1. Deinstitutionalization of Child Care
Promising Practices and Potentials for Inclusion and Participation
Harshika Ediriweera
Assistant Commissioner – Department of Probation and Child Care Services

2. Disabilities

3. Disabilities 8.7 % of Disable persons – Age of 5 and Above
(Census of Population and housing 2012)
Stay in CCI s depends on the severity of the disability

4. Children in Institutions
414 Child Care Institutions (CCIs)
14,179 Children
(Source: Current Status of Child Care Institutions and Institutionalized Children in Sri Lanka, DPCCS, 2013)

5. Institutionalization & Disabilities -Causes
(Source: Current Status of Child Care Institutions and Institutionalized Children in Sri Lanka – A Situational Analysis 2013)
Among various many reasons Disability in Child and Disabilities in family members influence institutionalization of children

6. Institutionalization & Disabilities
1063 Special Need Children are in CCIs (536 Male & 527 Female)
Out of 414 CCI s 33% CCI s have Children with Disabilities
Majority of male children whose both parents alive are admitted to CCIs due to Disabilities or Illnesses 12.7%
(Source: Current Status of Child Care Institutions and Institutionalized Children in Sri Lanka – A Situational Analysis 2013)

7. Institutionalization & Disabilities -Gaps & Challenges
Lack / Insufficient Facilities & Aid equipment
Lack of knowledge and capacity of care takers
Economic difficulties
Social Beliefs
Lack of data & information
Accessibility to services limited

8. Deinstitutionalization & Disabilities -Potential
576 Children are institutionalized due to Disability/Illness, have Both Parents alive
This is 54% of the children with disabilities in institutions
Need education & rehabilitation support for parents/families with children with disabilities
Social & Economic Inclusion essential
(Source: Current Status of Child Care Institutions and Institutionalized Children in Sri Lanka – A Situational Analysis 2013)

9. Government Policies
Protection of the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities – Act No 28 of 1996
Promotion, Advancement and Protection of the rights of persons with Disabilities
National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2003
Principles and Strategies to integration
Pub Ad Circulars 27/1988 and 01/1999 on Providing Employment to physically Disabled Persons
3% of Vacancies should be filled by physically disabled persons….
Disabled persons (Accessibility ) regulations No.01 of 2006
1996 Social Security Board Act 17 
provides for a pension and insurance for people with disabilities in the case of accidents or old age
Highlights Support the child for the total development of the child including strengthening right to participation, Family support, Family health, ECCD & education.
Special section about youth skill development, career guidance, information dissemination etc.

10. Government Policies Contd…
Inclusive Policies
Guidelines & Standards for Child Care Institutions in Sri Lanka (draft) 2013
Minimum Standards and Guideline for water, Sanitation & Hygiene at Preschools
National Guideline for Child Day Care Centers 2017
General Education reforms 1997
(Introduced Inclusive education)
1996 National Health Policy
provides for early childhood development of children with disabilities in rehabilitation; and Development Centers with individual services, pre-schools, house visits, assistance devices, parental counselling and awareness for children suffering from acute and chronic mental illnesses

11. Promising Practices-Disability Interventions
Community Based Rehabilitation Program(DoSS)
Self Help Groups
Volunteers
Access Facilities
Training & Capacity Building
Counselling
Aid Programs for Persons with disabilities(Gov & NGO)
Medical, Housing, Self Employment, Disability Aid equipment
Education Facilities (Gov & NGO)
Special Schools
Special Units in Mainstream schools
Inclusive Education
Education- Gov & NGOs
Census of Population and Housing 2012

12. Promising Practices-Disability Interventions Contd…
Vocational Training & Rehabilitation Centers
National Department of Social Services
10 Vocational Training & Rehabilitation Centers (Avg Persons) – For Youth
1 Child Rehabilitation & Guiding Center (Avg 100 Children)
Schools and Centers for Special Need Children

13. LBGTQ

14. LGBTQ It’s not in the child rights discourse in the country
No research available within the alternative care field
Pathologisation of diverse sexualities and resistance towards them
Social, Cultural and religious beliefs

15. LGBTQ -Progressive Developments
Circular 01-34/2016 Issuing of Gender Recognition Certificate for Transgender Persons
Two Key Developments in Legal System
Reforming the Penal Code to ensure that all offences contained in the Code are in compliance with international human rights standards. 
Present constitutional reform process includes the consideration of the explicit guarantee of non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Few NGOs promoting the rights of LGBTQ communities
Responding to the questions and concerns raised at the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sri Lanka in Geneva on Wednesday (15), Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle said Sri Lanka was in the process of taking measures to guarantee the right to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Daily Mirror

16. Child Participation

17. Child Participation -Gaps & Challenges
Attitudes/beliefs (adult centricism) and lack of understanding of meaningful child participation
Cultural barriers and community dynamics
Over identification of child participation with Children Clubs
Focus and type of activities carried out in the clubs
Lack of participation of Children in activities

18. Child participation in DI Potential
Currently available spaces for child participation
Child Clubs (few CCI)
Strengthened Structure of Child Clubs and Councils (DPCCS, Provincial, Schools, NGOs etc) – Village to national level
Amended DPCCS Child Clubs & Councils constitution which encourage participation of Institutionalized & Disable children in clubs
Family group conference
Village Child Rights Monitoring Committees (VCRMCs)
Placement Committees
Children consultation in alternative care policy & certain Civil society led DI processes(LPI)

19. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka
Gaps and Challenges for Inclusion
&
Potentials for DI/Promising Practices

20. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka – Gaps & Challenges for inclusion
Lack of information & information gathering systems
Resistance to change
Lack of Competencies
Lack of Coordination

21. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka – the Potential

22. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka – the Potential
Primary (general services)
Many but insufficient/ineffective; poor accessibility
Secondary (targeted services)
Case management process (State)
New national guidelines
Care Plans
Family Group Conferencing
Clinical case management (sexual abuse)
Promising practices (CSO):
CERI – Kinship Care
Sarvodaya – Community-based DI Project
SOS CV – Family Strengthening Project
Drop-in centres for street children/children from difficult backgrounds

23. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka – the Potential
Tertiary (reintegration) – State
Placement Committee meetings
‘Back to Home’ project – Sabaragamuwa Province, expanding to other provinces
Collaborative Care Plans – Central Province
Other promising practices/models
CBR for children with disability (State) – DoSS
VCRMCs/CPCs (State/CSO)
SOS Children’s Villages (CSO) – family-like care (Group Fostering)
Policy and commitments of the government
National Alternative Care Policy (Draft)– DPCCS
Care Plans for vulnerable children – DPCCS (Rs. 30 mln)
National Guidelines on Case Management – MoW&CA
Family Policy – MoSS
Check the status of the Family Policy

24. Deinstitutionalization in Sri Lanka – the Potential The Local Process Initiative (LPI)

25. All children should be a Part of the Society, not apart from society.
Thank You !