Thematic Working Paper Series

As part of BCN’s activities to enhance the research around alternative care issues, in 2009 BCN launched the BCN Working Paper Series. Working in partnership with BCN Advisory Group members and partners, the series includes working papers analyzing key issues around alternative care and enhanced child protection. The purpose of the series is to enhance the body of alternative care literature and tools and to stimulate policy debate and further research.

Displaying 1 - 6 of 6

Better Care Network and International Parent Advocacy Network (IPAN),

Promoting parent and child participation is central to achieving children’s rights. This review of the literature and program documentation presents evidence on the role of parent advocacy in achieving better outcomes for children and their families in child welfare.

Better Care Network and UNICEF,

Published jointly with UNICEF, this new BCN Working Paper focuses on the role of gatekeeping in strengthening family-based care and reforming alternative care systems. This Working Paper reviews different approaches to gatekeeping in five countries--Brazil, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Moldova, and Rwanda--to consider what has and has not worked, to analyze lessons learned from practice, and to reflect on the implications for improving policy and programs in this area.

Better Care Network and the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance,

This working paper, produced by the Better Care Network and the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, explores the topic of social service workforce strengthening as it relates to child care reform.

Better Care Network and EveryChild ,

The paper provides a clear agenda for action for reversing the neglect of childhood disability in child care reform and points towards several key policy recommendations.

John Williamson and Aaron Greenberg ,

With particular attention to lower income countries, this paper examines the mismatch between children’s needs and the realities and long-term effects of residential institutions. The paper examines available evidence on the typical reasons why children end up in institutions, and the consequences and costs of providing this type of care compared to other options. The paper concludes with a description of better, family-based care alternatives and recommendations for policy-makers.

Kevin Browne,

Analysis of the impact of institutionalization on young children with core recommendation for policy and practice to ensure children's right to family is upheld.