Sam anxiously awaited the day he could reunite with his family. After spending years in a Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC), the thought of returning home was both thrilling and daunting. While reintegration is a positive and encouraged process, it comes with challenges that should not be overlooked. What are the unseen costs of reintegration, and how do they impact the lives of these vulnerable children?

Reintegration, as defined by the Faith to Action Initiative, is the process of a separated child transitioning back to their immediate or extended family and community. It offers significant benefits, such as promoting family reunification, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting healing from past trauma.

In Sam’s case, the initial goal was merely to reconnect him with his grandmother. One of our social workers, Simphiwe Mthonbeni, recounted: “I didn’t expect any positive outcome, as Sam had previously suffered rejection from a former foster family, and I was worried about the emotional confusion it would cause.” However, Sam not only reconnected with his grandmother but also gained a clear sense of belonging. While he enjoys visiting her, he considers The Almond Tree—a nonprofit providing a place of safety for child and youth care—to be his true home. The key to this successful reintegration was Sam’s ability to articulate his feelings, expressing to the magistrate that he valued his visits but felt most secure with his caregiver at The Almond Tree.

While stories like Sam’s highlight the successes of reintegration, it’s important to understand the common challenges that accompany this process. In my experience working with The Almond Tree, I’ve witnessed the emotional trauma and stress that can emerge. We can never be fully certain of the readiness of both the child and the receiving family, which risks re-victimizing the child and causing further harm.

These challenges often manifest in the children’s behaviors. Some return with exciting stories to share, while others barely speak about their experiences. Their behavior can reflect what they’ve been through—some become uncontrollably violent or disrespectful, while others shut down completely.

Simphiwe shared insights on these difficulties: “One of the main challenges is the change in routine and house rules. Children tend to get confused, as the way The Almond Tree operates is very different from the families they return to. Another challenge is the lack of resources—while The Almond Tree provides for every need, some families don’t have much to offer. In some cases, children struggle to adjust back to their homes and caregivers, making the process even more difficult.”

She also addressed situations where reintegration might not be in the child’s best interest. “It’s difficult because, most of the time, the reason I took them out of that place is the same thing they’ll experience again,” she admitted. “And we don’t win these cases in court because the child has spoken—they want to go back to their mom despite the abuse and neglect. The only thing the court will suggest is to assist the family, but it’s a tough situation to handle.”

So how can we improve the reintegration process? Simphiwe emphasized the importance of preparation for both the child and the family. “In cases where the family has nothing, we need to come up with a plan, similar to how The Almond Tree assists families with food and other essential needs when sending the kids there. External social workers should thoroughly check everyone in the household receiving the child, analyzing their mental health and living conditions to ensure everyone is ready to welcome the child back into their lives.”

Collaboration with various departments is also crucial. “This is why it’s so important for me to value these relationships,” Simphiwe explained, “to ensure smooth resolutions to cases.” Building strong connections with the police, hospitals, and attending case conferences and forums for child protection provides comprehensive support for each case, addressing all aspects of a child’s well-being during reintegration.

For those who have previously served as holiday parents, it’s essential to be prepared for the possibility of taking in the child again. Simphiwe advises, “Preparation starts now—don’t wait until you have a child in the house to start preparing. Include them in your home environment even before they arrive. If you have pictures of you with the child, put them up. This helps create a sense of belonging and familiarity. Treat them as if they are at home; don’t give them guest treatment. It’s important to make them feel like they are part of the family, not just a visitor.”

As someone who once viewed reintegration in a negative light, conducting this research and interviewing Simphiwe has given me a new perspective. Although it’s never a perfectly prepared process, it’s important to acknowledge both the costs and benefits of reintegration. There’s much that needs improvement, such as policies and proper resources for families. However, I believe there are incredible people out there working tirelessly for the benefit of vulnerable children.

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