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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Ghana: National Gender and Children Policy

Government of the Republic of Ghana, Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, 2004

This National Gender and Children Policy developed by the Ghana Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs aims to mainstream gender concerns in the national development process.

Child Protection: Children Without Parental Care

UNICEF, 2004

A brief fact sheet on the multilevel support needs of children without parental care. Includes a brief section on statistical data and examples of UNICEF action in several countries around the world.

Children in Institutions: Prevention and Alternative Care

Bragi Gudbrandsson, 2004

This report contains an overview of alternative care in Europe, the effects of institutions on children, statistical information and the different approaches of child protection systems within Europe. It includes reforming institutional care, foster care, post-care support, and the role of the social worker.

Orphanhood and Child Vulnerability: Malawi

L. Guarcello, S. Lyon, and F. Rosati , 2004

A report on orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi. It examines how orphanhood increases vulnerability though decreased access to formal schooling and increased exposure to child labor. Includes detailed statistical tables.

National Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children Policy of Uganda

Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 31 Dec 2003

This document is the official policy governing National Orphans and OVC of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) of the Republic of Uganda. The policy interprets a vision of a society where all orphans and other vulnerable children live to their full potential, where their rights and aspirations are fulfilled.

Child Welfare Reform Projects and Initiatives

Alexandra Posarac and John Innes, 31 Dec 2003

Provides a brief overview of child welfare reforms implemented in the ECA Region and the collective effort to move away from over-emphasis on institutional care through the Changing Minds, Policies and Lives Project.

National Strategic Programme Plan of Interventions For Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Uganda, 2005/6 - 2009/10 Fiscal Year

Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 31 Dec 2003

The NSPPI provides overall guidance to implementers to mitigate the impact of orphan hood and other vulnerabilities among children in Uganda.

Stockholm Declaration on Children and Residential Care

Participants of the second international conference on Children and Residential Care, 15 May 2003

This document represents the agreements made at the Second International Conference on Children and Residential Care in Stockholm, Sweden, held from 12 to 15 May, 2003. The conference was sponsored by the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the Swedish International Development and Co-operation Agency (Sida). The document includes the principles and actions, regarding children and residential care, that were agreed upon by the participants at the conference.

Orphans in Russia: Policies for family-like alternatives

Jørn Holm-Hansen, Lars B. Kristofersen and Trine Monica Myrvold - Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research, 01 Mar 2003

The objective of this research project is to contribute to the process of facilitating a more family-like childhood for Russian orphans.

National Standards for Foster Care: Ireland

Department of Health and Children , 03 Jan 2003

These Standards are based on the relevant legislation, regulation and guidance and best practice derived from evidence based research and professional experience from Ireland and abroad.