Frequently Asked Questions

Child and Youth Care Centres provide substitute family care for children placed with AKB by the Children’s Court. AKB supports 180 young lives through Langlaagte Campus, Maria Kloppers Campus and Satellite Homes, helping them move toward safety, stability and belonging.

Purpose:

To uphold children’s constitutional rights to nutrition, shelter, healthcare, protection from harm, and appropriate alternative care

Residential focus:

It offers a home-like setting with structured programmes suited to the children’s needs, going beyond basic shelter to include holistic development.

Programmes offered:

Developmental, therapeutic, educational, recreational, and secure care programmes. The goal is to help children heal from trauma, build skills, and work toward reintegration into families or independent living where possible.

Registration and oversight:

CYCCs must be registered with the provincial Department of Social Development. They follow national norms and standards to ensure quality care, the protection of children’s rights, and accountability. NPO’s like Abraham Kriel Bambanani operate many of these centres under this framework.

A committed child means that the child has been removed from the parents or guardians’ care by the Children’s Court due to:

• neglect
• extreme poverty
• drug abuse or alcoholism
• imprisonment
• abandonment of the child
• sexual or physical abuse
• health or disability reasons
• behavioural problems in the children

In South Africa, reporting child abuse or suspected abuse is not just a moral duty—it is a legal requirement under the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005). You do not need absolute proof to make a report; a reasonable suspicion is enough. If you suspect any form of child abuse, please report it immediately.

1. Who to Contact Immediately:

You can report the abuse through any of the following channels. Choose the one that is quickest or most accessible to you:

• Childline South Africa
  Toll-Free Helpline: Dial 116 (or 0800 055 555) from any network, 24/7. They provide immediate crisis counselling, take reports, and immediately refer cases to social
  workers or police. https://www.childlinesa.org.za/
• The South African Police Service (SAPS)
  Emergency Line: Dial 10111 or visit your nearest police station. Ask for the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit if it is a major station.
  Anonymous Tip-Off: Call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
• Department of Social Development (DSD)
  You can contact your local DSD provincial/district office or call the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) at 0800 428 428 (or dial *120*7867# for a free
  "Please Call Me"). They have social workers available around the clock.
• Child Welfare South Africa
  Contact Number: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) or contact a local designated child protection organization in your town

2. Critical Things to Keep in Mind

• Do Not Investigate Yourself: Your role is only to report. Do not interview the child deeply, confront the alleged abuser, or try to gather physical evidence. Let trained
  forensic social workers and the police handle the investigation so that legal evidence isn’t compromised.
• You Are Protected: The law protects your identity. You can request to remain anonymous when making the report, and you cannot be sued or penalised for
  reporting in good faith.
• No Parental Consent Needed: You do not need the permission of the parents or caregivers to report the abuse, especially since the abuse often happens within the
  family unit.
• In Medical Emergencies: If the child is physically injured or has been sexually assaulted, get them to a public hospital or a Thuthuzela Care Centre https://www.gov.za/TCC (one-stop crisis centres located at major hospitals) immediately. Doctors can treat the child and gather medical evidence directly for the
  police report.

No. Children are placed in our care by designated social workers from Child Protection organisations. Abraham Kriel Bambanani is primarily responsible for the protection, care and development of the child while in our care. Abraham Kriel Bambanani is not a registered Adoption agency and therefore cannot provide the required screening, training, and support services to adoptive families. AKB works closely with the child protection organisation and provides input to the most suitable care and placement plan for the child. The designated social worker (Child Protection Organisation) is ultimately responsible for the child’s long- term placement.

A safe, structured daily space or Centre offering prevention and early intervention services under South Africa’s Children’s Act, where children find refuge, nourishment, and belonging.

Personalised outreach that meets children and caregivers directly in their homes, building stability and self-reliance within their own environments.

Psychosocial support is assistance that helps individuals, families, or communities improve both their psychological well-being (thoughts, emotions, and mental health) and
their social well-being (relationships, social networks, and community connections).

Definition:

Psychosocial support refers to a range of services and activities designed to address the emotional, mental, social, and practical needs of people facing difficult situations, helping them cope, build resilience, and maintain healthy relationships and functioning.

Examples of psychosocial support include:

• Counselling and emotional support
• Peer support groups
• Family and community support programs
• Life-skills training
• Recreational and educational activities
• Stress management and coping strategies

Psychosocial support is provided to children, youth and where applicable to their families, affected by crises, trauma, illness, disability, poverty, violence, or major life changes.

Yes. Please click here for more details on how your donation can be a tax benefit to you.

In certain instances, you are allowed access to your files. Kindly contact the relevant Campus Manager and they will guide you through the process.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any information to a third party. However, we might be able to point you in the right direction.

AKB provides services and support only to beneficiaries and their families registered in our programmes. Please contact the nearest welfare organisation or Department
of Social Development (DSD) office in your area for support.

Although AKB are always open to collaborating with other NGOs to increase the impact of our services, we are not in a position to provide financial support to other organisations.