This briefing paper emerges from a review of 14 national plans of action (NPA), or in the absence of a NPA, outputs from the rapid assessment analysis and action planning (RAAAP) work for orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. The purpose is to analyse the way that issues of social protection are incorporated into these plans and to highlight areas within the plans where social protection activity may be needed to achieve stated outcomes. Annex 3 summarises, country by country, the social protection content of each NPA.

Save the Children’s response to the UN Secretary General’s Study on Violence Against Children. It outlines the key steps required by governments towards ending all forms of violence against children.

Overview of social protection and welfare directions around the world, with recommendations for policies to protect vulnerable children and those affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

An assessment of alternative care responses for children without primary caregivers in tsunami-affected regions of Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Thailand. Includes good practices, recommendations, and detailed country reports.

Evaluation of two alternative care programmes in Georgia. Focus on contributions towards the construction of gatekeeping systems for alternative care services. Includes detailed lessons learned and recommendations.

The chapters in this Research Note are grouped in three sections. The first section (chapters 2–5) presents the international experiences. The second (chapters 6–7) presents the Russian background, whereas the third section (chapter 8–9) offers an updated presentation of Russian realities as to the placement of orphans.

This presentation from UNICEF was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. It highlights the links between alternative care and social protection in the South East Asia region and outlines a strategic plan.

This presentation was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. The presentation describes the slow shift toward family-based care options in the South East Asia region.

This report reviews the faltering progress made in childcare reform across Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union over the 15 years since the ‘orphanages’ of Romania were revealed to the world.

A paper introducing the concept of a ‘Protective Environment’ which outlines the elements required in a society for the effective protection of children from violence, exploitation and abuse.