Children's Act Practice Note 2 of 2011 - LexisNexis South Africa

Practice Position:a) Reporting of child abuse or deliberate neglect cases• The above sections imply that members of the public who on reasonableground conclude that a child has been abused must report such to theprovincial department of social development, a designated child protectionorganisation or a police official in terms of sectiontion110 (2) as outlinedabove.• The report can be verbal, written or through the online notification and itmust reach the provincial department of social development within 24 hours.• The official who receives a report of abuse from the child or the personreporting on behalf of a child must verify that the abuse has happened.• Complete Form 22 and submit it to the regional or provincial department ofsocial development, to be captured in the Register.• The manager or supervisor (social development) will then allocate the caseto the relevant social work office for investigation.• The investigating social worker must complete Form 23. This form includesnew information that was not available when the case was reported or whenForm 22 was completed. (Only the investigating social worker/casemanager can utilize this Form, as they are required to make follow-up visitson the case).b) Notification of convictions and outcomes of the children’s court• The clerk of the court must complete Form 25. The Form has twosections which include information on convictions and findings of thechildren’s court.• The Form must be forwarded to the Director-General of theDepartment of Social Development within 14 days of such convictionor finding.• It must be accompanied by a court order, court proceedings and asocial worker’s report (in relation to findings of the children’s court).• The clerk of the court submits the completed Form 25 electronicallyor in a sealed envelope marked confidential to the Director-General29Children’s Act practice note 02 of 2011: Transitional matters