Gatekeeping | Better Care Network

Gatekeeping

"Gatekeeping," as it is used on this web site, is the process of referring children and families to appropriate services or care arrangements with the aim of limiting the number of inappropriate placements. Gatekeeping is an essential tool in diverting children from unnecessary initial entry into alternative care, and reducing the numbers of children entering institutions. Gatekeeping is often carried out by social welfare professionals or trained staff at institutions, but is often aided by members of the community and local service providers.

Effective and fair gatekeeping requires a system of safeguards and monitoring to prevent system abuse, and to ensure access to services for those who are most vulnerable. It is dependent upon an assessment and allocation process which is systematic and fair and the availability of a range of family support services and community based care options. Such supports may include economic strengthening, social assistance programmes, family services, including day care, and health or education provision.

To support family unity and prevent the unnecessary entry of a child into the care system, a thorough assessment of the child’s individual needs is required in order to determine the most suitable family support service or alternative community care option. This should be combined with a high threshold for admission into care. The care plan for the child and the available services require regular reviews, with the emphasis on the best interests of the child.

The use of gatekeeping to reduce the institutionalisation of children requires a commitment to appropriate child care policies at state level. Resources and staff must be sufficient to assess needs and service entitlement, and provide services for children and their families. Such efforts require a high level of co-ordination between providers from government and non-governmental child care organisations.

The documents in this section provide information on mechanisms for effective gatekeeping in order to reduce the unnecessary entry of a child into out-of-home care and avoid inappropriate forms of care.

Displaying 41 - 50 of 191

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Working in Partnership to Improve Children’s Safety and Well-being: The May’khethele Programme in South Africa

Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children (4Children), Catholic Relief Services, 09 Mar 2018

This case study is one in a series of case studies highlighting different aspects of a case management system and referral mechanisms utilized by OVC programs. The case study looks at the work of the Children in Distress Network (CINDI) in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN) of South Africa.

Using a Systems Approach at the Community-level in a Human Resource Constrained Context: The Youthpower Action Project in Mozambique

4Children, Catholic Relief Services, 09 Mar 2018

This case study is one in a series of case studies highlighting different aspects of a case management system and referral mechanisms utilized by OVC programs. The case study presents a program in Mozambique that could be identified as a hub and spoke model of referral mechanism.

Referral Mechanisms for Children Orphaned or Made Vulnerable by HIV

CRS, 4Children Project, 09 Mar 2018

This brief of referral mechanisms within the context of OVC programs describes the different types of referral mechanisms and describes key components of setting up a functioning referral system.

The Assessment of Children and Young People for Adoption Support The evidence from 20 referrals to the National Adoption and Fostering Team at the Maudsley

Matt Woolgar, Carmen Pinto and Olivia Tomaselli, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, 01 Mar 2018

This Briefing Note adds to the developing picture of adoption support issues by analysing data on 20 children and young people consecutively referred to the special adoption and fostering service at the Maudsley – a wellrespected and established national CAMHS service.

“Nothing goes as planned”: Practitioners reflect on matching children and foster families

Kirti Zeijlmans, Mónica López, Hans Grietens, Erik J. Knorth - Child & Family Social Work, 27 Feb 2018

This study answers the following question: “How does the case-specific context influence the practitioners' decision-making process regarding matching in family foster care?”

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User Guide on Foster Care

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) & Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care (India), 2018

This User Guide aims to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of a good quality foster care service in India, which will be useful for a range of practitioners.

Guidelines for Child Protection Case Management and Referral in Kenya

Republic of Kenya, 2018

The guidelines for Case Management and Referral for Child Protection Systems in Kenya is a reference material to guide different actors on how to carry out comprehensive case management and referral and defines the role of the government, civil society organizations, the communities, the family and the child to complement each other.

Core Concepts and Principles of Effective Case Management: Approaches for the Social Service Workforce

Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, 2018

Developed by members of the Global Social Service Workforce Alliance’s Case Management Interest Group, this resource aims to define case management.

Violence Against Children in All Care Settings: Africa Expert Consultation (Final Report)

African Child Policy Forum & Better Care Network, 09 Oct 2017

This report describes the details of the Africa Expert Consultation: Violence Against Children in All Care Settings, which took place 21-22 June 2017.

Global Report 2017: Ending Violence in Childhood

Know Violence in Childhood , 26 Sep 2017

The report compiles information from a series of global research papers commissioned by Know Violence, presenting the scale and scope of childhood violence globally. Examples of preventative efforts from governments, communities, and organizations are provided to illustrate the feasibility of preventing violence on local and national levels.