The increase in abandoned children has raised concern among Rata Social Services social workers. To educate or raise awareness about the growing concern, Rata Social Services aims to provide suitable options to the communities.

“Child abandonment is not an option! Not only is it a criminal offence, but it psychologically affects and harms a child and the parent,” said social worker Steffney Rajiah.

“We believe that empowering people to make healthy decisions and linking them with resources can prevent harm to innocent children.”

According to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, as amended, a child is to be protected at all costs.

“Unfortunately, the reality is that this is not always the case,” said Rajiah.

Due to the current climate, various factors affect a person’s decision to abandon a child, and the predominant factors are:
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of finances
• Lack of family support
• Sacrifice for schooling or a job
• Stigma relating to being a single parent
• Developmental challenges

Rata Social Services assists with better options than abandoning a child. These include foster care or other placement options.

“When considering the ethic that ‘Every child has the right to grow in a permanent and stable family,’ efforts are made to promote adoption of children when needed, regardless of age, race, gender, and special needs,” said Rajiah.

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Rata Social Services’ values, which align with the Children’s Act and the Ethical Code of the SACSSP, are paramount when dealing with adoptions (integrity, professionalism, transparency, credibility, faith, ethics, and reliability).

Birth parents/mothers who opt to put their child up for adoption can, as soon as possible after the birth of the child, go to court to sign consent. This process is usually done through a social worker after having counselled the parties involved.

The child is then placed in a safe-care setting, pending the adoption investigation.

“This is a more humane action than abandoning a child in a veld or trying to harm the child,” said Rajiah.

Should you find yourself in this position, reach out to a Social Services office and let them assist you. Rata Social Services, among other organisations, assists with the process of giving a child an alternative option.

This includes counselling the parent who wants to give the child up for adoption, as well as screening prospective adoptive parents and finalising adoption matters.

Rata Social Services Secunda can be contacted on 010 055 5093, 081 216 8976, or 064 830 5055.

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