Promising practices - strengthening families and systems to prevent and reduce the institutional care of children

Karen Flanagan - Modern Day Slavery and Orphanage Tourism

Abstract : This chapter from the book Modern Day Slavery and Orphanage Tourism highlights promising practice which aims to prevent and reduce the institutionalization of children at two levels: (1) systems and social work strengthening, and (2) family strengthening and gatekeeping. The ultimate goal is to maximize family preservation supported by strong community, government and civil society systems to reduce the risk of exposure to forms of modern slavery such as orphanage tourism. Country case studies of Indonesia and Cambodia are presented, which highlight the circumstances, programmes and advocacy strategies that signal encouraging trends and results. A key emergent variable is the importance of partnerships and relationships toward achieving sustainable and lasting beneficial change for children.