Child Care and Protection Policies

Child care and protection policies regulate the care of children, including the type of support and assistance to be offered, good practice guidelines for the implementation of services, standards for care, and adequate provisions for implementation. They relate to the care a child receives at and away from home.

States and all organisations with child care programmes should have child care policies which are in line with national legislation and international law, e.g. the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In line with the CRC, emphasis should be placed on the child’s best interests, with support to families prioritised in order to prevent family separation. Good gatekeeping mechanisms are essential in ensuring families receive the services they need and are entitled to, and to guard against inappropriate placement into poor care arrangements.

Home-based care, day care, and other family support services are mechanisms for assisting families in providing for the child’s development and, when used appropriately, can prevent child separation. When a child is unable to remain at home, alternative forms of community based care should be prioritised, such as formal kinship care or foster care. The use of institutions should be highlighted as a last and temporary measure. All support and care provisions should outline the referral and admission process, the use of care plans, regular reviews, rehabilitation, and aftercare procedures.

Child protection legislation which recognises that abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect, and may be carried out by parents, caretakers, children and other adults is required. All agencies working with children should have written child protection policies which respect the rights of the child. Policies should outline behaviours and actions which are unacceptable, provide standards for the appropriate care of children, and clear guidelines on what procedures to follow and by whom, including reporting mechanisms for suspected abuse to an assigned authority for investigation.

Child care and protection policies require resources and monitoring of standards to ensure their appropriate implementation. Adequate provision and training of child care and social work staff is required to deliver family support services and alternatives forms of child care. All staff working with children should be trained and supervised in providing appropriate care for children, identifying abuse, and responding appropriately.

The literature in this section contains country reports and examples of national and organisational child care and protection policies.

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Les lignes directrices relatives à la protection de remplacement pour les enfants

L'Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies A/RES/64/142, 24 Feb 2010

Les lignes directrices pour la prise en charge alternative des enfants ont été endorsées par l'Assemblée Générale des Nations Unies, dans le sillage de la commémoration du 20e anniversaire de la Convention des Nations Unies relative aux droits de l’enfant.

Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children - Arabic

UN General Assembly A/RES/64/142, 24 Feb 2010

The Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children were endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on 20th November 2009, in connection with the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This momentous day marked a culmination of years of discussions and negotiations led by the Government of Brazil, in partnership with Group of Friends and civil society.

Directrices sobre las modalidades alternativas de cuidado de los niños

UN General Assembly A/RES/64/142, 24 Feb 2010

Las directrices sobre las modalidades alternativas de cuidado de los niños fueron endosados por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas el 20 de noviembre de 2009, en conexión con el 20a aniversario de la Convención de los Derechos del Niño de la ONU.

Directrizes para o cuidado alternativo de crianças [Unofficial Portuguese Translation]

UN General Assembly A/RES/64/142, 23 Feb 2010

Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children - English

UN General Assembly A/RES/64/142, 23 Feb 2010

International Adoption Policy Brief

Save the Children UK, 19 Feb 2010

Brief recognizes the potential opportunities ICA can provide a child but examines the problems and risks frequently associated with the practice.

The Children Act (Kenya), Revised Edition 2010

National Council for Law Reporting with the Authority of the Attorney General, 2010

The Children Act, Chapter 141 is a Kenyan law that addresses provision for parental responsibility, fostering, adoption, custody, maintenance, guardianship, care and protection of children; provision for the administration of children’s insti

Children in Alternative Care: National Surveys 2nd edition

Eurochild Secretariat, 2010

In 2009 Eurochild carried out a survey of the situation of children in alternative care in Europe through its member organisations. The survey was not intended as a scientifically rigorous research exercise but rather to identify what information is readily available and to note some common trends across Europe.

Reglamento para la Aplicación de Medidas de Protección a Niños Privados de su Medio Familiar por parte de juzgados que ejercen competencia en materia de Niñez y Adolescencia Amenazada o Violada en sus Derechos Humanos

Centro Nacional de Análisis y Documentación Judicial, 2010

Este reglamento tiene por objeto adecuar la práctica judicial al sistema de protección integral de niñez y adolescencia, en la aplicación de medidas de protección y abrigo provisional de niños privados de su medio familiar.

Resolutions and Decisions adopted by the General Assembly during its sixty-fourth session

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), 2010

The present volume contains the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly from 15 September to 24 December 2009, including the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children on page 376.