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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Safeguarding Toolbox: For organizations to develop & implement effective, relevant safeguarding policies and practices

Changing the Way We Care, 31 Jan 2022

This toolbox can be used by organizations working with and for vulnerable children and adults, particularly those at risk of separation or living in alternative care. It can support those in the organization who are responsible for:
• Developing and implementing safeguarding policy and procedures
• Assessing safeguarding risk
• Safeguarding in program development and implementation

Safeguarding Toolbox: Organizational Safeguarding Risk Assessment

Changing the Way We Care, 31 Jan 2022

The purpose of the risk assessment is primarily to enable your organization to gather a snapshot of safeguarding needs and measures related to the activities being or to be undertaken by your organization.

Organizational safeguarding risk assessment_FINAL.xlsx

Care Reform in Zambia: Virtual Study Tour

Changing the Way We Care, UNICEF, Government of Zambia, 31 Jan 2022

This virtual study tour aims to provide you with an overview of care reform in Zambia from the comfort of your own home. Care reform relates to the care of children.

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Monitoring State Compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Ziba Vaghri, Jean Zermatten, Gerison Lansdown, Roberta Ruggiero, 2022

Three decades of reporting from the States Parties to the Committee on the Rights of the Child have revealed many gaps between the promise of the convention and the reality on the ground for children. This book is an article-by-article analysis of almost all substantive, organizational, and procedural provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Caring for LGBTQ Children & Youth

Human Rights Campaign, 31 Dec 2021

The resource provides information about the care and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning children and youth.

Au-delà des soins en établissement: Feuille de route pour la réforme du système de protection et de prise en charge des enfants pour les gouvernements d’Amérique latine et des Caraïbes

Hope and Homes for Children, 01 Dec 2021

Au-delà des soins institutionnels fournit un cadre aux gouvernements pour développer leur propre feuille de route pour la réforme et la désinstitutionnalisation du système de protection et de garde des enfants. Nous espérons qu'il inspirera une conversation, guidera le dialogue interministériel et interprofessionnel, soutiendra les groupes multidisciplinaires à tous les niveaux pour encadrer leur propre évaluation et planifier leur propre feuille de route pour le changement.

Care Reform in Malawi: A Virtual Study Tour

Emily Delap of Child Frontiers, UNICEF Malawi country office, UNICEF ESARO, Changing the Way We Care, Government of Malawi, 01 Nov 2021

This virtual study tour aims to provide you with an overview of care reform in Malawi from the comfort of your own home. Care reform relates to the care of children. It refers to efforts to improve the legal and policy frameworks, structures, services, supports and resources that determine and deliver alternative care, prevent family separation and support families to care for children well.

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Primary Prevention Explained: Sarah's Story

The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, 01 Oct 2021

This video by the Alliance for for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action details

Towards Ending Child Marriage Global: Trends and Profiles of Progress

UNICEF, 01 Oct 2021

The analysis presented in this report looks at historical trends in child marriage, with a focus on selected countries that have recorded significant declines in child marriage prevalence. It offers an overview of changes in the practice together with a review of other shifts that have occurred in these countries in terms of girls’ access to education and employment opportunities, as well as economic development and poverty reduction.

Dezinstituționalizarea Prin Înțelegerea Particularităților Sistemului Rezidențial De Îngrijire În Republica Moldova

Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC), 21 Jul 2021

A fost efectuată o evaluare cuprinzătoare a copiilor și adolescenților care trăiesc în îngrijire rezidențială identificând că există un mecanism complex de evaluare, axat pe oferirea unei vederi de 360° asupra nevoilor și interesului superior al copilului.