Social Service Workforce Strengthening

A strong social service workforce is critical to meeting the needs of children without adequate family care.  From government policy-makers, local administrators, researchers and social workers, to educators, community workers and care providers, social service actors play a key role in protecting girls and boys and promoting their care.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 530

Manaswini Mishra and Rooplekha Khuntia,

This ethnographic study examines caregiving practices in Indian Child Care Institutions, focusing on caregiver–child interactions, emotional responsiveness, and institutional influences. It draws on observations and interviews to provide a contextually grounded understanding of caregiving dynamics.

UNICEF, Maestral International,

This brief summarizes findings from a workforce capacity assessment examining the knowledge, skills, and competencies of Ukraine's social sector workforce in support of the Strategy on Ensuring Every Child's Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment (2024–2028).

UNICEF, Maestral International,

This brief summarizes findings from a workforce capacity assessment examining the knowledge, skills, and competencies of Ukraine's social sector workforce in support of the Strategy on Ensuring Every Child's Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment (2024–2028).

UNICEF, Maestral International,

This policy brief outlines recommendations for strengthening Ukraine's social sector workforce through the adoption of competency-based professional standards, workforce regulation, and continuous professional development. Drawing on a rapid review of international experience from the United Kingdom, Romania, Germany, France, Sweden, and Poland, the publication examines how competency frameworks support professional identity, service quality, workforce regulation, and alignment between education and practice.

UNICEF, Maestral International,

This brief summarizes findings from a workforce capacity assessment examining the knowledge, skills, and competencies of Ukraine's social sector workforce in support of the Strategy on Ensuring Every Child's Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment (2024–2028).

Jeffries Zwelithini Khosa,

This study examines the critical role of Social Auxiliary Workers (SAWs) in supporting and protecting children awaiting foster care placement within under-resourced, community-based settings in South Africa. It explores the services they provide, their collaboration with other actors, and the challenges they face, addressing a key research gap to inform stronger child protection policy and practice.

Torrens University Australia,

This report examines the impact of Evidence-Based Decision-Making (EBDM) Professional Development on leaders in child welfare in Australia.

Jonah C. Sagayoc and Ines V. Danao,

This phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of five houseparents in a residential care facility in Bukidnon, Philippines, highlighting their critical role in providing emotional support and stability while navigating significant emotional labor and institutional challenges. The findings reveal themes of adaptation, caregiving rewards, coping strategies, and personal transformation, underscoring the need for stronger institutional support, training, and culturally responsive interventions to improve both caregiver well-being and quality of care for children.

KIND,

This toolkit provides tools and resources to service providers working with unaccompanied and separated children across various contexts. The toolkit presents research and background on the experiences, needs, and strengths of unaccompanied and separated children, and specific considerations for how service providers may support children’s long-term well-being and resilience while providing needed services.

Susana Castaños-Cervantes & Jose Anibal Ojeda-Núñez ,

This study examines the physical and psychological well-being of children and adolescents in residential care facilities in Mexico, addressing a major gap in systematic data. It finds that well-being levels are often below desired standards and that institutional responses only partially meet child protection principles, highlighting the need for improved practices, training, and coordination.