​On the 24th July 2025, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Northern Corridor, hosted an Institutional Social and Social Auxiliary Workers Forum to engage in family reunification and aftercare services for children with behavioral problems discharged from the school of industries.
The program, held at Garankuwa Rearabilwe Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC), was themed “Social Workers in Child and Youth Care Centers.”

Giving the purpose, Social Worker Lettah Piroe stated that the program seeks to equip practitioners with practical strategies and insights to improve their roles in supporting vulnerable children and ensure sustainable reintegration into families and community life.

Departmental Social Worker from Mabutho Hlatshwayo CYCC, Tintswalo Novela, who conducted research on family reunification and aftercare services for children between 2020 and 2022, said, “Parents are not coping with the behavior of children, especially during leave of absence and after being discharged from a CYCC, and the withdrawal from parental responsibilities or lack of parental contact leads to children seeking re-entry after discharge.”

In her research, Novela stated, “Globally, institutions are regarded as temporary, not permanent placements. The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 prescribes the maximum period of stay in a CYCC as not more than two years. Long stays have a negative impact on children, including loss of family bonds, a sense of identity, and difficulties in transitioning out of institutional care.”

She mentioned that her research discovered that family reunification services lacked consistency and were poorly implemented, causing parents to feel unheard by practitioners. Decisions taken on their behalf led to poor engagement by designated social workers, which negatively impacted the family reunification process.

She further indicated that parents reported extreme behavioral problems with high levels of violence, aggression, and threats to lives because they blame themselves for their children’s behavior.

In conclusion, Novela recommended that family reunification services be integrated, including other relevant stakeholders, while Social Workers working with children with behavioral problems must be empowered with relevant skills and knowledge.

Social and Auxiliary Workers were also given an opportunity to pose questions or make comments during the program.