Protea Child and Youth Care Centre is situated at Blackthorn Avenue, Forest Hill, Gqeberha. It was established in 1948 during the apartheid regime. Initially, the centre accommodated white children only. In 1994, the transformation of the child and youth care system was initiated. This resulted in children being placed at residential facilities according to their age and not race. Today, Protea Child and Youth Care Centre is totally transformed and continues to render services to the diverse population of children residing within the Eastern Cape.

Protea Child and Youth Care Centre runs a temporary safe care program and caters for a maximum of 50 children between the ages of 6-12 years.
Children are placed at the centre by the children's court according to Section 150 of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005. These children have been found to be in need of care and protection. These include children who have been abused, neglected, or orphaned.