There are several studies that provide evidence for the negative effects of residential care for children. This chapter applies system analysis and child-centric approaches to assess the Children Alternative Care System (CACS) deinstitutionalization in Egypt.
The study attempts to answer these questions: What is the assessment framework for the CACS considering the international frameworks? What are the strengths and the gaps within the CACS in Egypt?
The study conducted systematic review for literature on alternative care for children, used participant’s observation and applied qualitative methodological approaches which are based on a purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The study highlights the lack of variety of care options, mechanisms of gatekeeping, and family reintegration.
The study’s main recommendation is to have a holistic alternative care strategy guided by deinstitutionalization and not only focusing on alternative families’ program as a main intervention to improve the system.
