Parenting Support

Families will require support when faced with problems they are unable to overcome on their own. Ideally support should come from existing networks, such as extended family, religious leaders, and neighbours. Where such support is not available or sufficient, additional family and community services are required. Such services are particularly important for kinship, foster and adoptive caretakers, and child headed households in order to prevent separation and address abuse and exploitation of children. It is also vital for children affected by HIV/AIDS and armed conflict, and those children living on the street.

Parenting support services are typically provided by social and community paraprofessionals. They focus on the individual needs of a child or family, in order to address and overcome issues which may lead to family separation or harm to the child. Such services should be provided within the context of case planning, beginning with an assessment of the child and family situation. By assessing the need first, an appropriate set of services can be offered, such as day care provision, parenting support, household economic strengthening, or psychosocial referral.

Day care services are particularly important for caretakers who are overwhelmed as a result of ill health, cannot provide adaquate care because they need to work, or who are isolated within the community. It provides an excellent opportunity for children to socialise with others, and can offer additional protection and education.

Parenting support provides caretakers with an opportunity to talk about their difficulties, and learn additional techniques for meeting their child’s developmental and relationship needs. It can enable caretakers to cope with behavioural problems, and address abusive parenting techniques, thereby reducing the need for family separation and improving the incidence of successful family reunification.

The literature in this section contains information on family support programmes for vulnerable children, including day care and parenting support.

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Scaling Up the Mentorship Program to Address the Psychosocial Problems of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rwanda

Edward Kalisa, 2006

Outlines the results of World Vision Rwanda’s mentorship program for children in child-headed households and other OVC. Includes challenges and lessons learned.

From Faith to Action: Strengthening Family and Community Care Options for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Kerry Olson, Zanele Sibanda Knight, and Geoff Foster, 2006

A tool to encourage donors to fund community programs that keep children in family care, rather than simply funding orphanages. Describes the many strategies being used to invest in community-based care, and contains specific program examples.

Alternative Care for Children Without Primary Caregivers in Tsunami-Affected Countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand

UNICEF, 2006

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.

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.

A Study of Integrated Interventions for Children Made Vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in Haiti: A Case Study of La Maison l'Arc-en-Ciel

Mark Louden, 2006

Examines a community-based care program for children living with HIV in Haiti called Arc-en-Ciel. Includes an overview of services provided (residential care, home based care, and community mobilization) and lessons learned.

Review of Save the Children's New Beginnings for Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Violence Program in Sri Lanka

John Williamson and Malia Robinson, 2006

An evaluation of a programme in Sri Lanka that aimed to resettle and reintegrate children affected by armed conflict, prevent and respond to child abuse, and develop community based alternatives to institutional care.

A Matter of Belonging

Christopher Bold, Mary Henderson, and Rachel Baggaley, 2006

A guide for faith-based organizations working in developing countries on issues related to orphans and vulnerable children. Contains examples of successful community-based and family support care programs throughout the world that are run by faith-based groups. Discourages the use of institutional care and orphanages.

Hope In Action: Summaries of World Vision's Strategies for HIV and AIDS Response

World Vision HIV/AIDS Hope Initiative, 2006

Summarizes World Vision’s strategies for key areas of HIV/AIDS response.

A Situational Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Four Districts of South Africa

Alicia Davis and Donald Skinner (eds.), 2006

Identifies strengths and weaknesses of services offered to OVC in South Africa. A detailed list of recommendations suggests improvements to services.

Community Care Coalitions (CCCs): An Effective, Local, and Community-Wide Response to HIV and AIDS in Gwembe District, Zambia

Esther Nkumbwa, 2006

Short document outlining the constitution, role, and work of community care coalitions in Gwembe District, Zambia. Includes lessons learned and recommendations.