‘Family-Based Solutions’ is dedicated to putting an end to the institutionalisation of children, to making sure that all vulnerable children receive the care and protection they need in a family-based setting and to make sure that children are not separated from their own families – or are reintegrated if they have already been separated – unless it is in their best interest, for children all over the world.
An estimated 8 million children currently live in institutions and so-called orphanages around the world. Of that number, about 80% of children have at least one living parent and many more have other living relatives. These are people who with the right support in their homes and in the community would be able and happy to look after their own children.
I provide guidance and capacity building and develop frameworks for organisations or governments who want to move from institutional to family-based care for children and set up community services and family strengthening. In the Community on this website, I bring together people involved in alternative care and child protection from all over the world to share ideas and experiences. And I raise awareness on a wide range of issues, through my publications, public speaking, and the blogs on this website.
It is worth looking through the blogs if you would like to know more about the effects of institutionalisation on children, how ‘orphanages’ are connected to child trafficking, what risks to the children are connected to volunteering in ‘orphanages’ or sponsoring them, how children end up in institutions, and what is involved in the move towards family-based care.
Let’s work together to make sure all these children can find a proper home in a family, and live fulfilling lives.
You can contact me for requests for consultancy, technical editing and writing on a wide range of subjects connected to child protection and alternative care at info@familybasedsolutions.org . Have a look at the ‘Publications’ page to download various publications for free, and to find links to order my books.
