Keep our children safe
Employers are urged to verify their employees against the Child Protection Register
AS we commemorate Child Protection Week (2–9 June), the Department of Social Development (DSD) has urged all employers to verify their employees against the Child Protection Register.
‘Given the unacceptably high levels of child abuse, neglect and exploitation in South Africa, suitability checks for persons working with, or having access to, children are crucial as a preventative measure in the child protection system,’ said the DSD in a statement.
The department has called on mainly those organisations whose employees come into direct contact with children, to verify their suitability to work with children.
The purpose of the Child Protection Register (CPR) is to ensure children are protected from abuse.
‘Employers or potential employers are encouraged to take reasonable steps to minimise the risk of child abuse, neglect and exploitation.’
It is in line with the Children’s Act that all organisations working with, or which have access to children, are required to assess and verify the suitability of their employees and potential employees.
‘It is also the responsibility of parents to ensure that those entrusted with the care of their children such as childminders and early childhood development practitioners, including volunteers in childcare facilities, are suitable to work with children.
‘This will ensure that the right people are chosen to work with children.’
Section 111 of the Act mandates DSD to keep and maintain a CPR which consists of two parts.
Part A records all instances of abuse or deliberate neglect of a child while part B lists the details of people deemed unsuitable to work with children.
To date, there are 9 153 reported cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation recorded on the CPR while 509 people have been listed as unfit to work with children.
As at the end of March, DSD had received 140 029 suitability check enquiries from employers and individuals.
