Policy and procedures

The babies and toddlers at Princess Alice Adoption Home are consented for adoption, abandoned, or temporarily removed from their family unit, awaiting a court decision. All are assigned to a social worker who works to provide the best possible future within the confines of the law. We do not discuss the children’s backgrounds with volunteers and ask that any acquired information pertaining to the children is kept strictly confidential. The Child Care Act of 1983 that is used when going through the Children’s Court, emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of all children.

Do’s

Do wash your hands before engaging with any of the babies. Some are only a few days old and prone to infection or illness. Continue to wash your hands throughout the day.

Do play with the babies and talk to them for stimulation.

Do ask for permission to take children into the garden. Small babies are not permitted to go outside. Older ones benefit from some exposure to the sun. Please make sure to apply sun tan lotion or hats or provide shade with available umbrellas if staying outside for an extended period of time.

Do ask the nursery staff which bottle is for which baby when feeding. Each child has its own nutritional requirements. Feeding a child from the wrong bottle could cause harm.

Do ask for permission to take photographs. If given permission by the manager, we ask that photographing be done in a sensitive manner and that pictures depicting the faces of the children be avoided.

Don’ts

Don’t purchase or provide any food or drink for the children without obtaining permission from the manager.

Don’t discipline the children verbally or physically. If troubled by certain behaviour, please tell the on duty team leader.

Don’t take any child off the property. If you would like to take a child out for a walk or a pram ride, you must request permission from the manager and stay within the boundaries assigned.

Don’t administer any type of medication or first aid. If you notice a problem, report it to the team leader. She is trained to take necessary action or may consult with our nursing sister if needed.

Don’t administer any alternative therapies or massage on the babies without permission from the nursing sister or manager.

Don’t visit the Home if you are ill.

Don’t wake sleeping children unless instructed to do so by the nursery staff.

Don’t change nappies. If a baby needs a nappy change, ask a staff member to change the nappy.

Don’t touch a bleeding child. If a child sustains a bleeding injury while in your care, report it immediately to the team leader. There is a high rate of HIV infection in South Africa and as a result we may very possibly care for some children who are HIV positive. Please take universal precuation and do not touch a bleeding child unless you have surgical gloves on. Additionally, don’t touch a child if you are bleeding. Ask the staff to dress the wound appropriately.