Official reply:12/10/11
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 692/2011
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 02 September 2011
Internal question paper no: 27
692. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1) Whether she intends introducing amending legislation to the Older
Persons Act, Act 13 of 2006, regarding the qualifications of
caregivers employed at old-age homes; if not, why not; if so, what are
the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has any (a) specifications or (b) manuals
about what is to be expected of such caregivers; if not, why not; if
so, where can these specifications/manuals be obtained;
(3) whether there are accredited institutions that provide training for
such caregivers; if not, why not; if so, where are these institutions;
(4) whether institutions accredited with the State Information Technology
Agency (Sita) as being able to give home-based care training are
sufficient to train people as caregivers in old-age homes; if not, why
not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW743E
REPLY:
1) No, the Department of Social Development has no intention to amend the
Older Persons Act, Act 13 of 2006, regarding the qualification of
caregivers employed in residential facilities. Section 17(i) of the
Older Persons Act 13, of 2006 (Annexure A), makes provision for
caregivers working in residential facilities to receive prescribed
training.
The training should be accredited by the South African Qualification
Authority. Provision is given to caregivers who have been employed
before the Act took effect on 1 April 2011, to undergo accredited
training within two years of the promulgation date. Presently the care
givers are trained by different service providers on the different
unit standards as per the needs of the organizations.
2) Yes, the Department of Social Development has developed the training
manual for caregivers at different levels. The manual is presently in
the process of being accredited with the assistance of Health and
Welfare Seta (HWSETA). The manual, among others, will train care
givers in understanding the process of ageing, providing care to frail
older persons and caring for the carers. Prior learning will be taken
into recognition.
HWSETA will give guidance on whether to link the training manual for
caregivers with the already existing qualifications or recognize it as
a new qualification for caregivers. The draft manual is not yet
available on the website of the Department because it has to be
accredited first.
3) No, there are no accredited institutions but only accredited service
providers that provide training for caregivers. The Department has
used their services in various fields such as HIV/AIDS.
4) Yes, the service providers are accredited with State Information
Technology Agency (Sita) and others with Health and Welfare Seta
(HWSETA). They are sufficient and have enough capacity to offer
training to caregivers in old age homes.