Reintegrating a child is not as simple as just calling the parents and asking if they would like their child to return home. The situation that led parents to send their children to an orphanage is often still present, and the time a child has spent separated from family members can create relational distance and unfamiliarity. Both of these issues need to be addressed before a child can be reintegrated with their family.
What does this process look like?
Rooth Cause
Reintegration begins with reassessing both the root causes of separation between a child and their family, as well as the current circumstances of the family. In cases where a child has lost contact with their family and the family’s location is unknown, the process starts by tracing the family with the help of trained case workers, media outreach, site visits to the community of origin, and consultations with local authorities.
Collaboration
Family reintegration requires extensive collaboration with all stakeholders involved to determine if placement is in the child’s best interests. This includes 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.
The steps
Child-centered case management is a crucial approach to ensuring that reintegration is carried out effectively. This case management process considers reintegration for all children in residential care, regardless of age or special care needs. It is a delicate process, lacking a specific time frame and a one-size-fits-all approach.
Most importantly, all steps must be taken with the best interests of the child in mind.