Gatekeeping is a term to describe a mechanism, process or specific steps involved in making care-related decisions for children at risk of, or already denied, adequate parental care. This Gatekeeping Factsheet, targeting those engaged in care decisions, including government actors/institutions, civil society organizations, practitioners and parents/caregivers explains the objectives of gatekeeping and essential components of a gatekeeping system, core principles of effective gatekeeping and signs that a gatekeeping system is operating well or needs to be strengthened.