Non-Formal Mechanisms for Children's Care and Protection

In many countries children without adequate family care are supported within non-formal care arrangements.  This typically involves the care of a child by a relative (kinship care), or someone close to the family (informal foster care), without any legal proceedings or regulation by the State.  In some cases, children may also live on their own without adult carers within a child-headed household.

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Helen Johnson et al ,

This article describes a group of Elders in the Lax kw’alaams community of British Columbia who provide support and mentorship to the Lax kw’alaams children in care.

David Anderson - Child Abuse and Neglect Journal, Volume 38, Issue 4,

This article highlights the historical role churches have played in child protection stemming from biblical teachings and mandates as well as a current example of church involvement in child protection.

Professor Marie Connolly of the University of Melbourne,

This webinar presentation by Professor Marie Connolly of the University of Melbourne introduces the history and background of Family Group Conference (FGC) in New Zealand and Australia and discusses the influence of FGC on the development of formal or statutory kinship care in the region.

Vanessa R. Sasson - Child Abuse and Neglect Journal, Volume 38, Issue 4,

This article explores some of the ways that Buddhism expresses care for its children.

Save the Children,

This position statement by Save the Children highlights the central place of families in numerous international legal instruments and how the concept has been understood. It also clarifies its own understanding of families and reviews key provisions under international law regarding their crucial role and responsibilities, and that of States towards them.

Synergos Institute,

This report describes the Social Connectedness Programme and the three strands of research that inform it. The report defines social connectedness and social isolation and explains the benefits of social connectedness.

Shirley Pendlebury - Synergos Institute,

This brief guide: defines social isolation and social connectedness; explains why it is important to build social connectedness; outlines enabling policies; provides guidelines on how practitioners can support children and youth to build meaningful social connections.

SOS Children’s Villages, Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland, University of Malawi,

This report is based on a synthesis of eight assessments of the implementation of the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children (“the Guidelines”) in Benin, Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Mr Vuyani Patrick Ntanjana & Mr Fezile July - Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund,

The purpose of the ‘Imbeleko and social connectedness’ project was to conduct a cross-sectional study in order to explore and describe indigenous ways of care and support to inform policy and intervention.

Emily R. Munro, Robbie Gilligan,

There has been a significant growth in the use of formal kinship care in the UK and Ireland in the last 20 years. The paper charts some of the reasons for the 'organic growth' of kinship care and the multiple dynamics that have shaped this.