Displaying 1 - 10 of 19
The purpose of this study is to explore how growing up in private residential care in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces of Thailand has affected children’s well-being over time. The research provided an important opportunity for young people to describe and analyze their experience, as well as make their own conclusions and recommendations. Understanding the life paths of these young people after leaving care offers important insights for developing strategies, policies and services to improve outcomes for other children facing similar experiences. The study was commissioned as part of the…
Abstract:
This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that explored children's and families' experiences of alternative care in Thailand. The study used arts-based methods to engage 160 children living in a range of care settings.
This included government and NGO-run residential care settings (RCS), children's villages, Buddhist temples, migrant learning centres and foster care homes. Interviews were also conducted with 20 parents/guardians who had placed their children in care. Findings show that despite the alternative care system presenting significant challenges,…
The overall aims of this research project were to explore the experiences of the children, parents and families involved in alternative care in Thailand. The researchers engaged children who lived in a range of different care settings from Migrant Learning Centres, Buddhist temples, Government Children’s Homes and NGO centres. In total, they accessed 13 different care providers across four different regional locations: Central (Bangkok and Chonburi), North (Tak and Chiang Mai), North East (Nong Khai), South (Ja Na and Hat Yai).
This research project reached a significant number of children…
The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in collaboration with UNICEF organized a 3-day virtual meeting from 27 to 29 April, 2021. The meeting brought together over 100 participants from WHO-SEAR countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka , Thailand and Timor-Leste) and two countries from UNICEF-ROSA (Afghanistan Pakistan). Participants included government delegates from relevant ministries (health, nutrition, education, child protection, women and child affairs), WHO and UNICEF staff and partners.
On Day 1, participants reflected on progress to date…
The lack of accessible information is a barrier to further exploration and understanding of out-of-home care in Asia. Definitions of alternative care are unclear and in many contexts non-existent.
In light of these issues, research was undertaken to provide an overview of the social welfare landscape of 10 identified Asian countries (Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). It covered the spectrum of care provisions including; family preservation, reunification, guardianship, kinship care, foster care, domestic and inter-…
COVID-19 is currently wreaking havoc on countries around the world. The devastating health consequences of the virus are only the tip of the iceberg. The pandemic’s indirect impacts, such as loss of livelihoods, school closures and restrictions on travel and socialising have far-reaching effects on children and young people’s health, safety, education and well-being. During this period, many children and young people are spending more time at home, with family, and online. In this context, children and young people are at risk of witnessing and/or experiencing violence at…
More than 100 child participants across East Asia convened with government officials to discuss the increased instances of child violence experienced during COVID-19 at World Vision’s Asia Pacific Child Well-Being Learning Exchange forum on 18 November 2020. The virtual event, organised in partnership with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, was introduced to bring together government, UN agencies, donors, civil society organisations, corporates, academia, subject matter experts and thought leaders in the development sector, to throw light on pressing issues facing the world’s most vulnerable…
Abstract
This study examined deinstitutionalisation in Thailand. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a total of 27 child welfare practitioners and policy actors to explore their perceptions of Thai alternative care provision. Findings show that participants perceive deinstitutionalisation as a complex policy challenge. Some felt that the institutions were necessary in order to meet demand, while others felt that cultural barriers prevent a shift to family-based approaches, such as foster care. However, data suggest that it would be difficult to characterise deinstitutionalisation as…
This animated video from Alternative Care Thailand tells the story of a boy in Thailand who is sent to live in an orphanage because his mother feels she is unable to care for him at home and his experiences with volunteers once he arrives at the orphanage. In the story, the leader of the orphanage attends a training where he learns about how to use donations to help the children's families and support children at home, instead of taking them into the orphanage. The orphanage slowly transitions to become a family support center.
The Office of Education Council and UNICEF launched a Parenting Guideline with 600 ECD stakeholders from around the country participating in the event. The guidelines provide information for ECD professionals and parents about holistic child development, linked to the national Early Learning and Development Standards.