983. They are a designated child protection organisation with adoption accreditation for national and inter-country adoptions. They provide a range of direct services to abandoned, neglected, orphaned, and vulnerable children who appear to be in need of permanent alternative family care. On the matter of the duration of the adoption process, Abba indicates, 'The screening process is not only establishing whether a prospective adoptive parent is fit and proper but is also a preparation process to ensure that parents are ready for the challenges of adoption and equipped to deal with them. At Abba, this process normally takes between 4-6 months. 'The waiting period for a child is closely related to the profile of the child that parents have applied for. There are, for instance, more black children available for adoption than children of other races, which can increase the waiting time for a baby.' The DSD encourages citizens to use the opportunity to adopt, and make a lasting difference in children's lives. All forms are available at your nearest Department of Social Development offices. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Child adoption journey unpacked
Some parents-to-be can opt to adopt children, not because of pregnancy issues but because they are consciously extending a hand in providing love and care for children in need. Children have a right to protection against violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Reportedly, between April 2010 and March 2024, the Department of Social Development recorded 16 593 national adoptions within South Africa. The Department of Social Development (DSD) advises South Africans that they have alternative options when they cannot look after their children. Lumka Oliphant, spokesperson of the DSD explained, 'Adoption which is viewed as the most permanent placement option for children who are orphaned and vulnerable, remains under-utilised in South Africa and this leaves children for whom there is no immediate alternative care within their extended families, exceptionally vulnerable to the long-term effects of institutionalisation.' Also read:Giving children a sense of belonging through adoption Furthermore, 'Currently, South Africa has children who are orphaned due to various reasons like violent crime, gender-based violence, HIV/Aids and the Covid-19. On the other hand, some children are abandoned due to the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and unwanted pregnancy.' She concluded that although adoption is a person's or a family's choice, it is important to promote adoption services and recruit prospective adoptive parents within the country. Applying for national adoption Only South African citizens residing in South Africa can apply, and must want to adopt a South African child. 1. Go to any adoption agency in any province of your choice to apply. 2. The adoption agency will conduct a screening/ home study to check if you are fit and proper to adopt a child. 3. If the agency is satisfied with the results, they will put you on a Register of Adoptable Children and Adoptive Parents while they help you search for a child who is available for adoption. 4. If a child is available, they will call you to the offices to meet the child and ask you if you are interested in adopting the child. 5. If you agree, they will send your report to the Children's Court to finalise the adoption and issue an adoption order. 6. The Court report will be sent to the Department of Social Development so they can check if correct procedure was followed and to record both your and the child's details. Also read: Ways to teach your child to accept all families The duration of the process differs from one case to another. And the cost will depend on the agency used. Abba Specialist Adoption & Social Services (Abba) is a non-profit organisation founded in 1983. They are a designated child protection organisation with adoption accreditation for national and inter-country adoptions. They provide a range of direct services to abandoned, neglected, orphaned, and vulnerable children who appear to be in need of permanent alternative family care. On the matter of the duration of the adoption process, Abba indicates, 'The screening process is not only establishing whether a prospective adoptive parent is fit and proper but is also a preparation process to ensure that parents are ready for the challenges of adoption and equipped to deal with them. At Abba, this process normally takes between 4-6 months. 'The waiting period for a child is closely related to the profile of the child that parents have applied for. There are, for instance, more black children available for adoption than children of other races, which can increase the waiting time for a baby.' The DSD encourages citizens to use the opportunity to adopt, and make a lasting difference in children's lives. All forms are available at your nearest Department of Social Development offices. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Process of child fostering unpacked
IN essence, foster care is a critical societal intervention that provides children in need with the opportunity to thrive, heal, and build a brighter future. Issues affecting children may include high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/Aids. Children younger than 18 years are eligible for foster care, while foster care individuals should be older than 18 years. The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre believes that family reunification is a significant part of their fostering programme. 'Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong,' the centre shared. The Department of Social Development reported that as of the end of March 2024, there were 306 683 children in foster placement receiving foster child grants. Also read: Challenges facing SA foster care system The department's Lumka Oliphant explained, 'Foster care is a court-ordered care of a child that needs care and protection, placing the child in a cluster foster care scheme or with a suitable person other than a biological parent or a guardian. As part of foster care, the Children's Act introduced the concept of cluster foster care placement, which is aimed at maximising the available resources.' Prospective foster parents and homes need to apply to the Department of Social Development or an accredited child protection organisation for permission to foster the child. Once the court order has been issued, you can apply for a foster child grant. Oliphant adds, 'You can only foster a child for the period indicated in the court order. Once the indicated period of the court order has lapsed, the presiding officer may, after reviewing the recommendation from the social worker, extend the period of the court order.' Also read: Are you able to become an animal foster parent? Steps to follow: 1. Apply to your nearest Department of Social Development office or an accredited child protection organisation to foster a child. 2. You will be referred to a social worker who will conduct an investigation. 3. The social worker will assess you and the child. 4. Submit the following: • an affidavit stating that the child is abandoned (if applicable) • death certificates of the parents (if applicable) • Birth certificate of the child. If the child does not have a birth certificate, the social worker will assist you in obtaining the birth certificate • Your identity document. 5. The biological parents must be involved in the process. 6. If you do not know where the biological parents are, the social worker will assist you in placing an advertisement in newspapers for one month, calling on them to come forward. 7. If the biological parents do not come forward, the process will proceed. 8. The child must be involved in the entire process. 9. The social worker will compile a report and present it to the Children's Court with recommendations. 10. Based on the social worker's report, the presiding officer at the court may find the child to be in need of care and protection. 11. The presiding officer will issue a court order approving the placement of the child with the foster parent. The court order will show the names of the foster parent, the foster child and the duration of the foster placement. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Child fostering process explained
IN essence, foster care is a critical societal intervention that provides children in need with the opportunity to thrive, heal, and build a brighter future. Issues affecting children may include high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/Aids. Children younger than 18 years are eligible for foster care, while foster care individuals should be older than 18 years. The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre believes that family reunification is a significant part of their fostering programme. 'Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong,' the centre shared. The Department of Social Development reported that as of the end of March 2024, there were 306 683 children in foster placement receiving foster child grants. Also read: Challenges facing SA foster care system The department's Lumka Oliphant explained, 'Foster care is a court-ordered care of a child that needs care and protection, placing the child in a cluster foster care scheme or with a suitable person other than a biological parent or a guardian. As part of foster care, the Children's Act introduced the concept of cluster foster care placement, which is aimed at maximising the available resources.' Prospective foster parents and homes need to apply to the Department of Social Development or an accredited child protection organisation for permission to foster the child. Once the court order has been issued, you can apply for a foster child grant. Oliphant adds, 'You can only foster a child for the period indicated in the court order. Once the indicated period of the court order has lapsed, the presiding officer may, after reviewing the recommendation from the social worker, extend the period of the court order.' Also read: Are you able to become an animal foster parent? Steps to follow: 1. Apply to your nearest Department of Social Development office or an accredited child protection organisation to foster a child. 2. You will be referred to a social worker who will conduct an investigation. 3. The social worker will assess you and the child. 4. Submit the following: • an affidavit stating that the child is abandoned (if applicable) • death certificates of the parents (if applicable) • Birth certificate of the child. If the child does not have a birth certificate, the social worker will assist you in obtaining the birth certificate • Your identity document. 5. The biological parents must be involved in the process. 6. If you do not know where the biological parents are, the social worker will assist you in placing an advertisement in newspapers for one month, calling on them to come forward. 7. If the biological parents do not come forward, the process will proceed. 8. The child must be involved in the entire process. 9. The social worker will compile a report and present it to the Children's Court with recommendations. 10. Based on the social worker's report, the presiding officer at the court may find the child to be in need of care and protection. 11. The presiding officer will issue a court order approving the placement of the child with the foster parent. The court order will show the names of the foster parent, the foster child and the duration of the foster placement. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
