Part 4 of the explanation with the ToC: Gathering data, in a variety of ways and on a variety of topics, is an essential part of the process. Information on the current situation is the foundation of all decisions, strategies and actions that will be made. Without knowing what is and is not currently present, and the background of why that is so, there is no way of determining what needs to happen and what needs to be put in place.
As a start is made with the gathering of data, it will become clear that some data is already available, while other data is nowhere to be found and will need to be collected as part of the transition process. It goes without saying that if the transition process is taking place at the national level, much more data will need to be gathered than if the transition process is just for a single institution. At the national level, it will not be possible to get detailed information for everyone involved on all topics. It may be necessary to use sample data instead. If sample data is used, it is important to make sure that the sample is representative for the entire area or population that it is supposed to represent.
Whether the transition process is handled at the local or the national level, it will still be necessary to gather information at the level of individual institutions, communities and the national government level. Even when operating at the grassroots level, the influence of national legislation and the availability of services in the community are going to determine the course of the process, so information about this is essential.
At the national level, data is needed on:
- Legislation surrounding alternative care and family strengthening
- Is there a gap between what laws and policies say should happen and what is actually happening in practice?
- What government departments/levels are responsible for children in alternative care and living in vulnerable families?
- Is there communication/coordination between these departments/levels?
- Are there gatekeeping systems in place to decide which children end up in alternative care?
- What are these gatekeeping systems, who is involved?
- To what extent is the judiciary branch involved in placing children in alternative care?
- What civil society organisations or groups are involved in alternative care and children living in vulnerable families?
- Is there cooperation/coordination between civil society organisations and the government on child protection and alternative care?
- Is there a formal alternative care system?
- What alternative care options are currently available, and which are used most?
- Is there a social workforce/social services?
- Is there poverty relief and/or family-strengthening?
- Is data available for children in alternative care and children living in vulnerable families?
- How is the data available being stored, managed and used?
- Are there any organisations involved in the move from institutional to family-based care in the country?
At the community level, information is needed on:
- What community and social services are available?
- General/universal
- Targeted
- Specialised
- Who provides these services?
- Are there organisations working in the community to strengthen it?
- Is there informal kinship care?
- Does the community provide a safety net for families?
- What are the major stigmas and areas of discrimination leading to children being separated from their families?
- Is there a particular group (e.g. religious leaders or labour unions) that has an overwhelming influence on political decision-making and/or community opinion? (if so, getting this group to work with you will be key to getting anything done)
Data gathering and Analysis is to be continued on Thursday. If you want to read the explanation with the model from the very start, you can go HERE.
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If you would like to read the explanation with the model from the very start, you can go HERE.
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