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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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.

Child Protection: UNICEF Country Programme 2016-2018

UNICEF Cambodia, 2016

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

HOTĂRÎRE Nr. 7: cu privire la aprobarea Regulamentului-cadru privind organizarea şi funcţionarea Comisiei pentru protecţia copilului aflat în dificultate

Republic of Moldova, 2016

În temeiul prevederilor alineatului (1) al articolului 12 din Legea nr.140 din 14 iunie 2013 privind protecția specială a copiilor aflați în situație de risc și a copiilor separați de părinți (Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova, 2013, nr.167-

The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview

Walakira, E.J., D. Muhangi, S. Munyuwiny, F. Matovu, E. Awich, I. Ddumba Nyanzi, J. Kayiwa, J. Akellot, P. Mubiri, J. Majugo, A. Mutebi, M. Ruiz-Rodriguez - USAID, 2016

The State of the Ugandan Child: An Analytical Overview focuses on four thematic areas, namely: health and nutrition, education, child protection and child participation; with emphasis placed on the girl child.

Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act - Philippines

Government of the Philippines, 2016

President Aquino of the Philippines has recently signed into law the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act,” an Act which ensures the protection of children “in times of calamity, disaster, and other emergency situations.”

National Child-Focused Policy Research Agenda: 2016-2020

Sophie Busi, in close collaboration with the National Council for Children (NCC), the AfriChild centre, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBoS), and UNICEF, 2016

Although not conclusive or exhaustive, this agenda represents a bold attempt to identify and prioritise key areas/research themes stemming from the Situation Analysis (2015) and other available evidence on the status of children in Uganda.

Why family matters to me: Findings from digital storytelling in eight countries

Emily Delap and Payal Saksena – Family for Every Child, 2016

This report examines what family means to children and adults in the following countries: Brazil, India, Guyana, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Kenya. The storytellers use evidence from 59 short films made using digital storytelling technique.

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.