The movement of children from institutions to families is a much needed and long overdue process which could change millions of young people's lives for the better. This Lancet Group Commission advocates global reform of the care of separated children through the progressive replacement of institutional provision with safe and nurturing family-based care. It provides essential information on both the global scale of institutionalisation and its physical, social, and mental health consequences, and presents a pragmatic roadmap for carefully managed change.
Momentum for this global transformation of care is building, led by evidence-based and practical leadership from sectors including child health, child protection, and social welfare. Governments, voluntary organisations, and health and social care professionals must work together so that action is timely but not precipitate, building a sustainable future of child-centred care.
This online launch features a panel discussion with Commission authors Edmund Sonuga-Barke (King’s College London), Philip Goldman (Maestral), Patricia Lim Ah Ken (UNICEF Rwanda), Marinus van Ijzendoorn (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Chris Cuthbert (Lumos), and Ionica Adriana (lived experience advocate).
Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 1400 BST; 09:00 EST; 15:00 CET; 15:00 SAST; 18:30 IST.