Founded in 1904, the ACVV is the oldest welfare organisation in South Africa, with a proud legacy of more than a century of service to families and children in need. The organisation operates through a National Council and Head Office (NPO 002 834), with 115 branches across four provinces and over 220 service programmes spanning five focus areas.
The ACVV is one of only a few designated child protection organisations (DCPOs) in South Africa, meaning it is authorised under the Children’s Act to render the full scope of child protection services — from prevention programmes through to statutory intervention. It is also accredited by the Department of Social Development to render national adoption services, making it a trusted, long-established route for families exploring adoption as a path to parenthood.
For individuals and couples considering adoption, the ACVV’s social workers guide prospective parents through screening, preparation, and the legal placement process, with the child’s best interests at the centre of every decision. The national head office is based in Zonnebloem, Cape Town, with branch-level services available across the country.
Today a multicultural organisation, the ACVV’s motto — “Together in Service of the Community” — reflects its people-centered approach to family welfare.