Family values: An investment case for prioritizing foster care for unaccompanied migrant and refugee children in Italy

UNICEF

Migrant and refugee children arriving in Italy often face significant trauma, having fled war, violence, and exploitation, and survived one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes across the central Mediterranean. UNICEF’s Terreferme project has shown that foster care placements cost municipalities significantly less than residential facilities, with the added benefit of strengthening the social service workforce through training and case management.

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Home and Family Sense for Children and Adolescents in Residential Care: Evidence from Spain

Celia García-deLeón & Laura Vallejo-Slocker

This research explores how the perception of “feeling like a family” impacts the quality of life for children and adolescents in residential care in Spain. Findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies show that shared activities, affectionate relationships, and supportive environments foster this sense of family, which in turn is strongly linked to improved well-being.

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National Parenting Training Manual for Uganda

Uganda Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, UNICEF

Uganda’s first mapping study on parenting interventions (2020–2021) highlighted the need for evidence-based approaches and clear delivery guidelines to strengthen parenting programming. In response, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development developed a parenting manual to harmonize stakeholders’ efforts, streamline programming, and strengthen families nationwide.

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International Collaboration to Explore Elements for an Effective Residential Childcare Workforce

Siemionow, J., Tyler, P. M., Mason, W. A., Musoke, D., et. al.

This study compares residential childcare workforce practices across programs in Poland, Spain, and the United States, examining recruitment, training, supervision, and performance monitoring. Findings reveal both shared priorities, such as upholding children’s dignity, and region-specific differences that suggest potential solutions and highlight the value of international collaboration to strengthen training standards.

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Development of International Regimes for Child Rights

Dr. Sukhwinder Singh

This paper critically examines the international child rights regime under the auspices of the United Nations, highlighting its historical foundations, key challenges, and the role of global institutions in safeguarding children’s rights. Employing a qualitative research methodology, the paper also offers recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of child rights protections worldwide.

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A Ten-Year Retrospective: How Children Shaped Advocacy with Terre des Hommes Netherlands

Francois-Xavier Souchet, Bella Bourgeois, Subrat Kumar Panda, Daniel Munaaba, et. al.

This article presents an in-depth analysis of children and young people's engagement in Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) influencing work over the past 10 years. It underscores the importance of integrating children's voices into decision-making processes to ensure systemic change and the sustainable protection of children's rights.

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Exploring trust from the voices of Australian children, young people and care networks in the Mockingbird Family

Emi Patmisari, Michelle Jones and Helen McLaren

This study explores how trust is built within the Mockingbird Family foster care model in Australia, based on interviews with children, carers, and care networks. Findings show that trust emerges through daily interactions, collaboration, and organizational and political support, rather than being a fixed trait. The study highlights the importance of relationship-centered, interconnected approaches to reimagining foster care.

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