This document makes the case for the importance of investing in family strengthening in countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It has a particular focus on support for families so that any unnecessary separation of children from their families and placement in alternative care can be prevented.
The UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children provide recommendations regarding the prevention of unnecessary placement in care. This includes situations when the fully assessed circumstances of a child reveal there are no protection concerns but support is needed to address other vulnerabilities within the family to ensure the child does remain at home.
This report was developed with the aim of being helpful to policy-makers and practitioners from government and civil society, and others working in child protection, social protection, and social services.
