Effects of Institutional Care

Institutionalising children has been shown to cause a wide range of problems for their development, well-being and longer-term outcomes. Institutional care does not adequately provide the level of positive individual attention from consistent caregivers which is essential for the successful emotional, physical, mental, and social development of children. This is profoundly relevant for children under 3 years of age for whom institutional care has been shown to be especially damaging.

Common issues for children in institutional care are a significantly increased risk of sexual and physical abuse, a lack of stimulation, and harsh discipline. Children in institutions are less likely to attend school, and are frequently isolated from their traditional communities. Long periods in an institution make it harder for a child to assimilate back into a family and community, and deny them access to the life-long attachments and community support systems that family relationships and communities can provide. For funders and implementing bodies, care in the community is a significantly more effective and sustainable use of resources since it avoids the high maintenance costs of institutions, and prevents many of the problems posed by institutional care.

It is widely accepted that institutions should be used as a last resort only. Countries which have traditionally relied on institutional care are now transforming their institutions into small family style group homes and actively pursuing preferences for community-based care options based around small family style units. This policy shift is urgently required in HIV/AIDS affected countries which are taking a backward step in resorting to the use of institutions to care for children orphaned or affected by the disease.

The body of literature contained in this section provides in-depth explanations of the damaging effects of institutionalisation on children and provides recommendations for alterative community care options.

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Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment: children deprived of their liberty

Juan Mendez, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment , 05 Mar 2015

This Report by Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, to the UN Human Rights Council focuses on children deprived of their liberty from the perspective of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It addresses the situation of children in institutions, and in particular their torture and ill-treament.

From Volunteering to Voluntourism: Challenges for the Responsible Development of a Growing Travel Trend

ECPAT Germany, Tourism Watch, Bread for the World, Working Group - Tourism & Development (akte) , 01 Mar 2015

This publication serves as a guide for responsible voluntourism, both for volunteers and volunteer tour operators.

The Science of Early Adversity: Is There a Role for Large Institutions in the Care of Vulnerable Children?

Anne E Berens, MSc, Prof Charles A Nelson, PhD - The Lancet , 29 Jan 2015

This review discusses the worldwide phenomenon of child institutionalisation and assesses scientific evidence on the developmental effects of early institutional care.

Effect of Maternal Deprivation on Child Development: A Comparative Study Between Orphanage and Urban Slum Children in Odisha

Sourajit Routray, Nijwm Mahilary and Rajkumar Paul - International Journal of Bioassays , 21 Jan 2015

This study compares the development of children living in orphanages with that of children living in slums with their biological parents in Odisha, India.

Exploring the Appropriateness of Institutionalized Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) in the Era of HIV/AIDS: Examples from South Africa and Botswana

Dudzai Nyamutinga and S. M. Kang’ethe - Journal of Human Ecology , 2015

The present study aimed to evaluate and discuss the appropriateness of institutions caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) in the face of HIV/AIDS through a systematic literature review.

Переезд в мой новый дом Книга для детей с разъяснением того, что будет происходить во время закрытия интерната

Лумос, 2015

Целью этой книги является объяснить детям то, что их ожидает во время закрытия интерната.

Re-Thinking and Reconceptualizing Child Care Institutionalisation in South Africa: Effects and Impacts on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs)

S. M Kang’ethe and Abigail Makuyana - Journal of Social Science , 2015

The present study, through an extensive review of literature has explored and reconceptualised institutional care and considered the dynamics of institutionalization. The study also examines the effects and impacts of institutionalization on OVCs in South Africa, such as educational attainment, socialization and psychosocial impacts.

Guidelines on the deployment of volunteers working with children abroad

Better Care Network Netherlands, 2015

Through these guidelines BCN Netherlands hopes to prevent unintentional harm to children and to promote that exclusively those who can transfer their knowledge and experience to local professionals are deployed as volunteers working with vulnerable children.

International Volunteering Video

Globalsl.org, 2015

This video from Globalsl.org, produced by Kindea Labs, describes both the negative impacts of orphanage volunteering and tourism as well as the ways in which international volunteering can be conducted appropriately for a positive impact on a community.

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Child Care Institutions in Selected Districts in Uganda and the Situation of Children in Care Baseline Survey Report: ‘Strong Beginnings – A Family for all Children’ Project

Eddy J. Walakira, Ismael Ddumba-Nyanzi, Badru Bukenya, 2015

This report presents findings of a baseline study for the Strong Beginnings -- A Family for all Children project.