Psychosocial Support

The best form of psychosocial support is a healthy family and supportive environment, preferably in the child's community of origin, or one that is culturally similar. Psychosocial well-being is a product of multiple support, which is rooted in the ability to form healthy relationships and participate in community networks.

However, certain considerations may be required in order to help children and caretakers come to terms with life-changing events, such as the loss of a parent. Separation can be highly stressful for children, particularly if it is unexpected, or repeated. Some children may experience anxiety, attachment problems, sleep disturbances, dependency issues, regression, and a range of other behavioural issues which threaten their mental health and development.

Specific types of support may be required for children suffering from loss, severe or chronic ill health, abuse or exploitation. The child’s experience, age, resilience, and the level of support received from the family and community will determine if a child needs external services. A child is far less likely to experience psychosocial stress if they have good natural support mechanisms and therefore protection efforts should focus on supporting families and communities to help each other.

When psychosocial support is needed, an assessment is important in determining the scope and type of issues, the existing family and community resources, and analysis of how these can be strengthened. Clinical mental health interventions such as therapy, psychiatry or psychological counseling, should only be provided by trained professionals after a clinical assessment and, in all cases, should be culturally relevant.

Psychosocial activities must promote the children’s development and their relationships with others, re-establish routines, increase self confidence and sense of control over their lives. Children’s activities, such as the provision of safe places, group work or referrals to specialists, should be designed around the child’s individual needs, age, gender, and cultural identity. Interventions should be empowering, inclusive, and fully integrated with wider community efforts. Children’s participation is essential in psychosocial work; children should be encouraged to express their opinions, and to have these taken into account.

The literature found here describes the psychosocial effects of separation, and other threats to children such as HIV/AIDS, conflict, abuse and exploitation, and provides guidance and examples of psychosocial interventions.

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Psychosocial Care for Unaccompanied Minors in Europe: Is There an Economic Case? Discussion Paper

Italian Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (SISST) in partnership with Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF), SISST and TDHIF as part of the Destination Unknown campaign, 2017

This document aims to provide an overview of the scope of activities of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in relation to the protection of unaccompanied migrant children and support for this group.

Post-adoption support and interventions for adoptive families: Best practice approaches

Julie Selwyn - German Research Center on Adoption (EFZA) , 2017

This rapid literature review was commissioned by the German Research Centre on Adoption (EFZA) located at the German Youth Institute in Munich (Germany). The overall aim of the review was to consider the support needs of domestic and intercountry adoptive families and the evidence for effective interventions. Step-parent, relative and domestic private adoptions were excluded.

2017 Whole of Syria Child Protection Needs Overview – Compilation of Child Protection Data Collected for the 2017 Syria Humanitarian Needs Overview

iMMAP, UNICEF, 2017

This document provides analysis of child protection needs and risks at the government level to support child protection actors in programmed development, resource mobilasation and advocacy.

An In-Depth Study of Psychosocial Distress Among Orphan and Vulnerable Children Living in Institutional Care in New Delhi, India and Their Coping Mechanisms

Abhishek Saraswat & Sayeed Unisa - IUSSP 2017, 2017

This study examined the psychological wellbeing of children in institutions and their various coping mechanisms.

Recovery coaches and the stability of reunification for substance abusing families in child welfare

Joseph P. Ryan, Brian G. Victor, Andrew Moore, Orion Mowbray, and Brian E. Perron -- Children and Youth Services Review, 01 Nov 2016

This study tests an intervention to improve child welfare outcomes for substance abusing families, specifically the probability of families achieving a stable (at least 12 months) reunification.

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Whole of Syria: Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility – Voices Assessment Findings of the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2017

Global Protection Cluster, 01 Oct 2016

The report highlights the constant threat of sexual violence, exploitation, and child marriage that adolescents and girls face in Syria.

Navigating support, resilience, and care: Exploring the impact of informal social networks on the rehabilitation and care of young female survivors of sexual violence in northern Uganda

Stark, Lindsay; Landis, Debbie; Thomson, Blake; Potts, Alina Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, Vol 22(3), 01 Aug 2016

This study examines the experiences of young female survivors of sexual violence in northern Uganda in order to explore the variety of roles (both positive and negative) that informal support networks played in contributing to survivors’ healing, recovery, and reintegration.

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Fighting for the Forgotten: Risk and Resilience of Children and Families Involved with the Foster Care System

Deborah Shropshire, Amanda Williams Affiliated with University of Southern Mississippi, Lauren Burge, Larissa Hines – Springer Link, 30 Jul 2016

This article discusses how the resilience of foster children can be increassed, and their outcomes changed through the responsible and intentional interventions of health care professionals, child welfare workers, and communities.

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Well-Being, Psychosocial Problems and Social Interaction Anxiety in Children

Budithi Sushma, Gadiraju Padmaja, Swati Agarwal, 01 Jul 2016

This study assesses the effects of institutional care on social interaction anxiety in children and further assesses the role of social interaction anxiety in emotional and behavioral problems in children.

The role of carers in supporting the progress of care leavers in the world of work

Robbie Gilligan andLaura Arnau-Sabatés, Child and Family Social Work, 07 Jun 2016

The aim of this component of a preliminary cross-national study (Ireland and Catalonia) of care leavers' experience in the world of work is to explore how carers may influence the entry of young people in care into the world of work and how they may also influence the young people's progress in that world.

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