Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC)

OFFICE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

THE PRESIDENCY: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

STRATEGIC PLAN
2005 – 2009

SECTION A: OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT’S OPERATING FRAMEWORK

INTRODUCTION

The first decade of democracy brought significant changes to the political, economic and social landscape of our country, and while there have been significant changes in the lives of our people and children, many challenges must still be addressed. These challenges lie in the heart of the mandate that Government received in the national elections in 2004.

The five-year strategic programme of the National Children’s Rights Sector seeks to respond to child protection and development challenges inherent in the Government’s overall five year strategic programme of action.

The children’s rights facilitation and oversight responsibilities of the Office on the Rights of the Child in the Presidency, are informed by the vision, mission and strategic objectives of The Presidency – and the strategic agenda of Government as expressed in the President’s State of the Nation’s Address to the third Parliament in 2004.

As is the case in all sectors of Government, the budget for the National Children’s Rights Programme is also be informed by Government priorities and sectoral objectives over the five years. National priorities also form the basis on which the children’s rights sector will also judge the State’s work and responsiveness to current and future child protection and development challenges

BROAD VISION AND MISSION OF GOVERNMENT

The overall vision of Government is to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa to ensure a better life for all – including children in this country.

To achieve this, Government is committed to:

Strengthen cooperation among economic partners
Partnerships with the people – including partnerships across all sectors
Accountability to meet mandates by improving monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of all programmes
Acceleration of economic development in rural and urban areas with economic potential
Improvement of policing skills to make South Africa a cleaner and safer place for society – including children
Work for a better Africa and a better world

NATIONAL STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES: 2005 – 2009

The National Strategic Objective remains "the creation of a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society".

The following are Government’s nation building priority areas underpinned by the central theme of accelerating change to improve the quality of life for communities. Implications of national priorities to the children’s rights and welfare sector are as follows:

National Priorities	Implications for the Children’s Rights and Welfare Sector
Reduction of poverty and unemployment by half by 2014	Disaggregating of child specific benefit, information and data in the national poverty reduction programme into 2014
Provision of skills required by the economy	Strengthening of early childhood and other national child/human resources development programmes
3. Consolidation of democracy and the building of a caring and responsive State	Consolidation of 1) family structures 2) child participation 3) State responsiveness to the plight of children 4) children’s rights public private partnerships
4. Combating crime and corruption	Administration of effective child protection and criminal justice programmes
5. Better national health profile	Administration of effective and efficient primary health care, "road to health", communicable diseases and health services systems
6. Progressive role in Africa and the world	Progressive children’s rights role in Africa and the world

The Government’s Programme of Action seeks to incrementally deliver on national priorities. The January Lekgotla in 2004 and the President’s State of Nation’s Address in the same year emphasised the following medium-term priorities:

BUILDING A GROWING ECONOMY & SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

The Government’s programme in this sector includes job creation, promotion of Broad-based Black economic empowerment, accelerated human resources development programmes – and focus on technology and issues of the second economy.

These elements of the national economic development programme provide opportunities for advancing delivery on the children’s rights Constitutional mandate. Parents who are employed, who enjoy sustainable livelihood and self reliance deriving from the development of their human potential, tend to be confident in delivering on their Constitutional mandate to ensure the protection and development of their children.

DEVELOPING COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY

The Government’s programme to create comprehensive social security – including the promotion of national identity, social cohesion, and comprehensive health care, provides opportunities to advance children’s rights delivery in South Africa.

DEEPENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

The deepening of democracy and expansion of access to services – especially for poor families and communities – is dependent on continuous improvement of public interaction with the State and its public representatives. This is also applicable in the children’s sector.

A BETTER AFRICA AND A BETTER WORLD

Government is committed to the consolidation of the Africa renewal agenda – including the consolidation of the African Union and the peer review mechanism, the implementation of NEPAD, the sustenance of the Pan African Parliament, and economic integration in Southern Africa. Government is also committed to strengthening South-South Co-operation and relations with industrialized countries.

The children’s sector has a responsibility to identify and action child protection and development opportunities in Government’s AU, South-South and bilateral initiatives with industrialised countries.

BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES AND FIGHTING CORRUPTION

Government seeks to 1) strengthen the capabilities of the Criminal Justice system 2) focus on priority crimes such as sexual abuse of women and children and 3) the negative impact of corruption on service delivery and the economy.

SECTION B: THE MANDATE AND CORE FUNCTION OF THE PRESIDENCY – SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE OFFICE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

INTRODUCTION

The Presidency’s overall Mandate and Core Business is to provide high-
quality, professional support to the President, Deputy President and
Minister, in the execution of their executive responsibilities.

Similarly, the Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC) must – through appropriate protocol – provide high-quality, professional technical support to the Minister, Deputy President and President.

VISION

The vision of The Presidency is "Excellence in Governance For a Better Life for All".

The vision of the ORC is "Excellence in Delivery on the Constitutional Mandate to ensure a Better Life for All Children"

MISSION

The mission of The Presidency is "Leadership, Development and Management of the Strategic Agenda of Government"

The mission of the ORC is "Leadership, Development and Management of the Children’s Rights Strategic Agenda of Government"

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Strategic Objectives: The Presidency	Strategic Objectives: ORC
To strengthen strategic management and leadership capabilities to achieve organisational cohesion	To strengthen strategic management and leadership capabilities in ORCs and CR Focal Points at all spheres of Government to achieve organisational cohesion
To improve management, access and sharing of information	To improve management, access and sharing of CR related information in Government and civil society
To coordinate, monitor, evaluate and communicate Government policies and programmes	To coordinate, monitor, evaluate and communicate on children’s rights delivery in Government
To foster nation-building and give effect and impetus to the people’s contract	To foster desired citizenship principles among children and thereby give impetus to the people’s contract
To enhance the integrated approach to governance for accelerated service delivery	To enhance integrated policy implementation for accelerated children’s rights delivery
To support, develop and consolidate initiatives for building a better Africa and a better world	To facilitate, support and consolidate children’s rights initiatives towards a better Africa and a better world
To accelerate the enhancement of the developmental State – with emphasis on accelerated economic growth and interventions towards the integration of the second economy, creating jobs and eradicating poverty	To ensure that opportunities that derive from economic growth and the second economy initiatives benefit the protection and development interests of children in South Africa

VALUES AND PRINCIPLES:

The Presidency seeks to uphold the values of the Batho Pele principles, ie:

Responsibility
Commitment to service
Courteousness
Equality
Loyalty
Empowerment
Accountability
Responsiveness
Justice
Fairness
Openness
Integrity

The ORC has an obligation to uphold the same principles in its oversight
responsibilities in the National Children’s Rights Programme
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE ORC

6.1 Mainstreaming of a child centred Governance approach. Policy
analysis is a key characteristic of this function.

6.2 Monitoring and evaluation of children’s rights delivery in Government.
Advocacy for delivery on the Constitutional mandate and coordination
of children’s rights activities are integral parts of this function.

6.3 Capacity building for effective children’s rights mainstreaming in
Government. Networking and liaison is embedded in this function

ORC OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITES

The ORC also has the responsibility to exercise oversights on children’s
rights activities in Government. The core functions and oversight responsibilities of the Office on the Rights of the Child focuses activities in this office on:

Mainstreaming of a child centred governance approach

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on children’s rights service delivery in Government

Strengthening of family structures – in partnerships with Departments and organs of civil society

Children’s rights activities in South Africa are coordinated through the ORCs and Children’s Rights Focal Points at all spheres of Government, and consolidation of the work of the National Children’s Rights Programme is the responsibility of the ORC in The Presidency.

SECTION C: ORC PROGRAMME & SUB PROGRAMMES

SUB PROGRAMME 1
MAINSTREAMING OF A CHILD CENTRED GOVERNANCE APPROACH

Purpose

This programme aims to inculcate the understanding in Government and civil society that child survival, protection and development is central to national prosperity

Description

This sub programme is responsible for:

Establishing understanding in Government regarding the link between children’s rights mainstreaming and access to basic services
Analysing evolving and existing policy to ensure sensitivity to best interest of the child

Ensuring that priority programmes in Government include child protection and development opportunities – especially for children in rural and poor communities

Facilitating the strengthening of the National Children’s Rights Programme in the Provinces and Municipalities

SUB PROGRAMME 2
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS DELIVERY IN GOVERNMENT

Purpose

To improve the performance of Government systems and quality of outputs by providing an early warning system and mechanism to respond speedily to problems as they arise

Description

This sub programme aims to:

Monitor children’s rights delivery in relation to the:

1) Constitutional mandate
2) Strategic agenda of Government
3) AU Charter for the Rights and Welfare of the Child
4) UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
5) Government Wide Indicators Framework (when the framework is
activated)

Produce quarterly progress and annual national reports on children’s rights delivery in Government

Use the findings of the monitoring and evaluation programme to:

1) Advocate for children’s rights delivery in Government
2) Report on delivery on the Constitutional mandate

SUB PROGRAMME 3
CAPACITY BUILDING TO ENSURE DELIVERY ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE

Purpose

To strengthen the performance capabilities of the ORCs and Children’s Rights Focal Points at all spheres of Government.

Description

This sub programme seeks to strengthen internal and external children’s rights transformation competencies towards effectiveness in:

Mainstreaming a child centred governance approach

Conducting policy analysis to ensure children’s rights sensitive policies

Service delivery specific training (done by line function Departments)

Facilitation and coordination of integrated policy implementation

Monitoring and evaluation of delivery on the Constitutional mandate

SECTION D: FOUR YEAR PLAN

SUB PROGRAMME 1: MAINSTREAMING OF A CHILD CENTRED GOVERNANCE APPROACH
Measurable Objective	Output over 5 yrs	Indicators in 5 yrs	2005/06 KRAS	2006/07 KRAS	2007/08 KRAS	2008/09 KRAS
To entrench the understanding in Gov and civil society that child survival, protection and development is central to national prosperity	A South Africa that advances opportunities to develop the human potential of children	Programmes that invest in measures to shift children from second economy conditions to enable access to first economy benefits and opportunities Baseline Information: Outstanding	National Policy Framework for the Advancement and Coordination of Children’s Rights Delivery in SA	1) Mainstreaming of children’s rights in: IDPs in Project Consolidate Municipalities ASGISA 2) Comprehensive National Policy Framework for the Protection of Vulnerable Children in SA	2^nd Edition of the children’s rights policy analysis and mainstreaming guides for ORCs and Children’s Rights Focal Points in Government Implementation Guide for the Policy Framework for Vulnerable Children	3 yrs mainstreaming impact audit
SUB PROGRAMME 2: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF DELIVERY ON THE CHILDREN’S RIGHTS CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
Measurable Objective	Output	Indicators	2005/06 KRAS	2006/07 KRAS	2007/08 KRAS	2008/09 KRAS
To improve the performance of Gov systems and quality of outputs by providing an early warning system and mechanism for speedy response to arising problems	Enhanced delivery on the human rights of children	Annual reports on "Delivery on the Children’s Rights Constitutional Mandate" Baseline Data: It has not been practice in South Africa to produce the Annual Children’s Rights Status Report	1) Children’s rights M&E systems	1) M&E reports on: Integrated ECD Programme Child Labour Vulnerable Children Status of CR delivery in Municipalities (example issue: teenage pregnancies) 2) Advocacy Road-map	Toll free service delivery telephone line to facilitate public input, comments and concerns	3yr M&E impact assessment
SUB PROGRAMME 3: STRENGTHENING OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS MAINSTREAMING CAPABILITIES IN GOVERNMENT
Measurable Objective	Outputs	Indicators	2005/06 KRAS	2006/07 KRAS	2007/08 KRAS	2008/09 KRAS
To strengthen strategic children’s rights management and leadership capability in Government – towards the achievement of organisational cohesion.	Improved performance of State in the children’s rights sector	Improvement in leadership and management of the National Children’s Rights Programme at all spheres of Government Baseline Information: Insufficient children’s rights leadership and management at all spheres of Government	Introductory training modules for children’s rights: Mainstreaming Policy analysis M&E Coordination of integrated implementation	1) Experiential Modules for: Mainstreaming Policy Analysis M&E Coordination Advocacy Capacity building Assertiveness 2) Children’s rights capacity building workshops for Project Consolidated related District Municipalities	1) Advanced Training on: Mainstreaming Policy Analysis M&E Coordination 2) Agreement with SAMDI re accredited specialist training programme on Mainstreaming, Policy Analysis, M&E and Coordination of integrated policy implementation	3 yrs impact assessment of the ORC’s capacity building programme. Accredited Children’s Rights Leadership and Management Training Programme

SECTION E: RESOURCE PLAN - AS PER THE PRESIDENCY’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2005 / 09

BRANCH, UNIT & SUB UNIT	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
	R’000			TOTAL
PCAS CHIEF DIRECTORATE: PROGRAMMES Office on the Rights of the Child	3, 524	3, 706	3, 891	11, 021

SECTION F: ORC OPERATIONAL PLAN 2006 / 07

THE PRESIDENCY – STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1:
"To strengthen strategic management and leadership capability to achieve organisational cohesion"

MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES

ACTIVITIES/ STEPS

STANDARDS

KEY PERFOMANCE
INDICATORS

RESPONSIBLE PERSON

RISKS

CONTINGENCIES

To entrench the under-standing in Government that child survival, protection and development is central to national prosperity

1.1 Secure approval of the national children’s rights policy framework

1.2 Support collective GDC initiatives in the CD: Programs

1.3 Deliver on routine SMS obligations

Quantity

N/A

National Policy Framework for the Advancement & Coordination of Children’s Rights Delivery in South Africa

GDC projects

P. Mofokeng
M. Rantla

Supported by:
M. Matabane
J. Masekela
N. Ndara

Slow progression towards finalisation of the two policy frameworks

Acceleration of delivery on the policy frameworks

Quality

The anticipated policies will present broad principles for children’s rights mainstreaming, delivery and monitoring

Time

Cost

April 06 – March 2007

Printing
Policy awareness
Travel, venues and facilities, GDC initiatives

1.3 Follow-up on Minister’s engagement with FOSAD - by strengthening understanding on "children’s rights mainstreaming" at all spheres of Government

Quantity

Increasing number of CR Focal Points in the Offices of DGs

Non attendance at mainstreaming information meetings by managers in Government

Invitations to meetings to be send out through the offices of DG in The Presidency

Quality

This exercise aims to target persons at managerial level

Time

May – March 2007

Cost

Travel, acco-
mmodation, venue & facilities
Printing of a children’s rights main-streaming guide

1.4 Children’s rights mainstreaming in Project Consolidate related Municipalities

Quantity

Quality

Time

9 @ 1 per Province

It is envisaged that IDP processes will increasingly consider best interest of the child

April 06 – March o7

Travel & accommodation
Venue & facilities
Printing of a mainstreaming guide

Children’s rights budget allocations in IDP / Municipality Budget Plans

P. Mofokeng
D. Chabalala
M. Rantla

Supported by:
J. Masekela
N. Ndara

Slow progression towards full commitment to the children’s rights agenda in Government

Minister and DG’s intervention to be sought as and when this is necessary

Cost

1.5 Analyse evolving and existing policies to ensure sensitivity to children’s rights

Quantity

Policies relevant for the protection and development of vulnerable children

Analysis reports on: 1) the National Child Labour Action Plan 2) the Education White Paper 5 towards strengthening of the integrated ECD programme 3) the policy framework for vulnerable children and 4) the poverty eradication strategy

P. Mofokeng supported by
M. Rantla

Inadequate policy analysis competencies in the ORC

Sourcing of essential technical support

Quality

Policies targeted will have the potential of meaningful contribution to the shift of vulnerable children from second economy conditions to "access to first economy opportunities and resources"

Time

April – March 07

Cost

Technical support
Consultations within Gov, in civil society and with children at all spheres of society
Analysis reports

R 350 000

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2
To improve management, access and sharing of information

To improve management, access and sharing of CR related information

Annual ORC information sharing meetings with the children’s rights sector (Gov & Civil Society in Provinces – this will include the
create awareness on the approved policy in the sector – targeting relevant structures in Government, civil society and children sector

Quantity

Quality

Cost

Cost

9

These meetings with relevant Government and civil society structures will also focus on lessons learned and the value this knowledge will add in the National Children’s Rights Committee

April 06 – March 07

Travel, venues and facilities, acco-mmodation

R 76 000

Alignment regarding the understanding, interpretation and applications of National Children’s Rights Programme

M. Rantla and the three Deputy
Directors

Supported by:
J. Masekela
N. Ndara

Non envisaged

Not applicable

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 3
To coordinate, monitor, evaluate and communicate Government policies and programmes

3. To coordinate, monitor and evaluate delivery on the children’s rights Constitutional Mandate

(a)
Monitor delivery on children’s rights commitments in the GPOA, the Child Labour Action Plan and other Government priority programmes in the children’s sector

Quantity

Quarterly and year end reports

Progress reports
Annual children’s rights report

K. Kgothadi
Supported by:

M. Rantla
J. Masekela
N. Ndara
M. Matabane

Delay in submission of reports by Provincial and Local ORCs and Focal Points

Seek DG’s intervention where this is appropriate

Quality

M&E will focus on performance in both children’s rights service delivery and mainstreaming in Government

Time

July, October, January and April

Cost

On site verification visits
Documentation
Sectoral Annual Report

(b)
Facilitate collective
1) performance evaluation and planning of the National Children’s Rights Programme in the current year

Quantity

Quarterly performance tracking meetings and the annual evaluation meeting

Alignment in the sector regarding the under-
standing of the strengths, challenges and monitoring of children’s rights delivery – as well as continuous improvement strategies for the national children’s rights programme

Late attendance confirmations

Distribution in Dec. of the calendar of key dates for the National children’s Programme in the new year

Quality

ORCS and Focal Points at all spheres of Government attend the quarterly and annual evaluation meetings

Time

June, Sept. Dec. March

Cost

Documentation
Venues & facilities
Travel & accommodation
Telecommu-
nications
Regional initiative
Day of the African Child

Quantity

Rural communities in 9 Provinces

Rural community dialogue with the National Children’s rights Programme
Establishment of the ORC library

ORC – with the support of Key delivery Departments

Slow progression towards raising required additional funds for the purchase and equipment of the mobile unit

Early start on this initiative

Quality

Heighten community awareness on new opportunities and resources for child protection and development

Time

April – March 07

Cost

CR Mobile Unit & material
R1 450 000

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4
To foster nation building and give effect and impetus to the people’s contract

To build capacity in Government for the mainstreaming of a child centred governance approach

(a)
Conduct 2^nd of three annual mainstreaming training workshops

(b)
Commemoration of the National Children’s Day

©

Analysis of media reports on CR

Quantity

80 people

Enhanced confidence in the ORCs and Focal Point re mainstreaming of a child centred governance approach

Enhanced children’s awareness on selected children’s day commemoration theme

Media analysis reports for advocacy in Gov where this is appropriate

D. Chabalala

Supported by:
M. Rantla
P. Mofokeng
K. Kgothadi
J. Masekela
M. Matabane
N. Ndara

D. Chabalala
M. Matabane

Supported by:
M. Rantla
K. Kgothadi
P. Mofokeng
N. Ndara
J. Masekela

M. Matabane

Supported by:
K. Kgothadi

Staff turnover and the loss of trained personnel

Delay in starting the process towards commemoration of the children’s day

Anecdotal media reports

Advocate for an effective staff retention programme

CD Programmes intervention to be sought

Snap surveys to determine facts where this is necessary

Quality

Training also focuses on policy analysis, monitoring & evaluation, and
coordination of integrated policy implementation

Time

September

Cost

Quantity

Quality

Cost

Quantity

Quality

Cost

Documentation
Venue and facilities
Material
Travel and accommodation

30 000

Representation of children from all Provinces – especially areas in the Main event.

Provincial events targeting representation of children from all Districts

Transport for children
Catering
Printing
Travel
All other related expenses

Daily for weekly reports

Delivery on – and violations of CR

Purchase of newspapers

R950 000

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5
To enhance the integrated approach to governance for accelerated service delivery

Integrated protection and development of vulnerable children

Facilitate a process that aims to develop a broad policy framework for the protection and development of vulnerable children in SA

Quantity

Quality

Cost

N/A

This policy aims to focus on the different categories of vulnerabilities of children

Workshops, documentation, consultations and R80 000

Comprehensive National Policy Framework for the Protection and Development of Vulnerable Children in SA

k. Kgothadi

Slow progression towards consolidation of information

Acceleration of collaboration with relevant Departments

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6:
To support, develop and consolidate initiatives for building a better Africa and a better world

Advocacy for – and promotion of children’s rights in the Region and the world

Quantity

Quality

Cost

Quantity

Quality

Cost

Quantity

Quality

Cost

N/A

This forum will consolidate the Regional vision, plan and implementation of ECD

Travel, accommodation, venues and facilities, documentation

5000 children

Partnership with civil society

Event

5 thematic children’s rights groups of 10

Study groups will include Municipalities and civil society

Travel, accommodation and Subsistence & Travelling Allowance

R800 000

Social cohesion in SADC

Enhanced awareness in SA on the "AU Day of the African Child"

Enhanced confidence to deliver on the Constitutional mandate

M. Rantla and the National CR Advisory Council

Supported by:
P. Mofokeng
D. Chabalala
K. Kgothadi
M. Matabane
J. Masekela
N. Ndara

Financial difficulty for member States to attend meetings

Financial support

Minister’s support to be sought towards effort by the
ORC in partnership with member States to mobilise essential resources

Minister’s support to be sought to enable
ORC and Advisory Council to mobilise resources

R 3 706 000