Alternatives to institutions

When we close an institution, we listen to children and find a family based solution which serves their best interests. No child is left behind.

The solutions we develop vary depending on the local context but, in every case, the best interests of the child are always our primary concern.

There are three main alternatives to institutionalisation for children:

Reintegration

Many of the children living in institutions have at least one living parent. We believe that the best place for a child is, almost always, within their family. We therefore always give priority to reintegrating children into their birth or extended families. However, in some cases this is not possible as the birth family is not known, not willing or not able to meet the needs of the child, even with significant support.

Adoption & Fostering

When reintegration is not possible, the next best alternative is family placement by way of fostering or local adoption. This requires the development and management of such a system, which often requires significant capacity building.

Foster care is a flexible solution which varies according to the needs of the child and wider community needs. It can be a very short term solution for children who need to be placed at short notice in the event of an emergency. It can also be an interim solution for children who will eventually be reintegrated with their parents or adopted, or a longer term solution, where children stay with the same family until they are old enough to start independent life. In some cases, foster care is the best option for children with special needs such as physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties as the child can be placed with a family which has the specialist skills required to give each child the care they need.

Adoption is another solution for children. It is the most final solution which usually severs all family links between the child and his birth parents and extended family. While adoption can provide security for a child, it can also have serious implications for the child's sense of identity. For this reason, we pursue adoption within a child's own country, when it is in their best interests and when the child has no known family or cannot be reunited with them.

Small Family Homes

Sometimes older children, those with severe special needs or those with behavioural problems, do not cope well in a family placement or it is difficult to find a family willing or able to meet their needs. It can also be difficult to find a family for a large sibling group, as we always prioritise keeping siblings together. In these circumstances Small Family Homes can provide a family type environment for small groups of children. Such homes are based within a community in a normal residential street or village and are home to a maximum of 12 children. The homes provide opportunities for children to be integrated into the community and to experience care that is much closer to family life.