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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Violence Against Children in Care and Justice Institutions

United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children , 2006

This is a chapter from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children that specifically explores the factors contributing to violence against children in institutional care and justice institutions. This chapter includes sections on the sources of violence against children in institutional care, the impact of institutional care on children’s health and development, and the populations of children most likely to become institutionalized.

Provisional Protective Measures: The Principles to Be Observed During the Institutionalization of a Child (2 of 3)

International Social Service and International Reference Center for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (ISS/IRC), 2006

A brief 2-page overview of appropriate residential institution characteristics. Includes information on staffing, and the optimum size of each family-like unit.

Review of Save the Children's New Beginnings for Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Violence Program in Sri Lanka

John Williamson and Malia Robinson, 2006

An evaluation of a programme in Sri Lanka that aimed to resettle and reintegrate children affected by armed conflict, prevent and respond to child abuse, and develop community based alternatives to institutional care.

TransMONEE Database

UNICEF Innocenti Reserach Centre, 2006

A website that contains statistical information on children in 27 countries across Central and Eastern Europe. The site contains relevant child protection indicators, including the number of children in institutional care.

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Overview of the Debate on Children Without Parental Care and Possible Models of Care

Annemiek van Voorst, 2006

Detailed examination of debate over institutional and alternative care methods for children without parental care. Includes comprehensive framework for collective action.

The Effects of Foster Care Intervention on Socially Deprived Institutionalized Children's Attention and Positive Affect

Melissa M. Ghera, Peter J. Marshall, Nathan A. Fox, Charles H. Zeanah, 2006

The study examined the effects of a foster care intervention on attention and emotion expression in socially deprived children in Romanian institutions

Study of the Responses by Faith-based Organizations to Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Geoff Foster, 2006

A study that looks at the response of faith-based organizations in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Uganda. The report contains statistical information, and details positive care practices to build on, and negative examples to avoid.

Focus on the Right of Children with Disabilities to Live in the Community

Ines Bulic, Geert Freyhoff, Judith Klein, and Camilla Parker, 2006

Advocates for the right of children with disabilities to live in the community. Provides recommendations on how to ensure a successful transition from institutional to community-based care. Focuses on the importance of family support and the right to education.