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Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005)

Regulations

General Regulations Regarding Children, 2010

Annexures

Annexure B : National Norms and Standards (Sections 79;94;106;147;194 and 216 of the Act)

Part VI : National Norms and Standards for Drop-In Centres

 

For the purposes of section 216(2) of the Act, the following are national norms and standards for drop-in centres:

 

(1) A safe environment for children

 

(a) Children must experience safety and feel cared for while at a drop-in centre.
(b) Premises inside and outside must be clean, safe and maintained to a reasonable standard.
(c) Equipment used must be safe, clean and well maintained.
(d) There must be adult supervision at all times.
(e) All reasonable precautions must be taken to protect children and staff from the risk of fire, accidents or other hazards.
(f) A first aid kit must be available and maintained, and persons providing services at a drop-in centre must be trained to administer it.
(g) Any substances, cleaning materials or dangerous objects must be safely stored and kept out of reach of children.
(h) Where obvious signs of injury or trauma are detected, a child must be referred to a hospital or clinic for further assessment and treatment, and his or her parents or care-giver informed as soon as possible, if their whereabouts are known.
(i) Where it is suspected that a child may have been abused and in need of child protection services, such child must be referred to a designated child protection organisation.
(j) In humane and degrading treatment and punishment of children in a drop-in centre is prohibited.

 

(2) Safe drinking water

 

(a) Safe and clean drinking water must always be available.
(b) Where water is not from a piped source, it must be treated and made safe using approved national guidelines for the treatment of water by adding one teaspoon of bleach to 25 litres of water.
(c) All water containers must be covered at all times.

 

(3) Hygienic and adequate toilet facilities

 

(a) There must be safe and hygienic toilet and hand washing facilities.
(b) Where sewerage systems are available, there must be one toilet and one hand washing facility for every 40 children.
(c) Where no running water is available, there must be a minimum of 25 litres of drinkable water per day, bearing in mind the period of time for which the drop-in centre is open.
(d) Where no washbasins are available, one suitable container for every 20 children must be made available, provided that such container is cleaned regularly and closed.

 

(4) Access to refuse disposal services or other adequate means of disposal of refuse

 

(a) Where possible, refuse must be disposed of according to municipality regulations.
(b) Waste must be kept out of reach of children.
(c) Waste disposal areas must be regularly disinfected.

 

(5) Hygienic area for the preparation of food

 

(a) There must be a separate, clean and safe area for the preparation of food as well as for cleaning up after food preparation.
(b) There must be a separate space for the serving of food to children.
(c) There must be a cooling facility for the storage of perishable food.
(d) There must be a facility for the storage of food.