Transforming the Western Cape's child and youth care centres: A call for child-friendly spaces

The current infrastructure at Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) in the Western Cape, which houses over 600 vulnerable youth, is being called into question. Experts advocate for a shift away from correctional-style facilities towards a more child-centred design.

The change in approach to infrastructure could offer therapeutic benefit and reflect a foundational ethos of care, healing, and rehabilitation, which will support the psychosocial well-being and reintegration of children into society.

This comes as part of the recommendations made by the Western Cape Commissioner for Children (WCCC), which conducted monitoring visits to all nine CYCCs in the province between July and August 2024, following a baseline study in 2023 on alternative care. 

The Department of Social Development currently manages seven of the secure care facilities in the Western Cape, which ensure the appropriate physical, behavioural, and emotional containment of young people who are in conflict with the law, charged with crimes, and who are awaiting trial or sentenced.

The CYCCs, where approximately 624 children in need of care and protection are situated, are located at Bonnytoun, Clanwilliam, Horizon, Lindelani, Outeniqua, Vredelus, Kensington Treatment Centre, Kraaifontein ROAR, and Sivuyile. 

According to the report, the aesthetics of the environment in which the youth are held may be a contributing factor to their rehabilitation.

The report noted: “The biggest challenge to maintaining infrastructure is property damage, which is said to occur daily. Management reflected that children act out easily toward the infrastructure, breaking walls and windows. This drives the need for constant upgrades, which puts a dent in the budget. Lights, another commonly vandalised item costing approximately R4,500 each, are frequently destroyed as children use broken glass and wires for tattooing.

“This is corroborated by previous research that demonstrates that a positive environment motivates young people in secure care to keep the space around them neat and tidy, and may prevent vandalism.”

Through the visits, the WCCC noted that all secure care facilities, except Kensington Treatment Centre and Kraaifontein ROAR, had the same overall aesthetic. 

“Facilities have small group living units that resemble prison cells as they have a locked gate, windows with bars, and, in some instances, a toilet and wash basin.

“These facilities felt bare and cold… Reports from the children indicate that their dignity was affected by living in this secure, controlled environment, and safety risks remain, as a child said, ‘die hekke maak my mal’ (the gates make me crazy),” the report noted.

In their list of recommendations, the WCCC said: “The commissioner recommends that DSD (Department of Social Development) carefully consider the current orientation of infrastructure standards, which appear very similar to a prison environment, to reorient more towards providing a child-friendly space for safety and protecting the dignity of children.”

The report by the WCCC was shared days before the national Department of Social Development hosts its fifth annual National Shelter Indaba to strengthen prevention and response to GBVF. 

The Indaba kicked off today and will run until Thursday, bringing together stakeholders to strengthen prevention and improve support services for women and children affected by violence.

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