Relationships Matter: Exploring the Implementation of the Quality Parenting Initiative and the Foster Parent Experience

Ericka M. Lewis, Vithya Murugan, Kimberly A. Williams, Richard P. Barth, Bethany R. Lee

This study explored perceptions of Quality Parenting Initiative's (QPI) impact on the foster parent experience, with a particular focus on foster parent involvement in implementation efforts and strengthening stakeholder relationships.

Bringing Donors Along on the Journey: A Preliminary Investigation of Organisational Strategies in Transitioning from Residential to Family Care for Children

Nicole Gilbertson Wilke, Amanda Hiles Howard, David King, Brian Carroll

The current article investigated the financial impact of transitioning to a family-based model of care, donor engagement practices used in this process, and changes in donor support resulting from the transition.

Exploring the Relationship Between Adoption and Psychological Trauma for Children who are Adopted from Care: A Longitudinal Case Study Perspective

Dominic McSherry, Grainne McAnee

This study aimed to use longitudinal data pertaining to children who had been adopted from care to examine the relationship between being adopted from care and psychological trauma.

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Accelerated Adulthood, Extended Adolescence and the Care Cliff: Supporting Care Leavers' Transition from Care to Independent Living

Angela Palmer, Michelle Norris, Joanne Kelleher

This article draws on first-person narratives of care leavers in Ireland who have aged out of care and transitioned into independent living in a dedicated social housing programme to examine their strategies for coping with these competing pressures.

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Keeping the Promise to Our Children, Young People and Families

Government of Scotland

The Scottish Government Implementation Plan sets out the Government of Scotland's actions and commitments to Keep the Promise for care experienced children, young people and their families. The plan lays out what the government will do to Keep The Promise by 2030. The goal is for every child in Scotland to grow up loved, safe and respected so that they realise their full potential.

The Promise

Independant Care Review in Scotland

The work of the Independant Care Review in Scotland culminated in the publication of seven reports in February 2020, including 'The Promise' which set out what needs to change in the care system to ensure children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected.

Ukraine Emergency in Neighboring Countries “BLUE DOTS”- Children and Family Support Hubs

UNHCR, UNICEF

This note is designed to guide UNICEF and UNHCR teams on how to integrate the Blue Dot concept into a joint operational modality, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of each agency, and recommending operational modalities to further expand and integrate these into the national response. Blue Dots are established in support of government efforts and links directly to the national child protection architecture.

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European Commission Operational Guidelines Establishing the Existence of a Mass Influx of Displaced Persons in Ukraine

European Commission

These EU guidelines are intended as a living document and will be updated regularly based on new questions received from Member States, to reflect the situation on the ground and take due account of Member States’ evolving needs. These guidelines may be followed by more specific recommendations on particular topics.

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Take Me Home: An Overview of Alternative Care (with Focus on Family-Based Care Options) of Children in Asia

Khadijah Madihi, Sahra Brubeck

This report marks a critical step in compiling comparable data and information about children in out-of-home care in Asia, defining our understanding of the continuum of care options available and metaphors to identify the gaps, challenges, strengths and opportunities within the child care systems in 10 identified Asian countries.

Safe Places, Thriving Children: Embedding Trauma-Informed Practices into Alternative Care Settings (“A Culturally Sensitive Approach”)

CELCIS, SOS Children’s Villages

This resource was developed by SOS Children's Villages Belgium as an annex to the Practice Guidance. This tool provides guidance for social workers working with unaccompanied refugee and migrant children on how to use trauma-informed practices in a culturally sensitive way.

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Safe Places, Thriving Children: Embedding Trauma-Informed Practices into Alternative Care Settings (Organisational Development Guidance Document)

CELCIS, SOS Children’s Villages

The Guidance Document was developed to support organisations taking part in the Organisational Development workshops for the project. Through the workshops, we aim to establish a trauma-informed culture in organisations that care for and support children and young adults in alternative care.

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Safe Places, Thriving Children

CELCIS, SOS Children’s Villages

As part of the “Safe Places, Thriving Children” project, SOS Children’s Villages has developed a series of six e-learning modules which aim at increasing participants’ understanding of trauma and its effects on children and young people, and provide guidance on how to act in a more trauma-sensitive way when working with children, young people and families.

Safe Places, Thriving Children: Embedding Trauma-Informed Practices into Alternative Care Settings (Practice Guidance)

CELCIS, SOS Children’s Villages

The Practice Guidance was developed by CELCIS and SOS Children’s Villages as a resource for participants taking part in the “Safe Places, Thriving Children” training. The purpose of this guidance is to improve understanding and practice in relation to working with children and young adults who live in alternative care settings and who may have experienced trauma.

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Residential Homes for Children in Ghana: Compliance with Standards, Quality of Care, and Case Management

Nicole Petrowski, Claudia Cappa, Antoine Deliege, Muhammad Rafiq Khan

The purpose of this article is to provide information on the residential care facilities that operate in Ghana in terms of their licensing status, staffing, child safeguarding, and protection policies, as well as the safety and suitability of the premises. The article also describes the demographic profiles of the children who live in such facilities and provides an overview of the care they received and their well-being.

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Factors Associated with the Family Reintegration Stability for Children with a Residential Care Experience in Ghana

Kwabena Frimpong-Manso, Pascal Agbadi, Antione Deliege

There is limited evidence on family reintegration for children who have been in residential care within the African context. The goal of this study is to find out what factors impact reintegrated institutionalized children’s desire to remain with their biological parents or extended family.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Infants and Out-of-Home Care

Joseph Magruder, Jill Duerr Berrick - Journal of Public Child Welfare

This study offers a longitudinal examination of a population-based cohort of infants born in 2001 who entered care during the first year of life and who were followed through multiple care episodes until age 18. Findings suggest that using single, first episode data overstates the proportion of children who successfully reunify and understates the proportion of children who are adopted, return to care, or live with guardians.

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Safe Responses During Emergency Situations

Changing the Way We Care

The training Safe Responses During Emergency Situations covers topics such as our responsibility to protect children and adults at risk in an emergency, the principles of 'do no further harm’ and 'best interests of the child’ in practice; the four Rs: recognition; response; reporting; recording and what we can and should practically do in an emergency situation.

Handbook on the Crossing of the State Border by Children, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Accompanying them in a State of Emergency or Martial Law

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

This handbook was prepared by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine with the support of the project "Support to Government Reforms in Ukraine" (SURGe), in accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 27.01.1995 No. 57 "On approval of the rules of crossing the state border by citizens of Ukraine" (as amended by the Cabinet of Ministers of 12.03.2022 No. 264). It outlines practical guidelines for Ukraine citizens when crossing the State border of Ukraine. 

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Fact Sheet: Ukraine Crisis and International Standards

International Social Service

This document provides guidance on how to apply international standards when working with children and their families impacted by this crisis. The question to be asked, consistently – whatever decision, action or process – is “what is in the best interests of the child?” This applies to situations on the ground that are complex and allow no easy answers.

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Fiche d'information: Crise ukrainienne et normes internationales

International Social Service

Ce document fournit des conseils sur la manière d'appliquer les normes internationales lorsque vous travaillez avec des enfants et leurs familles touchés par cette crise. La question à poser, systématiquement - quelle que soit la décision, l'action ou le processus - est "qu'est-ce qui est dans l'intérêt supérieur de l'enfant?" Cela s'applique à des situations sur le terrain qui sont complexes et ne permettent pas de réponses faciles.

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Hoja informativa: Crisis de Ucrania y estándares internacionales

International Social Service

Este documento brinda orientación sobre cómo aplicar los estándares internacionales cuando se trabaja con niños y sus familias afectados por esta crisis. La pregunta que se debe hacer, de manera consistente, sea cual sea la decisión, acción o proceso, es "¿qué es lo mejor para el niño?" Esto se aplica a situaciones sobre el terreno que son complejas y no permiten respuestas fáciles.

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Ukraine’s Children: Use Evidence to Support Child Protection in Emergencies

Lucie Cluver, Ben Perks, Sabine Rakotomalala, Wadih Maalouf

This opinion piece published in the BMJ, argues that evidence based parenting support is needed for families in both sudden and protracted crises, to help protect children from adverse outcomes. The authors say that in emergencies, families need evidence based support that is accessible, relevant, and simple. The parenting programmes prevent and disrupt the intergenerational transmission of violence and trauma and improve mental health for parents and children. When combined with economic assistance (“‘cash plus care”) they are even more effective. 

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Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from March 1, 2022 № 179 (Unofficial Google Translation)

Government of Ukraine

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduced a modification of item 24 of "Rules of crossing of the state border by citizens of Ukraine". This is an unofficial English Google Translation of the original document published in Ukrainian which is included on Page 2 of this document.

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Handbook on the Crossing of the State Border by Children, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Accompanying them in a State of Emergency or Martial Law (Ukrainian)

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

Цей запис підготовлено Міністерством соціальної політики України за підтримки проекту «Підтримка державних реформ в Україні» (SURGe), відповідно до постанови Кабінету Міністрів України від 27.01.1995 р. № 57». Про затвердження Правил перетину державного кордону громадянами України» (в редакції постанови КМУ від 12.03.2022 р. № 264). У ньому викладено практичні рекомендації для громадян України при перетині державного кордону України. 

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Children with Disabilities in Zambia: Households with Children with Disabilities in Zambia Face Hardships on Food Access and Dietary Diversity

Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) Zambia, St Catherine's University, SPOON

This summary report by Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) Zambia and St Catherine's University reports the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of families of children with disabilities to access adequate food. These households named educational and nutritional services as their most pressing support needs. 

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Moratorium on Intercountry Adoption and New Surrogacy Procedures in Response to the Conflict in Ukraine

Save the Children

Intercountry adoption and new surrogacy procedures should not be initiated in the first phase of an emergency. Save the Children is calling for states to support a Moratorium on intercountry adoption and emergency surrogacy procedures in relation to Ukraine until the appropriate safeguards can be reinstated. While adoption can provide a safe and loving home for a child that needs a family, it must be regulated to ensure the best possible solution for each and every individual child.

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Children Deprived of their Family Environment Due to the Armed Conflict in Ukraine: Cross-Border Protection and Intercountry Adoption

HCCH

This information note from the Hague Conference on Private International Law | Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé (HCCH) outlines the framework for the protection of children in emergency situations. It provides guidance on protecting children who are internationally displaced from Ukraine as well as intercountry adoption in armed conflict. 

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Born into Care: Developing Best Practice Guidelines for When the State Intervenes at Birth

Claire Mason, Karen Broardhurst, Harriet Ward, Anna Barnett, Lisa Holmes

Separating a baby from his or her mother at birth when there are safeguarding concerns is traumatic for birth parents and painful for professionals. This report presents findings from a study that analysed qualitative data from the lived experiences of parents and professionals where the state intervened at birth. The aim was to identify key challenges and to surface good practice examples with a view to developing a draft set of best practice guidelines for piloting with partner research sites in England and Wales.

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Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine: About 5,000 Children from Vulnerable Categories Being Brought up in Institutional Care Facilities Were Evacuated

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

The Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, Maryna Lazebna, said that as of 19 March 2022, 4,894 children from 179 institutions of institutional care have been evacuated. Of these, 2,522 children were relocated withinUkraine, and 2,372 children from 116 institutions were relocated abroad.

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Joint Statement: The Rights of Children with Disabilities

Committee on the Rights of the Child, Committee on the Rights of Children with Disabilities

In a joint statement published 18 March 2022, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Rights of Children with Disabilities expressed deep concern about the institutionalisation of children with disabilities and called on States Parties to end institutionalisation on the basis of disability and to promote the development of support for children in a family in the community.

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Closing Remarks: Global Alliance for Care - "The Relevance of Care Work for Gender Equality – Action for Sustainability"

Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights

These are the closing remarks of Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, at a side event in the context of the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. 

Opening Remarks: Annual Full-Day Meeting on the Rights of the Child - The rights of the child and family reunification

Michelle Bachelet,UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

These opening remarks were delivered by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at 49th session of the Human Rights Council 9 March 2022. The focus of her remarks was on the alarming numbers of children who are torn apart from their families due to a number of reasons.

Concept Note: 49th Session of the Human Rights Council - The Rights of the Child and Family Reunification

UNHRC

This is the concept note for the 49th session of the Human Rights Council which is an annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child. The focus of this year's meeting was to  identify the implications of a child rights approach to family reunification, paying particular attention to preventing the separation of children from their families, and to children affected in cross-border situations. 

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Rights of the Child and Family Reunification: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 49th Session of the Human Rights Council

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 45/30, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the rights of the child and family reunification. All children have the right to family life, yet millions worldwide are suffering preventable separation from their families and associated violations of their rights. In the present report, the High Commissioner recommends that States move to develop global, child rights-based guiding principles and a global strategy for family reunification.

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Respecting the Child’s Right to Identity in Intercountry Adoption?

Child Identity Protection (CHIP)

This policy brief draws attention to Article 8 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which notes that a child has a right to identity including a name, a nationality and family relations. Whenever a child is deprived of one of these elements, States have an obligation to restore the child’s identity speedily. At the heart of any intercountry adoption (ICA) is the modification of a child’s identity given at birth. The brief also includes recommendations for policymakers.

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Ukraine Situation Flash Update #3

UNHCR

The Russian Federation launched a military offensive against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. In three weeks, more than 3.2 million refugees have been forced to flee Ukraine, while an additional 6.5 million people have been displaced internally within the country.

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Ukraine Situation Flash Update #4

UNHCR

The Russian Federation launched a military offensive against Ukraine on 24 February 2022. In three weeks, more than 3.2 million refugees have been forced to flee Ukraine, while an additional 6.5 million people have been displaced internally within the country. Over 12 million people have been affected in the areas hardest hit by the war within Ukraine. In these weekly updates, the UNHCR continues to call for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect for international humanitarian law, and appealed to neighbouring countries to continue keeping their borders open to those fleeing.

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ОСНОВНІ СТАТИСТИЧНІ ДАНІ: НАЦІОНАЛЬНА ГАРЯЧА ЛІНІЯ З КОНСУЛЬТУВАННЯ МІГРАНТІВ ТА ПРОТИДІЇ ТОРГІВЛІ ЛЮДЬМИ 527 З ПОЧАТКУ ВІЙНИ

IOM

Протягом 24 лютого – 16 березня 2022 року через гарячу лінію було надано 12 083 консультацій у відповідь на 2 473 отриманих дзвінка.
Національна безкоштовна гаряча лінія з консультування мігрантів та протидії торгівлі людьми функціонує на базі неурядової організації “Відродження нації”. Гаряча лінія працює в межах Програми захисту і допомоги вразливим мігрантам Міжнародної організації з міграції (МОМ) в Україні за щедрої підтримки американського народу через проєкт Агентства США з міжнародного розвитку (USAID).

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Key Statistics: National Toll-Free Migrant Advice and Counter-Trafficking Hotline 527 Since the Start of the War

IOM

During 24 February–16 March 2022, there were 12,083 consultations in response to 2,473 calls were provided through the hotline. The National Toll-Free Counter-Trafficking and Migrant Advice Hotline is run by the NGO ”Revival of the Nation”. It operates within the framework of the Migrant Protection and Assistance Programme of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Ukraine.

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Children’s Social Care Market Study

Competition & Markets Authority

This is a market study conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into children's social care provision in the UK. The study found that there is a shortage of appropriate places in children’s homes and with foster carers, meaning that some children are not getting the right care from their placement. Some children are also being placed too far away from where they previously lived or in placements that require them to be separated from their siblings.The authors recommend the development of national and regional bodies to support local authorities with getting suitable placements for children in the UK.

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The Lost Ones: Emergency Care and Family Tracing for Separated Children from Birth to Five Years

Marie de la Soudière, Jan Williamson, Jacqueline Botte

This document is intended to provide concrete advice on how to put the guiding principles common to most child protection actors into practice. Though cultural traditions and customs may require the advice to be adapted to the specific context, the authors believe that the advice provided is grounded in sufficiently broad experience to guide measures that ensure children under five are not separated when this can be avoided, and, if separated, can be reunited with their families as quickly as possible.

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Working With Conflict-Affected Children and Adolescents Innovative Approaches and Practices Series: Community-Based Reunification & Reintegration of Separated Children in Post-Conflict Rwanda

Brigette De Lay - IRC-Rwanda

This paper hopes to contribute to a sorely under-documented field of how to reintegrate institutionalized children back into the community in a post-conflict environment. It provides a brief description of IRC Rwanda’s Reunification and Reintegration Program for Unaccompanied Children, emphasizing its innovative nature and promising field methodologies. It includes a review of core principles and a programmatic overview of center and community-based work, outlining key steps in the process. It also provides a brief review of good practices and offer some points of reflection for future work with children in post-conflict situations.

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