Standards of Care

Standards of care are approved criteria for measuring and monitoring the management, provision and quality of child care services and their outcomes. Such standards are required for all child care provision, including day care, kinship, foster and institutional care.

Standards should be concrete and observable sets of indicators which describe what good practice means in terms of outcomes for the child, how a service should be delivered, and the actions required by staff. They should be guided by the rights and best interests of the child, the preservation of the family, and the promotion of the child’s development.

Standards of care should be in line with national child care and protection policies, and reflect international standards for children’s rights. The development, monitoring and evaluation of standards should be participatory, and reflect the views of children and families who are using the services.

Standards should give indicators relating to all aspects of child care from the child’s physical and emotional well-being to staff and organisational procedures. This includes the child’s diet, access to health and education, and play and recreational facilities. Standards should outline the methods of care and control, and ensure that services are accessible and promote the child’s health. Standards should specify the rights of children to privacy, informed choices, dignity and respect. Standards relating to staff should include recruitment and selection procedures, regular supervision, support, and training. Procedural standards include the maintenance of records, respect for confidentiality, and accountability mechanisms.

The literature in this section focuses on examples of organisational standards for child care provision.

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Child-Friendly Standards and Guidelines for the Recovery and Integration of Trafficked Children

International Labor Organization, 2006

Standards for shelters and care providers responding to children who have been trafficked. It gives guidance and practice examples of intake procedures, interim and longer term care, support services, integration and reunification

Overview of the Debate on Children Without Parental Care and Possible Models of Care

Annemiek van Voorst, 2006

Detailed examination of debate over institutional and alternative care methods for children without parental care. Includes comprehensive framework for collective action.

Selected Resource Material Concerning Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS

John Williamson, 2006

An updated list of literature and bibliographies concerning children and families affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. Most of the resources are focused on sub-Saharan Africa.

Provisional Protective Measures: The Principles to Be Observed During the Institutionalization of a Child (1 of 3)

International Social Service and International Reference Center for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (ISS/IRC), 2006

A brief 2-page overview of what steps should be taken if and when a social worker or other community worker admits a child to a residential institution.

Elaborating A Lifelong Plan: Family Reintegration

International Social Service and International Reference Center for the Rights of Children Deprived of their Family (ISS/IRC) , 31 Dec 2005

A brief fact sheet on family reintegration. Provides an overview of what a social worker should pay attention to when assessing a child's situation.

The Eugene Declaration

Holt International Children's Services, 31 Dec 2005

Recognition of the crises affecting children and a commitment to improving the lives of children.

Quality Care Standards: Experiences from Cambodia

29 Nov 2005

This presentation was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005.

Policy Standards Framework in Relation to Residential and Community-Based Care

UNICEF, 29 Nov 2005

This presentation from UNICEF was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. It outlines the standards and principles for residential and community-based care in the region.

Scotland: National Care Standards: Adoption Agencies

Scottish Executive, 2005

A set of standards guiding services for children who have been adopted, birth families, and adoptive parents.

Raising the Standards: Quality Childcare Provision in East and Central Africa

Neil McMillan and Diane Swales - Save the Children UK, 2005

A guideline to establish and promote good practice in a variety of childcare settings through the application of quality indicators. The indicators address professional practice, quality of care, caregivers, resources and administration.