JISS (Johannesburg Institute of Social Services) - Child Welfare

Who JISS is

The Johannesburg Institute of Social Services is a registered NPO (000-850), Section 18A PBO (930008013), and designated Child Protection Organisation (CPO: 12/2/2/8/80) — carrying the full weight of statutory child protection responsibilities. It is non-denominational, non-racist, and non-sexist, and explicitly identifies itself as a B-BBEE Level 2 organisation that has championed human rights and social justice since its founding, including during the apartheid period.

It operates from two centres: - JISS Centre Mayfair — Corner Battery Street and Queens Road, Mayfair, Johannesburg (main centre) - JISWA Centre Lenasia — 5 Suikerbos Street, Lenasia Extension 3 (serves Lenasia and surrounding communities including Vlakfontein, Lenasia South, Zakariyya Park, and the broader Region G area)

Child protection and statutory work

JISS is the primary NGO in both Mayfair and Lenasia dealing with child neglect, child abuse, and family problems affecting children. The statutory work includes:

Assessments and investigations — social workers assess children who have been identified as being at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Risk assessments determine the level and nature of intervention required under the Children's Act.

Child placement — temporary safe care, foster care, and children's homes when a child cannot safely remain at home.

Foster care services — screening prospective foster parents, placement, and ongoing supervision of foster care arrangements.

Family reunification — reuniting children with biological families where safety can be established.

Grant and document referrals — assisting families with applications for social grants and identity documents — practical support that underpins access to all other services.

The social work team comprises: a Social Work Manager, seven Social Workers, two Social Auxiliary Workers, administrative staff, ten trained volunteers, and ten students.

Counselling and Trauma Unit

JISS views access to mental health care as a human rights issue. Its Counselling and Trauma Unit (managed by Zoya Naidoo) delivers community psychology explicitly designed to reach people who would otherwise have no access to psychological services — specifically addressing the historical inequalities in mental health provision that have made such services the preserve of the privileged.

The unit provides:

• Individual, family, and group counselling — addressing trauma, GBV, loss, relationships, parenting, and the full range of psychosocial challenges
• Trauma containment — using two evidence-based body-focused modalities: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing — internationally recognised for trauma, PTSD, and sexual assault) and TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises — somatic release of held trauma in the body)
• Psychological assessments — intellectual assessment, basic functioning assessment, kinetic figure drawing assessment (particularly useful for children and adolescents)
• Mental health screening — identifying mental health challenges early and linking to appropriate care
• Psycho-education and training — building community understanding of mental health, trauma responses, and GBV
• Referral — to psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other resources when specialist or clinical input is needed

Access to the Counselling and Trauma Unit is typically through a social worker referral — contact either centre first.

For GBV survivors specifically

GBV survivors in Mayfair or Lenasia can: - Walk in or phone either centre to connect with a social worker - Receive a protective intervention if children are also at risk - Access counselling and trauma therapy including EMDR for sexual trauma - Be referred to shelters, legal advice (Legal Aid SA, LHR), protection orders and other services - Access practical support (grants, IDs, court processes)

Community programmes and additional services

JISS runs community awareness, prevention, and education programmes across Mayfair and Lenasia — including 16 Days of Activism events, Child Protection Week activities, Mandela Day programmes, and the Kinga Watoto ("Let's Protect Them") volunteer child protection programme.

Senior Citizens Luncheon Clubs provide social connection for older persons — an important intervention given that elderly women are also GBV-vulnerable.

JISWA Profound Unit (010 443 3990) is a specialist unit at the Lenasia centre serving children and young people with profound disabilities — recognising that disabled children face heightened abuse risk and require specialist responses.

JISS Mayfair: jiss.org.za / 011 837 4151/2 / jiss@telkomsa.net / Corner Battery Street and Queens Road, Mayfair. JISWA Lenasia: 011 852 6016/7 / jisslenasia@telkomsa.net / 5 Suikerbos Street, Lenasia Ext 3. CPO + NPO + Section 18A PBO. Child protection, statutory work, trauma counselling (EMDR/TRE), community psychology. GBV crisis: 0800 428 428 (toll-free, 24/7).