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.

This report argues that a failure to provide proper care and protection for children is hindering progress in the achievement of many of the MDGs.

The "I Matter Campaign" advocates for support for young people ageing out of care. The second edition of the "I Matter" briefing paper, published by SOS Children's Villages, focuses on young people's involvement in the campaign.

Findings and recommendations of the first national study of its kind in Ethiopia to study child care institutions, institutionalized children, and factors driving institutionalization.

This study evaluated data of 123 children with and without disabilities in residential care to determine demographic, behavioral, mental health, and educational characteristics.

This report is based on 11 weeks of field research in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau between November 2009 and February 2010.

In response to the increased social exclusion affecting youth leaving care, Amici de Bambini developed Matrix of Guidelines for Life after Institutional Care, which can be used to increase the likelihood of social inclusion for young people who have been released from the child protection system.

This new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation outlines initiatives in four sites to help child welfare systems reduce institutional placements, improve outcomes, and support community services by changing the array of services, frontline practice, finances, performance management, and policy

Regulations and tools designed to create the basis for reforming welfare institutions for the safe and appropriate administration of alternative care.

This article explores the experience of institutionalization of Romanian children and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory.