Durban and Coastal Mental Health has 7 Day Care Centres which cater for 200 children with Intellectual Disabilities ranging from 6 to 35 years of age. The Centres are based in the communities of Amaoti, Durban North, Kwa Ximba, Mpumalanga Ninikhona in Ndwedwe, Nyangwini in Mthwalume, and Phoenix. The Day Care Programme provides appropriate intervention, support and rehabilitation to children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities so that they can live a meaningful and dignified life.
Children from the Centres have Severe Physical Disabilities which include amongst others, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hypotonic, Quadriplegia, Hydrocephalic, Blindness and Deafness, and Profound Learning Disabilities such as Poor Concentration skills and Cognitive ability, Attention Disorder and Speech Impairments.
The Centre provides a safe environment, quality Day Care and a structured programme that encourage children to develop to their full potential within the limitation of their disability.
Day Care Programme achieves the following:
- A nutritious meal – both breakfast and lunch 5 days a week.
- Stimulation, education and psychosocial rehabilitation.
- Counselling and rehabilitation services by a social work practitioner.
- Awareness campaigns to promote the rights of individuals with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities.
- Training for parents and caregivers to enable them to continue the programme of activities and goals at home; we provide a 6 monthly assessment report of the child to the parents and caregivers.
- Capacity building of staff. Transport to and from the Centre.