Child Care and Protection System Reforms

Social welfare sector reform is increasingly common, particularly in transitional countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Increasing attention has been paid to the development of preventive community based child and family welfare programs that would, in coordination with health and education programs and social assistance, provide a range of support for vulnerable families.

Recognition of the damaging effects of institutional care on children and its high cost has influenced governments to redirect resources towards alternative family and community-based care practices such as kinship care, fostering, and adoption. Redirecting resources in the context of social welfare reforms requires a commitment from governments to provide adequate financing for effective policy implementation.

Funding availability raises a variety of issues regarding the level and type of support to be provided, the private or public management of services, and the entitlement process. Social welfare should protect the rights of children and their caretakers via fair and clear criteria of support provisions, with transparent procedures for the effective allocation of services.

Social welfare reforms to protect and support children and families need to be built on legal protections and child care policies which reflect the same child centred goals. Alternative forms of community based care, combined with social reintegration programmes and family support services, must be developed to reduce the use of institutions and enable children leaving institutions to rejoin their communities.

The resources in this section focus on country initiatives in reforming their social welfare sector to finance community based care developments.

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A Situational Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Four Districts of South Africa

Alicia Davis and Donald Skinner (eds.), 2006

Identifies strengths and weaknesses of services offered to OVC in South Africa. A detailed list of recommendations suggests improvements to services.

A Child Protection System in Mongolia

Andy West - International Save the Children Alliance, 2006

Examines barriers to the development of a child protection system in Mongolia. Recommendations stress the need to develop integrated child protection as an essential service comprising a dedicated national agency and appropriate legal frameworks.

Regional capacity building workshop on men, caring and fatherhood: Engaging men as partners in healthier families

Neha Bhandari and Ravi Karkara - Save the Children Sweden, 2006

This report captures the discussions and activities from a workshop held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 17-19 October 2005 on engaging men as caregivers. The report presents a background and rationale, the expectations and objectives of the workshop, and an overview of work being done to engage fathers both in the region as well as globally.

Children In Development

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), 2006

A list of bi-lateral and multilateral funding agencies for child protection. Includes names, email addresses, and particular area of focus.

Legal and Policy Frameworks to Protect the Rights Of Vulnerable Children in Southern Africa

Save the Children UK South Africa Programme, 2006

Reviews legal and policy frameworks for the protection of OVC rights in 10 Southern African countries. Includes key concerns and recommendations. Appendix includes country-specific details of National Policies on Orphans and Vulnerable Children and National Plans of Action.

Suggestions for a Strategy to Develop Alternative Care and Diversion Systems Through Government Structures in Sri Lanka

John Parry-Williams, 2006

A situation analysis of laws, policies, and structures relevant to child protection in Sri Lanka, and a set of recommendations for improving the alternative care system.

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Placement of Orphans: Russian and Nordic experiences

01 Dec 2005

The chapters in this Research Note are grouped in three sections. The first section (chapters 2–5) presents the international experiences. The second (chapters 6–7) presents the Russian background, whereas the third section (chapter 8–9) offers an updated presentation of Russian realities as to the placement of orphans.

A Change of Paradigm and Practice

29 Nov 2005

This presentation was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. The presentation describes the slow shift toward family-based care options in the South East Asia region.

Alternative Care: From Prevention to Response

Alexandra Yuster, 29 Nov 2005

This presentation from UNICEF was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. It highlights the links between alternative care and social protection in the South East Asia region and outlines a strategic plan.

Towards Social Welfare Services for All Vulnerable Children in South Africa: A Review of Policy Development, Budgeting and Service Delivery

Judith Streak and Sasha Poggenpoel , 2005

This paper provides an overview of the policy framework and financing of social welfare services in South Africa. Current budgeting and service delivery practices are discussed, as well as obstacles and recommendations for advanced action.