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Identification and care of children without parental

care

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DefinitionsPerson under the age of 18, unless under the (national) law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier (Convention on the Rights of the Child, or

CRC, Article1).

‘Separated from both parents and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible to do so’ (The UNHCR document “Refugee

Children: Guidelines on Protection and Care” (1994).

Separated from both parents, or from their previous legal or customary primary care-giver, but not necessarily from other relatives. These may, include children accompanied by other adult family members.

Child whose parents have both died. In many countries, children are referred to as ‘orphans’ if one parent has died

Child

(Separated) Un-accompanied child

Separated (Accompanied) child

Orphan

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Identification of children without parental care

• The identification process;• establishes which children are separated

from their families/care takers and where they are to be found• Should start as soon as possible

• Be aware of different perceptions of who is separated or an orphaned child

Special attention to be given to; Very Young Children, Girl Mothers, Children with disabilities and Other vulnerable children

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Identification information Campaign

• Awareness on consequences of separation

• Inform which children are to be identified

• The aim of registration is protection and family tracing

• The aim of registration is not a for material support.

• Available support services for tracing and reunification

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Impact of separation

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Care of children without parental care

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Fostering

• refers to situations where children are cared for in a household outside their immediate biological family (birth parents)

• Temporary arrangement• Birth parents retain their parental rights

and responsibilities

Research and clinical experience has shown that children are generally better of growing up in family settings. Need to recognize that there can be different cultural perceptions on this.

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Foster familiesSpontaneous fostering. • Encourage families who have

spontaneous taken inn Separated Children to continue.

Foster placements.• Find responsible and caring families.

– Work with respected community members.

Material support to foster families

• Not sustainable

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Child Care Institutions

a. Make sure that all children are registered with the authorities.

b. Make sure that all children receive psychosocial care and support

c. Conduct ”Family Mediation” for families that place their children in CCIs.

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Small Group Care or Sibling groups.

• Maximum 8 children.• Have a ”house mother” living with

the children, that is responsible and caring adult.

• The children must participate in all tasks related to the household.

• The children should have access to all community activities as school etc.

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Group work; Raising Awareness in the

Community• In groups• Discuss and prioritize key features of a

campaign which aims to raise awareness – both in the local community and among local organizations – of what can be done to prevent both accidental and deliberate separation. – Reflect the local situation, the resources

available, and work through the local structures.

• Prepare a presentation