UN Guidelines for the alternative care of children

Background  2004 – Consultancy to UNICEF and ISS (Process of development of standards for the protection of children without parental care).  2005 – Committee on the Rights of the Child- General Day of Discussion 16 September 2005: Children without parental care.  2006 – General Consultancy to States in Brasilia.  2007/08 – Consultancies in Cairo, New York, Geneva.  2009 – Adoption by the Human Rights Council  2009 – Adoption by the UN General Assembly

Objectives and principles of the Guidelines Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention (CRC) Two main aspects: 1)Ensure that children are not unnecessarily institutionalised. 1)Ensure that, in case of alternative care, the care is provided in an appropiate way and takes into account the best interest of the child.

Objectives and principles of the Guidelines Orientation for policies and practice on:  Prevention of the separation (e.g. assistance to families)  Separation of the child from his/her family as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible duration.  Alternative care as necessary and appropiate  Priority to family- based alternative care and respect for the child’s individual needs.  Maintain the child as close as possible to his/her family  Prohibit the separation of siblings.

Objectives and principles of the Guidelines Orientation for policies and practice on:  Selection, training, monitoring and support for whose who take care of children.  Child’s Legal representation.  Mechanisms to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse (Mechanisms of compaints, etc.)