Directive Relating to Child Protection Response during COVID-19 (Government Notice 120 of 2020)

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Namibian Constitution
Government Gazette no. 7214
This is the latest version of this legislation.
Coat of Arms
Namibian Constitution

Directive Relating to Child Protection Response during COVID-19

Government Notice 120 of 2020

  • Published in Government Gazette no. 7214 on 15 May 2020
  • Assented to on 12 May 2020
  • Commenced on 15 May 2020
  • [Up to date as at 9 April 2021]
Under regulation 14(1) and (3) of the State of Emergency - Covid-19 Regulations published under Proclamation No. 9 of 28 March 2020, with the authorisation of the President and the approval of the Attorney-General, I issue the directive set out in the Schedule.D. SiokaMinister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare

1. Definitions

In this directive, a word or expression to which a meaning has been given in the Regulations or the Act has that meaning, and unless the context indicates otherwise -"cluster" means the cluster on Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare in the Office of the Vice President;"designated social worker" means a control social worker, a chief social worker, a senior social worker or a social worker listed in Annexure 1 to this directive;"national level supervisor" means a control social worker, or a person designated by the cluster as such;"the Act" means the Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015); and"the Regulations" means the State of Emergency - Covid-19 Regulations published under Proclamation No. 9 of 28 March 2020.

2. Purpose of this directive

The purpose ofthis directive is to:(a)provide a general framework on how to deal with children in an emergency situation, taking into account their physical and psychological vulnerabilities and associated risks;(b)address challenges and provide guidance on how to respond to child related cases of Covid-19; and(c)ensure effective and efficient coordination and management of child protection services during the Covid-19 state of emergency.

3. The response plan

(1)The cluster is the overall lead in child protection.
(2)There will be two complementary parallel response streams for child protection, one at the national level and one at the regional level.
(3)The national level must provide guidance, support and supervision to regional level teams of social workers and administrative officers.
(4)Designated social workers in all the 14 regions must lead the response after they receive a direct referral for child protection from a stakeholder or a community member.
(5)Designated social workers must manage direct referrals for child protection and ensure timely and effective linkages to services.
(6)The cluster must undertake its role as the overall lead in all cases involving child protection in accordance with:(a)the Act;(b)relevant Case Management Processes; and(c)the applicable Standard Operating Procedures that are in place.
(7)National level supervisors must provide supportive supervision and guidance on integrative services and management to assist with the effective rolling out of sustainable and harmonised systems of care services for children.
(8)The payment of state grants referred to in Chapter 16 ofthe Act that are currently in existence must continue.
(9)For the purposes of sub-directive (8), service providers at pay points must ensure that relevant prevention services in terms of section 130 ofthe Act are applied.

4. Procedures for referral of children

(1)The first point of response to children in need of protective services is the 116 or 106 helplines or reporting the matter to the nearest police station.
(2)A helpline official or a police officer must connect the reported case to a designated social worker who must manage the case in accordance with the provision of the Act.
(3)The cluster must assign a designated social worker for each region to oversee all cases of children in that region who are 18 years of age or less and in need of protective measures in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Act.
(4)The national level supervisors must immediately inform the Director of Child Care and Protection about specific emergency cases that require special interventions such as:(a)households without any parental supervision or child headed households;(b)children living and working on the street;(c)children who are infected with the COVID-19; and(d)households with children in need of nutritional support or any emergency assistance during the State of Emergency period.

5. Acute cases

(1)A designated social worker must immediately refer an acute case to the Director of Child Care and Protection.
(2)For the purposes of this directive, a case is an acute case if the parents of a child have been removed for isolation purposes or the parents of a child have passed away due to Covid-19 infection.

Annexure 1

The cluster

Contact details for social services from Gender Equality, Poverty and Eradication Social Welfare Cluster

Name & Surname Region/office Position Telephone no
National Coordinator
Mrs H. Andjamba, Director Child Care and Protection, 0811295219
Khomas Region
Ms. C. Manghono Khomas Control Social worker 0812430744
Ms. L. Uiras Windhoek Chief Social Worker 0812489383
Mr. B. Kaverua ASC Senior Social Worker 0812417901/ 0814786574
Ms. E. Viall G.B.P.V.U Social Worker 0812291024
Ms. C. Kavita Head Office Social Worker 0813413502
Ms. S. Shaamena Head office Social Worker 0814882941
Ms. G. Simasiku ASC Social Worker 0816605289
Mrs. A. Mupupa G.B.P.V.U Social Worker 0816605279
Ms. P. Shipunda G.B.P.V.U Social Worker 0813788249
Ms. M. Aipinge Otjomuise Social Worker 0816056578
Ms. P. Feris ASC Social Worker 0814683683
Hardap Region
Ms. C. Manghono Hardap Control Social Worker 0812430744
Ms. S. Muhinda Mariental Senior Social worker 0813388269
Ms. L. Paulus Gibeon Social worker 0812352739
Ms. H. Indongo Rehoboth Social worker 0818065301
Ms. S. Uuwanga Rehoboth Social worker 0813418942
Ms. M. Kuume Mariental Social worker 0816707711
Erongo Region
Ms. B. Nshimyimana Erongo Control Social worker 0812374468
Ms. M. Ricther (Supervisor) Erongo Senior Social Worker 0812564733
Ms. A. Baard Swakopmund Social Worker 0814294703
Ms. M. N. Chingwaramusee Walvis Bay Social Worker 0814205850
Ms. C. Mutwamezi Walvis Bay Social Worker 0813362197
Ms. E. Tjazuko Omaruru Social Worker 0813362197
Omaheke Region
Ms. B. Nshimyimana Omaheke Control Social worker 0812374468
Ms. C. Muna (Supervisor) Gobabis Social worker 0813505515
Ms. Kiimbi Namvula Otjinene Social worker 0813731214
Zambezi Region
Ms. B. Nshimyimana Zambezi Control Social worker 0812374468
Mr. Dennis Matomola (Supervisor) Zambezi Senior Social worker 0816119760
Ms. S. Sinalumbu Kabbe Social Worker 0814474883
Ms. M. Mafuya Linyanti Social Worker 0816865449
Ms. M. Matengu Katima Mulilo Social Worker 0816188414
Mr. G. Chetika Katima Maulilo Social Worker 0816589944
!Karas Region
Ms. A. Musukubili ! Karas Control Social worker 0812808407
Ms. M. Forbes Keetmanshoop Senior Social worker 0814790907
Ms. A. Skrywer Luderitz Social worker 0816325795
Mr. H. Gaogoseb Karasburg Social worker 0817718779
Otjozondjupa
Ms. A. Musukubili ! Karas Control Social worker 0812808407
Ms. M. Swartz Grootfontein Senior Social worker 0813915212
Ms. S. Muharukua Okahandja Social worker 0816605159
Ms. H. Petrus Okakarara Social worker 0814838890
Oshana Region
Ms. R. Pelema Oshana Control Social worker 0812328671
Ms. L. Iipinge Ogwendiva Chief Social worker 0813078001
Ms. J. Handele Ogwendiva Senior Social worker 0813670793
Ms. L. Endjala Ogwendiva Senior Social worker 0812947396
Ms. L. Alfeus Ondangwa Social worker 0818501444
Ms. I. Dawid Oshakati West & Ompundja Social worker 0812399516
Ms. L. Shaningwa Ongwediva & Uuvudhuya Social worker 0812874057
Ms. S. Kakili Okatana Social worker 0813325165
Ms. P. Newaka Oshakati East & Uukwiyu Social worker 0813051311
Ohangwena Region
Ms. R. Pelema Ohangwena Control Social Worker 0812328671
Ms. D. Tshivolo Eenhana Chief Social worker 0812482386
Ms. A. Valombola Eenhana Senior Social worker 0816363248
Ms. E. Nhinda Eenhana Senior Social worker 0812452620
Ms. V. Ashiyana Eenhana Social worker 0814423090
Ms. M. Wanailonga Okongo Social worker 0814659313
Ms. F. Shilongo Ondobe Social worker 0855856568
Ms. M. Nambambi Oshikango Social worker 0812149290
Ms. T. Ailonga Ohangwena Social worker 0814990098
Ms. F. Kagola Ongenga Social worker 0815630116
Mr. A. Sheefeni Endola Social worker 0812043353
Omusati Region
Ms. B. Mukulu Omusati Control Social worker 0812310145
Ms. K. Kapata Omusati Chief Social worker 0812447310
Ms. M. Hailonga GBVPSU Outapi & Ogongo Social worker 0818796794
Ms. J. Kashea GBVPUS & Outapi Social worker 0813929230
Ms. M. Uutoni Anamulenge& Okalongo Social worker 0812421818
Ms. M. Aiyambo Oshikuku & Etayi Social worker 0813289045
Mr. I. Kuliwoye Elim Social worker 0811558045
Ms. A. Hamunyela Okahao & Otamanzi Social worker 0814032937
Ms. M. Kamati Tsandi Social worker 0813519211
Ms. E. Shilumbu Onesi & Ruacana Social worker 0812911503
Kunene Region
Ms. B. Mukulu Omusati Control Social worker 0812310145
Ms. J. Namundjebo Kunene Senior Social Worker 0811682002
Ms. N. Simataa Opuwo Social worker 0813109894
Mr. N. Shitalangaho Khorixas Social worker 0816185734
Ms. D. Katumbe Outjo Social worker 0812011226
Ms. Potrix Lamberth Kamanjab Social worker 0813844948
Oshikoto Region
Ms. R. Kamuingona Oshikoto Control Social worker 0811434797
Ms. A. Bosch Omuthiya Chief Social worker 0813186716
Ms. Frieda Kadhepa Omuthiya Senior Social worker 0813820158
Ms. A. Valombola Tsumeb Social worker 0813809124
Ms. Helena David Guinas Social worker 0816103821
Ms. Sylvia Nangolo Onayena Social worker 0812289506
Ms. Julia Nekongo Onyaanya Social worker 0816286143
Ms. Josephine Idipo Oniipa Social worker 0816128169
Lydia Shipuata Oniipa Social worker 0812628834
Kavango East Region
Ms. R. Kamuingona Oshikoto Control Social worker 0811434797
Ms. B. Simbaranda Rundu Senior Social worker 0814855404
Ms. Joyce Simataa Rundu Senior Social worker 0812280245
Mr. Augustinus Tjikuzu Ndonga Linena Social worker 0812699182
Ms. Stella Mwazi Rundu rural Social worker 0817519869
Ms. Trudy Mushetu Omashare Social worker 0813859997
Ms. Teclar Nsozi Mukaya WACPU-Rundu Social worker 0816863154
Ms. Mwangala Mutau Ndiyona Social worker 0813465456
Ms. Meriam Kauma Rundu-Urban Social worker 0814039483
Ms. Masiye Muyalapapi Rundu - WACPU Social worker 0817436443
Kavango West Region
Ms. R. Kamuingona Oshikoto Control Social worker 0811434797
Ms. B. Mwiya Nkurenkuru Chief Social worker 0812896655
Ms. R. Luthuhezi Nkurenkuru Senior Social worker 0811515888
Mr. M. Nairenge Nkurenkuru Social worker 0812881625
Ms. Penehafo Mupuma Nkurenkuru Social worker 0812051176
Ms. Mirjam Agapitus Mpungu Social worker 0816492396
Ms. Livius Haikola Ncuncuni Social worker 0814466466
Mr. Zeba Mufuta Musese Social worker 0812032702
Mr. Toivo Hausiku Kapako Social worker 0812800080
Namibia Children’s Home
Ms. H. Siamwanda Windhoek Chief Children’s Home Superintendent 0812502767
Ms. J. Manale Windhoek Senior Children’s Home Superintendent 0815788840
Ms. A. Tubayunga Windhoek Social worker 0818050471
Ms. I. Louw Windhoek Chief Social worker 0818343525
After School Centre
After School Centre
Maggy Katimba		 Windhoek Senior Children’s Home Superintendent 0812135662