Call for Proposals: After School Care Services Programme (South Africa)

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is inviting eligible non-profit organisations to apply for funding to provide After School Care Services under its Partial Care sub-programme. The programme supports services for vulnerable children aged 6–18 years, focusing on nutrition, education, life skills, counselling, and family support, with priority given to selected rural communities and Metro North in the Western Cape.

About the After School Care Services Funding Programme

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has launched a funding opportunity for eligible non-profit organisations (NPOs) to deliver After School Care Services through the Partial Care sub-programme.

The programme is designed to strengthen child protection and family support services by partnering with civil society organisations that provide structured after-school programmes for children from low-income households.

The initiative aims to improve children’s educational outcomes, personal development, safety, and overall well-being while strengthening the capacity of organisations delivering community-based child care services.

Programme Objectives

The funding programme aims to:

• Improve access to quality after-school care for vulnerable children.
• Provide safe and supportive environments after school hours.
• Support children’s educational development through homework assistance.
• Promote healthy lifestyles through nutrition and sports activities.
• Deliver life skills education and emotional support.
• Strengthen family participation in children’s development.
• Build the capacity and sustainability of After School Care organisations.
• Encourage collaboration between government and civil society organisations.

Funding Information

Funding is available to support eligible organisations delivering After School Care Services under the Partial Care sub-programme.

The grant supports organisations providing comprehensive services for eligible children and families in accordance with programme requirements and service standards.

Programme Priority Areas

Funded projects are expected to support one or more of the following:

• Nutrition programmes
• Homework support
• Sporting and recreational activities
• Life skills education
• Guidance and counselling services
• Parent and caregiver involvement
• Holiday programmes
• Management and administration of After School Care facilities
• Organisational development
• Governance strengthening
• Staff mentoring and capacity building
• Collaborative partnerships

Target Beneficiaries

The programme primarily supports:

• Children aged 6 to 18 years
• Children from families with a combined household income of R7,600 or less
• Vulnerable children requiring structured after-school support
• Families needing additional educational and social assistance

Geographic Priority Areas

Preference will be given to projects serving:

• Metro North
• Rural communities in the West Coast
• Eden Karoo

Funding priorities may vary depending on the specific intervention proposed.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs)
• Registered Non-Profit Companies (NPCs)
• Registered Trusts

Applicants must also:

• Hold a valid registration as a legal non-profit entity.
• Deliver After School Care Services under the programme.
• Demonstrate sound financial management systems.
• Maintain appropriate governance structures.
• Have suitable human resource policies and practices.
• Operate from a traceable physical street address.
• Meet financial reporting obligations.
• Comply with any previous funding requirements where applicable.

Additional Eligibility Requirements for After School Care Facilities

After School Care facilities must:

• Hold a valid Partial Care Registration Certificate issued under the Children’s Act 38 of 2005.
• Demonstrate compliance with minimum service standards.
• Meet programme operational requirements.

Requirements for Provincial Organisations

Provincial organisations with affiliated organisations must demonstrate that they have:

• Policies governing affiliated organisations.
• Procedures allowing them to assume responsibility for affiliates where necessary.

Who is Not Eligible?

Applications are unlikely to be considered if organisations:

• Do not hold the required legal registration.
• Fail to meet Partial Care registration requirements.
• Cannot demonstrate sound governance or financial management.
• Do not comply with previous funding obligations.
• Fail to satisfy programme compliance requirements.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

• Daily after-school supervision
• Educational support
• Nutritional assistance
• Sporting activities
• Recreational programmes
• Life skills training
• Counselling services
• Parent engagement initiatives
• Holiday programmes
• Governance improvement
• Organisational capacity development
• Staff mentoring
• Partnership-building initiatives

Why This Programme Matters

Children from economically disadvantaged families often require structured support beyond school hours to improve educational performance, social development, and overall well-being.

This programme helps community organisations provide safe environments where children can learn, receive nutritious meals, develop life skills, and access emotional support while reducing risks associated with unsupervised after-school periods.

How to Apply

Eligible organisations should follow these steps:

1. Confirm that the organisation is legally registered as an NPO, NPC, or Trust.
2. Ensure the After School Care facility holds a valid Partial Care Registration Certificate, where applicable.
3. Verify compliance with programme service standards.
4. Prepare all organisational governance and financial documents.
5. Demonstrate compliance with previous funding conditions if previously funded.
6. Complete the official funding application.
7. Submit all required supporting documentation before the application deadline.

Application Assessment

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Organisational eligibility
• Compliance with programme requirements
• Governance and financial management capacity
• Quality of proposed services
• Compliance with minimum service standards
• Previous funding performance (where applicable)
• Ability to deliver services effectively
• Alignment with programme priorities

Tips for Applicants

• Ensure all organisational registrations are current.
• Confirm that the Partial Care Registration Certificate is valid.
• Demonstrate strong governance and financial controls.
• Clearly explain how the project will benefit eligible children.
• Include evidence of organisational capacity and previous experience.
• Double-check that all required supporting documents are included before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this funding programme?

The programme supports non-profit organisations that provide After School Care Services for vulnerable children through the Western Cape Department of Social Development’s Partial Care sub-programme.

Who can apply?

Registered NPOs, NPCs, and Trusts that meet all programme requirements are eligible to apply.

Which children benefit from the programme?

The programme serves children aged 6–18 years from families with a combined household income of R7,600 or less.

Is Partial Care registration required?

Yes. After School Care facilities must hold a valid Partial Care Registration Certificate under the Children’s Act where applicable.

What services can be funded?

Funding supports nutrition, homework assistance, sports, counselling, life skills education, holiday programmes, parent engagement, organisational development, governance strengthening, and related After School Care services.

Which areas receive priority?

Priority is given to Metro North and rural communities in the West Coast and Eden Karoo, depending on programme needs.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are assessed on eligibility, organisational compliance, governance, financial management, service quality, previous funding performance, and alignment with programme objectives.

Conclusion

The Western Cape Department of Social Development After School Care Services Funding Programme provides an important opportunity for eligible non-profit organisations to expand quality after-school services for vulnerable children across the Western Cape. By supporting nutrition, education, life skills, counselling, and family engagement, the programme strengthens child development, promotes community well-being, and builds the long-term capacity of organisations delivering essential social services. Organisations that meet the eligibility and compliance requirements are encouraged to prepare comprehensive applications that demonstrate their ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for children and families.