Understanding the challenges faced by South African youth after foster care
When one is 18, the next step would be to further studies, but for children exiting the system they are faced with lacked family and financial support.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
In South Africa, a child can be placed in foster care until they turn 18 years old, with the possibility of extensions until the age of 21 if certain conditions are met, under section 180 of the Children' 's Act 38 of 2005.
Many factors land a child in a situation where they are no longer in their birth parents' care and are homeless or are in foster care - a child of the system.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) demographic analysis indicates that the homeless population comprises approximately 7% children (0-17 years) and 44% youth (15-34 years).
Although youths face different hurdles in their transition to adulthood, those in child and youth care centres experience significant challenges resulting from their past experiences of harm, neglect, abuse and separation from parents.
Youth transitioning out of foster care who do not live with relatives often face greater difficulties compared to other young people.
Many have no financial, adult or any other support required to transition successfully to adulthood. Receiving little to no preparatory services from social workers for their transition to adulthood
The next step often becomes a stumbling block, for youth trying to figure out how to independently function.
When one is 18, the next step would be to further studies, but for children exiting the system they are faced with barely any family and financial support, and as a result, find entry into tertiary education more difficult than their peers in the general population do.
Lack of skills in managing finances, finding housing, and accessing healthcare, result in youth exiting youth care centres facing instability and homelessness.
With a lack of support, and youths transitioning from residential care to independent living they struggle to find employment. Studies have shown that many youths transitioning out of the system do not have permanent jobs and earn incomes below the poverty line.
Preparing youth aging out of foster care for independent living is crucial for a successful transition to adulthood. This preparation should involve addressing the developmental needs of young people within their care and permanency plans.
Furthermore, all foster children aged 15 and older should have the opportunity to participate in an independent living program.
Böning and Ferreira's study recommended individualized foster care plans for all foster children, including those in non-kinship care. These plans should include specific, needs-based objectives, timelines, and assigned individuals responsible for implementation.
This recommendation aligns with section 157(1)(a)(iii) of South Africa's Children's Act 38 of 2005, which mandates that social workers create individual care plans for every child in alternative care.
Despite these challenges, several NGOs are actively working to support these vulnerable youths:
Baphumelele Children's Home – Fountain of Hope
Located in Cape Town, Baphumelele's Fountain of Hope program offers a 12-month residential initiative for youths aged 18–21 transitioning from care.
It provides life skills training, educational support, and agricultural work experience, aiming to equip participants with tools for independent living.
U-Turn, Khulisa Streetscapes, and MES – Coalition to End Homelessness
These Cape Town-based organizations have formed a coalition focusing on rehabilitation, skills development, and employment opportunities for homeless individuals, including youths. Their collaborative approach addresses immediate needs while promoting long-term self-sufficiency.
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Harambee addresses youth unemployment by connecting first-time job seekers with employers. Their programs offer skills training and job placement services, providing economic opportunities that can prevent homelessness among youths exiting care.
IOL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
Economic instability determines fathers' involvement
File: A father plays with his son in a park. JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is a country battling the issue of absent fathers, which has led to many broken families. According to the latest numbers from Stats SA's 2024 General Household Survey, over 45% of the country's children live with their mothers only. This number is higher in rural areas, at 50.3% Dr. Charley Pietersen, founder of the Growing Up Without a Father Foundation, said that there must be an investment at an early age, which means investing in young men before they become fathers, and that this should begin in schools.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
SAPS faces significant backlog in medical boarding applications
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says police members, who are medically boarded and whose medical condition prevents them from executing their activities of daily living, received a monthly home nursing allowance to the tune of R5,460. Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has disclosed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is currently facing a backlog of about 200 applications from officers awaiting the processing of their medical boarding applications. Almost half of the total number of the total applications was approved about five months ago. Mchunu revealed this when he was responding in writing to parliamentary questions from DA MP Lisa Schickerling, who enquired abut delays in the processing of medical boarding applications. 'There are currently approximately 200 applications which are pending adjudication,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mchunu disclosed that the most recent medical boarding process conducted by the SAPS was conducted on January 15, 2025. 'A total of 97 members were granted medical boarding.' The minister said they considered several factors when determining the eligibility of police members to be considered for medical boarding. These included the nature and severity of illness, optimisation of treatment, feasibility for functional recovery, period of absence from work, as well as the age, rank, years of service, and socio-economic factors of the affected members. 'Medical boarding factors are communicated to affected members through individual telephonic interviews, where applicable, and pre-medical boarding consultation,' Mchunu said. There is also policy on ill-health retirement that was circulated in all nine provinces and divisions within SAPS. 'The same was uploaded on the SAPS intranet. Road shows are also conducted to capacitate local Human Resource Practitioners.' Mchunu also said the SAPS was using its internal resources to address the backlogs in processing the medical boarding applications. 'The South African Police Service (SAPS) is employing its internal clinical competencies until such time that the SAPS can procure the services from an external service provider.' Mchunu said the support and assistance provided to members who have been medically boarded due to injury or ill-health sustained while performing their duties depended on the individual's eligibility based on their medical condition. Police members who are medically boarded and whose medical condition prevents them from executing their activities of daily living received a monthly home nursing allowance of R5,460. They also receive assistive devices such as wheelchairs and accessories, prosthetic limbs, and hearing aids. Mchunu said motor vehicles and the housing environment were also configured for reasonable accommodation and utility. There was also the disbursement of boarding and lodging fees for nationalised members. He said members who were medically boarded but still possessed the capacity to execute their activities of daily living received some form of support and assistance. This entailed continued disbursement of medical invoices in relation to the injury-on-duty diagnosis. 'This is limited to the legislative window period of two years post-injury and/or acute medical necessities, even if it is after two years. The balance of medical necessities outside SAPS's jurisdiction is covered by Polmed (medical aid scheme),' Mchunu said. The minister stated that the SAPS does not have a structured programme or follow-up services in terms of the well-being, financial stability, and reintegration to civilian life of medically boarded members, except for those who have been medically boarded due to injuries on duty.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Steenhuisen calls for building trust in SA red meat industry through rigorous standards
Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, speaking at the Red Meat Abattoir Association Conference in Cape Town on Thursday. Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Newspapers Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has reaffirmed that the South African red meat industry must adhere to strict traceability systems and underpinned by a relentless focus on quality, transparency, and food safety. This comes as the country continues to grapple with the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth diseases (FMD). Underlining the significance of biosecurity, the Minister pointed out that abattoirs serve as essential checkpoints for public health and animal welfare. "If there are gaps in how we operate abattoirs, whether in hygiene, record-keeping, carcass classification, or worker safety, then we expose not only our markets but our communities," Steenhuisen said at the Red Meat Abattoir Association Conference in Cape Town on Thursday. "This is why, under my leadership, the Department of Agriculture is intensifying its inspection systems, modernising legislation, and working closely with provincial veterinary services to ensure that standards are not merely set, but enforced. Compliance must not be treated as a formality. It is a public good. "We are also prioritising upgrades to small-scale and rural abattoirs, ensuring that they are equipped to meet basic statutory and food safety requirements. If we are serious about expanding market access to emerging farmers, we must build a system that is inclusive and compliant." Moreover, Steenhuisen said the industry was taking a proactive approach to combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. He said this was especially important as the country confronts animal disease threats like FMD, African swine fever, and zoonotic risks. "And it is particularly important as we strengthen our export credentials, where one outbreak can trigger a devastating market suspension. It is for this reason that we are reforming our disease surveillance system, revitalising partnerships with the private sector and investing in digital platforms that can flag biosecurity threats early and allow for rapid, science-based response," Steenhuisen said. "However, as we enhance our commitment to food safety, we must also remain vigilant on the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Responsible use of antibiotics in livestock production is not only essential for animal health, but also for protecting human health. We are actively working with veterinarians, industry players, and health authorities to align our practices with international guidelines for responsible antimicrobial stewardship." BUSINESS REPORT
