A Guide to Good Practice

Research and practice over sixty years demonstrates the harmful effects of institutionalisation upon children. The purpose of this document is to assist policy makers, practitioners and other concerned individuals to transform systems of institutional care into those based on family and community support. Most countries have used institutional care for children at some time. Institutions are often established with good intentions, in the belief that this is the best way to look after children. However, evidence demonstrates that family and community based forms of care are more likely to meet the needs of children. Experience in de-institutionalisation in a number of countries suggests that this process is beneficial to children, families, communities and governments. Those who have been involved in the process of closing a residential care institution and providing alternative forms of care will have met many challenges, obstacles and dilemmas along the way. The guidance in this manual is based on current best practices in de-institutionalising children from residential care, identified from the experience of childcare professionals across the European region. The manual attempts to alert the reader to some of the challenges and obstacles and offers advice and practical methods for addressing them. It considers the process of de-institutionalisation in its entire complexity. The introduction defines residential care and what is meant by the term ‘institution’ in this context. * Chapter one (Step 1) draws upon research evidence and practical experience to raise awareness on the negative effects of institutionalisation on children, simultaneously highlighting why de-institutionalising children from residential care is important in terms of a harmful environment and financially inefficient in providing care services. * Chapter two (Step 2) describes how to develop a strategic plan for managing the process of de-institutionalisation. * Chapter three (Step 3) presents the next step which analyses children’s services with an overall appraisal of the institutional care system, emphasising the importance of an analysis at country/regional level. * Chapter four (Step 4) presents an analysis at institution level. The aim is to identify an institution to target for transformation. * Chapter five (Step 5) details the design of alternative services which projects and identifies what services would be required to effectively deinstitutionalise children in residential care. These range from prevention and community support services to substitute family care, to specialist residential care. * Chapter six (Step 6) considers planning the transfer of resources necessary for effective and efficient de-institutionalisation. It suggests ways in which projections can be made of the costs of future services and warns against closing institutions primarily to reduce cost. It emphasises the need for money to follow the child. * Chapter seven (Step 7) deals with one of the most important and complex aspects of de-institutionalisation: the process of preparing and moving children to their new placement. * Chapter eight (Step 8) considers preparing and moving staff and addresses possible resistance to the closure of an institution from the institution personnel and provides those involved in managing de-institutionalisation with methods for reducing staff resistance. * Chapter nine (Step 9) addresses the logistics involved in carrying out the de-institutionalisation of children into new placements and transforming the services offered after all planning and preparations have been made. * Chapter ten (Step 10) outlines the responsibilities of state and local authorities to carry out monitoring and evaluation. In the conclusions and recommendations, a broader perspective is taken to offer recommendations for community services aimed at children and their families to prevent family breakdown and to support families in need or those who care for children with special needs, such as professional foster carers.

 

De-Institutionalising and Transforming Children's Services De-Institutionalising and Transforming Children's Services
Publisher
Total pages
149
Countries this relates to

Childhub

You might like..

0
15
The five-page document provides answers to the frequently asked questions in the area of de-institutionalisation. It also provides definition of what we mean by de-institutionalisation.
0
3
The inforgraphics on the link provide some figures of the organisation Hope for Homes and its work on de-institutionalising children in different countries.
no
0
The report highlights several key findings regarding partnerships between Global North and Global South organizations in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors. The absence of clear definitions and understanding of equitable…
0
53
This publication summarizes the knowledge and experiences of numerous stakeholders who have, together with UNICEF, participated in the implementation of the three-year project, “Towards ending child marriage in Serbia” (2018–2020). Today, there are…
0
31
Save the Children defines inclusive education as “one dimension of a rights-based quality education which emphasises equity in access and participation and responds positively to the individual learning needs and competencies of all children.…
0
17
This publication documents more than 95 good practices to help eliminate gender-based violence and highlights their impact in preventing violence against women, protecting victims and prosecuting offenders. Strategies for involving men and young…
1
38
Eurochild member Florence Koenderink publishes book helping adoptive parents support children coming from institutions Caring for a previously institutionalised child can be extremely challenging. The book ‘…
0
16
Trafficking in human beings is a major problem today, both in Europe and beyond. Even if reliable statistics are not available, it seems clear that every year a significant number of people, largely women and children, fall victim to trafficking…
0
9
The purpose of this handbook is to provide the foundation for a methodology of intervention in 9 stages, primarily based on respect for the rights of the child and the search for a durable solution for each situation. The methodology presented in…
0
4
This Handbook is concerned with the human rights of people in detention or in prison. (The Handbook deals only summarily with some other groups of prisoners such as juveniles, women, foreigners, mentally disturbed and addicted prisoners.…
0
75
Disabled children and their families are one of the population segments that struggle the most. In the UK, these families are entitled to support services lawfully and their rights are reinforced by international human rights provisions. But why the…
0
277
Kinship care is a term used in the United Kingdom for the raising of children by grandparents, other extended family members, and significant others with whom they have a close family-like relationship. Kinship placements are usually considered when…
0
5
The purpose of this Guide is two-fold: to provide training and learning materials to assist individuals and groups of staff within governmental and non-governmental organisations develop good practices in relation to promoting the participation of…
0
109
A theory of change is a tool to help you describe the need you are trying to address, the changes you want to make (your outcomes), and what you plan to do (your activities). The approach can be used for organisations of all shapes and sizes—from…
0
196
Based on the identified needs for the preparation of a guide for the first-line professionals as well as striving to address interventions for the future, the Focus Center has prepared this guide “Child focused services”, which comes to the aid of…