This is a 15 month qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with families and boys at three stages: preparing for return, in the first three months of reintegration and successfully reintegrated. The study comprises interviews with frontline workers and focus group discussions with the project team. In addition, six youths who did not return to their families were interviewed.
The study focuses on an attachment and trauma based approach to family reintegration of street connected children outside parental care. The findings highlight the need for careful preparation of both child and families (including siblings/extended family) prior to reunification. Preparation needs to focus on resolving the underlying problems that have led to the child being on the street and ‘phased’ reintegration (beginning with visits to the family) is recommended. Follow up visits/family work by staff are usually essential to ensure that child/youth and family adjust to each other.
