DA submits Children’s Amendment Bill to further protect children in partial care facilities

5 July 2023

The DA has submitted the Children’s Amendment Bill 2023 to the National Assembly for consideration. The aim of this bill is to enhance the protection of children in micro-partial care facilities by implementing regulations that require registration, inspections, and compliance with established norms and standards. These standards encompass basic human rights and conditions, including access to water and adequate toilet facilities.

Currently, the Children's Act regulates partial care facilities catering to more than six children. However, there are no provisions in the Act that mandate regulation for facilities accommodating fewer than six children.

Consequently, smaller facilities operate without any requirements for ensuring adequate protection of children, leaving them vulnerable to inhumane conditions and abuse. While the Act does regulate areas with less than six children in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs), it fails to address every type of partial care facility, necessitating further safeguards against potential abuse.

Our Bill introduces a distinction between partial care facilities and micro-partial care facilities. Nonetheless, we strike a delicate balance between protecting children and avoiding excessive regulation that could hinder proper registration and functioning of these facilities.

The DA encourages the public to provide their comments by emailing [email protected]. We believe that children are the future of our country, and we remain committed to advocating for their protection.

Issued by Bridget Masango, DA Shadow Minister of Social Development, 5 July 2023