A child-headed household is one where there are no adult carers available and children live on their own. Typically an older child will care for siblings, cousins, nephews or nieces. Such a situation is increasingly common in areas with high AIDS mortality and regions affected by genocide or war. [collapsed] Research has shown that there are a variety of reasons why a sibling group may live on its own. It may be the only way to remain together, the best way to retain the use and ownership of their parents’ land and home, or the only option available. Some child-headed households are…

The Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children highlight the importance of providing children with care within family-type settings in their own communities.  This allows girls and boys to maintain ties with natural support networks such as relatives, friends and neighbours, and minimizes disruption to their education, cultural and social life.  Keeping children within their communities (ideally as close as possible to their original homes), also allows girls and boys to stay in touch with their families, and facilitates potential reintegration. [collapsed]…

The detrimental effects of institutionalization on a child’s well-being are widely documented. Family based care alternatives such as kinship or foster care, are much more effective in providing care and protection for a child, and are sustainable options until family reunification can take place. The use of residential care should be strictly limited to specific cases where it may be necessary to provide temporary, specialized, quality care in a small group setting organized around the rights and needs of the child in a setting as close as possible to a family, and for the shortest possible…

Children are highly vulnerable to separation from their parents in conflict, displacement or disasters. Families may flee for their safety and lose loved ones in the chaos, parents may leave their children or send them away for their own safety or in the belief they will be better cared for by others. Children may lose their parents to disease, injury or death, while others may be abducted by armed forces, or trafficked. [collapsed] Relevant authorities and organizations should provide coordinated action to reduce separation and endeavour to keep children as close to their parents,…

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…

The separation of children from their families can result from many causes, including the death of one or both parents, abandonment, displacement due to armed conflict, trafficking, or simply the inability or unwillingness of the family to provide care. The roots of separation can also be found in behavior problems, relationship difficulties, abuse, or neglect. Separation is also caused by larger systemic issues such as poverty, conflict, natural disaster, or HIV/AIDS. [collapsed] Family preservation services aim to address such causes and the need for subsequent…

Children affected by conflict, displacement, or a disaster are vulnerable to separation, injury, abuse, exploitation, and psychosocial stress. Conflict and displacement break down the mechanisms which protect children – families may be torn apart, physically or emotionally, and medical and social services may be over burdened or cease to function entirely. [collapsed] Families have the primary responsibility to protect and care for their children and governments have the responsibility to support the capacity of families and communities to protect vulnerable children and to provide…

This section includes tools and strategies to provide support and promote children’s development during armed conflict, displacement, and other emergency situations.

This section includes resources that provide child welfare principles for use in individual case planning to prevent family separation, promote quality care, and implement reunification.

This section offers guidance on recruiting, selecting, and training caregivers; placing children in care; evaluating placements; and understanding the functions of social workers.