ABOUT

Our intake unit is the first point of entry for clients seeking assistance iro vulnerable children and their families. The social workers within this unit assist children in crisis situations and conduct risk and safety assessments in order to determine the level of risk the child/ren are being exposed to. Therefore, depending on the findings of these risk and safety assessments, this unit will either open Children’s Court inquiries, assist with birth registrations, child support and foster grant applications, behaviour problems or other related social problems which may be placing children at risk.

The intake unit is primarily responsible for conducting risk assessments which often present as emergencies within Athlone, Langa, Hanover Park, Lotus River, Ottery and the Phillipi Horticulture areas.

In addition, it also assists with the following:

• Child Support Grants applications
• Opening investigations for foster care grant applications
• Late birth registrations
• Ministerial inquiries due to matters as reported directly to the Ministers office

The communities served by CTCWS are challenged by gangsterism, crime and substance abuse, which leads to daily reports of abuse, neglect and abandonment. To ensure that we can access children who are at risk, the Intake Unit follows organizational policy and procedures around working safely in our communities. We also rely on the strong relationships we have developed with community members and other NGOs to also provide information on what is happening within communities before proceeding.