Prevention
We need to focus on the root causes of family-child separation, while strengthening child protection systems and supporting children’s transition from institutional care to community- and family-based alternative care.
One of the main reasons of family separation is poverty, therefore many children who live in institutions are 'economic orphans'. This means their parents are too poor to care for them. However, studies have shown that children are better off growing up in a poor family, than in an institution—even if they are fed and educated. In institutions, children just don’t receive the individual time and attention they deserve and need.
Many well-meaning orphanage leaders accept children who have parents. They allow single parents to place their children with them, instead of providing family-strengthening programs that would help children stay home.
But the States Parties to the present Convention on the Rights of the Child recognize that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. Therefore we need to support families and communities.
They are also convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community.
LET'S SUPPORT FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES!
Let's redirect support
By supporting families and communities, when make sure that a lot of children can grow up with their families.
The importance of family- and community strengthening is to prevent separation and to help ensure successful reunification or transition into reliable alternative family care when separation has occurred. The critical role of gatekeeping in order to assess the best care options on an individual basis and to reduce unnecessary placement in orphanages.
If you are engaged with an institution, like an orphanage, and you are, just like us, convinced that children belong in families, then we like to congratulate you.
The first step to take is with having a conversation with the organisation you support, that runs the institution. Share with them your new insights.
egin an ethical and sustainable divestment strategy to redirect support to promote family and community based-care alternatives, or programs that promote the long term best interests of the child.
Reintegration to a FAMILY HOME
Reintegration is the process of transitioning a child back to his or her immediate or extended family and community. It is a multilayered series of actions that seeks to ensure family placements are safe and successful for the long-term.
An average of 80% of all children in residential care globally have at least one living parent or other family members. In many cases, these family members could care for their child(ren) if given the right support.
Reintegration of a child back into his or her birth family is considered the best option for children leaving residential care—but only if and when it is deemed safe and appropriate after thorough child and family assessments.
Reunification, however, is much more complex than simply placing a child in afamily, even his own, if the family lacks the support it needs to be successful,and particularly when a child has been institutionalised and separated fromfamily for a long period of time. There are 5 essential steps to take. Learn more about the steps here, on the website of Faith to Action Initiative.
When reuniting a child with his or her birth family is determined to be unsafe or not in the best interests of a child at any stage in the process, then alternative forms of family care, like kinship care, foster care, or adoption, should be considered.
Family First
A Continuum of Care
The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recognizes the role of parents, and the State in caring for children. This is mentioned in articles 5, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, and 27.
The type of family-and community-based care that will be most appropriate will depend on the needs of the child, the society’s traditional care practices, and the available resources. A Continuum of Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children provides an overview of a range of alternative care options for children who have been separated from parental care.
In keeping with research and evidence-based guidance on the importance of family in the life of a child, the continuum places a high priority on family care while also recognizing the role that temporary residential care and small group homes can play in the spectrum of options to meet individual situations and needs.
The organisation Faith to Action Initiative has several resources to learn more.
The Continuum of Care Interactive Graphic
The Continuum of Care Interactive Graphic is designed by Faith to Action Initiative and we use it a lot. It gives an overview of the different types of care that come into play when a child is separated from family care. Multiple pathways illustrate the uniqueness of children’s circumstances and journeys—no single pathway or type of care can meet the needs of every child. A full range of approaches, as well as sound decision making (known as gatekeeping) and strong family support services (including prevention of separation) are needed to ensure the best outcomes for all orphans and vulnerable children.
We added independent living and Kafalah of Islamic Law to the Alternative Family Care part of the original graphic.
The Reintegration Process
Reintegration begins with reassessing both the root causes of separation between a child and his or her family, and the current circumstances of the family. In cases where a child has lost contact with the family and the family’s location is unknown, this process begins by tracing the family with the help of trained case workers, media outreach, site visits to the community of origin, and consultation with local authorities.
Family reintegration is not a one-time event. It requires extensive collaboration to determine if placement is in the child’s best interests, identifying and facilitating appropriate family-strengthening services, preparing the child and family, supervising pre-placement communication and visits to encourage connection, and offering regular post-placement follow-up support.
