Ending Child Institutionalization

The detrimental effects of institutionalization on a child’s well-being are widely documented. Family based care alternatives such as kinship or foster care, are much more effective in providing care and protection for a child, and are sustainable options until family reunification can take place. The use of residential care should be strictly limited to specific cases where it may be necessary to provide temporary, specialized, quality care in a small group setting organized around the rights and needs of the child in a setting as close as possible to a family, and for the shortest possible period of time. The objective of such placement should be to contribute actively to the child’s reintegration with his/her family or, where this is not possible or in the best interests of the child, to secure his/her safe, stable, and nurturing care in an alternative family setting or supported independent living as young people transition to adulthood.

Countries which have traditionally relied on residential care are now undergoing major transformations to their child care and social welfare policies, in order to move towards family and community based care options. Such transformations are rooted in the research-based evidence of the impact of institutionalization on a child’s development, vulnerability to abuse within residential care settings, and the institution's high operational costs. It is therefore of great concern that the use of residential care is increasing in developing countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS. Such projects are typically funded by foreign donors to the detriment of the local population, and pressure should be placed on the host governments to pursue policies of family based care rather than residential care.

The use of residential care should be strictly limited to specific cases where it may be necessary to provide temporary, specialized, quality care in a small group setting organized around the rights and needs of the child in a setting as close as possible to a family, and for the shortest possible period of time. The objective of such placement should be to contribute actively to the child’s reintegration with his/her family or, where this is not possible or in the best interests of the child, to secure his/her safe, stable, and nurturing care in an alternative family setting or supported independent living as young people transition to adulthood.

Where the separation of parents and child is long-term, the alternative care arrangement should be family based to give the child a sense of security, continuity, stability and belonging by providing certainty on where the child will live for the rest of childhood and who the child’s parents or legal guardians will be. Keeping siblings, cousins and close friends together should be an important consideration in placement decisions. Adolescents, who may find integration into a new family difficult, may benefit from placement in supported independent living arrangements. These arrangements should be fully integrated in the community to which the children belong, with a comparable standard of living.

Any child in a residential care setting must have their needs assessed and planned for, to enable them to return to their families as soon as possible. If a child has become separated from her family in an emergency, documentation, tracing and reunification activities should begin urgently. If a child has been removed from parental care for her safety, support services should be provided to the parents in order to facilitate the return of the child. Children must be kept fully informed and involved in any plans for their care, and encouraged to maintain contact with known relatives where possible.

Residential care services must adhere to stringent standards of documentation and care and be regularly monitored by protection workers to ensure the children have their safety, health, psychosocial, and educational needs met.

The literature in this section deals with examples of countries which are working to develop their child care policies away from using residential care to alternative family care options such as kinship care, fostering, and adoption.

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The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care: Final Report

Josh MacAlister, 01 May 2022

This report is a culmination of an independent review of the UK's care system in order to build recommendations for how the system can be improved and to continue feeding in a wide range of views. The work and outcomes of the review were guided by the views of people that have lived experience of the children’s social care system in the UK.

Briefing Note for Overseas Donors and Supporters of Privatized Faith-Based RCFs in Myanmar

Better Care Network, Kinnected, ACC International Relief, 01 May 2022

This briefing paper draws on data and findings from the Insights into the World of Privatized Faith-Based Residential Care Facilities in Myanmar research report.

Transitioning from Residential Care to Family Care in South Africa: Beautiful Gate Case Study

Faith to Action Initiative, 20 Apr 2022

This case study documents the successful transition of Beautiful Gate, a children's home in Cape Town, South Africa, from the orphanage model to a family-based and community-based approach.

Transitioning from Residential Care to Family Care in South Africa - Beautiful Gate Case Study: Communicating Change with Donors

Faith to Action Initiative, 20 Apr 2022

Engaging with key stakeholders is an essential part of any transition and must be handled with tact and wisdom. Located in South Africa, the organization Beautiful Gate began its ministry to protect street children and later grew to provide residential programs for children in need. Yet, as they began to learn more about the needs of children in families, they decided to shift away from residential care and expand their services to include the families of the children they served. This case study summary explains how Beautiful Gate communicated these changes with donors.

Tearing Down or Fixing Up Institutional Care for Abandoned Children?

Marinus H. van IJzendoorn, Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg, 12 Apr 2022

Typical large-group institutions for abandoned children or orphans are known to be bad for the development of children, but what about small-group care?

Webinar Recording: Transforming Children's Care Webinar #8 - Transitioning Residential Care Services

Transforming Children's Care Global Collaborative Platform, 16 Mar 2022

This webinar was hosted by the Transitioning Residential Care Working Group of the Transforming Children’s Care Global Collaborative Platform and showcased learning around the transition of residential care services.

Walking at the Speed of Trust: The Emotional Journey of Transitioning from a Residential Care Model to Family-Based Care

Changing the Way We Care, 15 Mar 2022

This brief documents the first stages of a learning process between Changing the Way We CareSM and the Mexican Province of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd as the Sisters moved forward in their transition process. It is written for practitioners and organizations, including Catholic actors interested in supporting or engaging in a transition process with women religious and also provides useful information for those engaging in transition with non-faith actors.

Caminar a la velocidad de la confianza: El viaje emocional de la transición de un modelo de atención residencial a la atención basada en la familia y la comunidad

Changing the Way We Care, 15 Mar 2022

Este informe documenta las primeras etapas de un proceso de aprendizaje entre Cambiando la forma en que Cuidamos y la Congregación de las Hermanas de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Buen Pastor en México a medida que ellas avanzan en su proceso de transición. Este documento está dirigido a los profesionales, las organizaciones y los actores católicos interesados en apoyar o participar en un proceso de transición con las organizaciones católicas y también proporciona información útil para aquellos que participan en la transición con actores no religiosos. Esto incluye un importante aprendizaje relacionado con la forma de acompañar a las religiosas en el proceso de transición, comprendiendo los matices relacionados con el tiempo, el contenido y el enfoque. Y lo más importante es que explora el componente emocional que conlleva el hecho de que las religiosas, adapten el enfoque de su carisma a medida que se transforman, pasando de proporcionar atención residencial a una atención basada en la familia y la comunidad.

Insights Into the World of Privatized Faith-Based Residential Care Facilities in Myanmar

Better Care Network, Kinnected, ACC International Relief, 10 Mar 2022

The study was aimed at gaining insights into the operations of privately run, Christian faith-based residential care facilities (RCFs) in Myanmar. The outcomes of this analysis provide important insights to inform ongoing awareness raising, advocacy efforts, approaches to providing technical support and deinstitutionalization, and care reform strategies in Myanmar.

Practitioner's Perspective: Institutions and Reintegration

Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Transition Partners, 02 Mar 2022

In this video Daisy Muzukutwa, Executive Director of ACE Zambia, addresses the following questions: financial viability of reintegration; future of institutional staff after the transition; and where to begin when considering a transition.