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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Children with Traumatic Separation: Information for Professionals

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, 2016

This guidance from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides information and suggestions for helping children who experience traumatic separation from a caregiver.

A Better Future is Possible: Promoting Family Life for Children with Disabilities in Residential Care - Manual for Professionals

International Social Service, 2016

This manual provides guidance to professionals who work with children with disabilities in residential care.

Philippines Alternative Care Case Study

Martin James Foundation, 2016

As part of phase one of the development of the Martin James Foundation's Asia Care Network, comprehensive studies of the care system in each country were conducted to highlight the need for developing alternative care systems across South-East Asia. This case study highlights the relevant data from the Philippines.

HOTĂRÎRE Nr. 835: cu privire la aprobarea Planului de acţiuni pentru anii 2016-2020 privind implementarea Strategiei pentru protecţia copilului pe anii 2014-2020

Republic of Moldova, 2016

În temeiul prevederilor punctului 89 din Strategia pentru protecţia copilului pe anii 2014-2020, aprobată prin Hotărîrea Guvernului nr. 434 din 10 iunie 2014 (Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova, 2014, nr. 160-166, art.

Towards an Effective System for Child Protection and Prevention of Violence against Children in South America

Akemi Kamimura, Vanessa Orban Aragão Santos and Paula R. Ballesteros - Brill, 2016

This chapter from the book The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Taking Stock after 25 Years and Looking Ahead, presents the legal framework and public policies that address violence against children in ten South American countries.

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Child Protection: UNICEF Country Programme 2016-2018

UNICEF Cambodia, 2016

This brief from UNICEF Cambodia describes UNICEF's plans and programs regarding child protection.

Government of India Press Release: Series of New Initiatives for Development of Women and Children Mark the Achievements of WCD Ministry this Year

Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, 28 Dec 2015

A press release from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India recapped a series of new initiatives by the Ministry during 2015. The achievements relevant to children’s care are briefly described below and include the launch of the flagship programme Beti Bachao Beto Padhao for protection of the girl child; several initiatives to track, restore, and rehabilitate missing children; and adoption reforms and a new foster care system.

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For the Benefit of Children Alone? A Discourse Analysis of Policymaking Relating to Children's Institutions in Indonesia, 1999-2009

Brian Babington, 16 Dec 2015

This thesis by Brian Babington, submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The Australian National University, uses a discourse analysis methodology to shed light on deinstitutionalisation policymaking in Indonesia. In examining the factors that led Indonesia to adopt a policy to reduce reliance on the panti asuhan type of children's institution, the dissertation reveals that Indonesia appears to have adopted this policy change not primarily as a result of concern for children's rights, but rather because of political, economic, cultural, and religious factors. It also explores how the policy shift attempted to appease both pro-reform and pro-panti asuhan groups.

Research methodology applied to a comparative case study of the deinstitutionalization of children in Bulgaria and Ukraine

Chrissie Gale - Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, 01 Dec 2015

This study discusses a variance in results in eliminating use of large-scale residential institutions for children across the CEE/CIS region.

Taking child protection to the next level in Kenya

Government of Kenya, UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada, 01 Dec 2015

The case study is part of a UNICEF global initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada to document national child protection frameworks in five core programming countries: Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Senegal and the United Republic of Tanzania.