Author: Florence

I am the founder of and consultant at Family-Based Solutions. I have started this website and this community, and I am the moderator. I have been involved in alternative care since 2007, having been involved up close in China, Brazil, India, Kenya and Myanmar. Initially I ran another NGO dedicated to improving the chance of survival and the quality of life of children in institutions, over time getting more and more involved with family-based alternatives and community services. In 2018 I folded the previous NGO and founded Family-Based Solutions. You can find more information on what I do now on the other pages of this website.

Child Protection Issues Foreseen

Posted on July 9, 2020July 11, 2020 by Florence

In the email I posted in the previous blog (HERE), which in turn was forwarded to other organisations, a strong increase in children ending up in institutions due to the pandemic was mentioned. I would like to explain further why this fear exists, and I will also like to share with you some of the issues that came up during conversations I have had with people involved in child protection and alternative care in various countries, as a result of sending the email.

Preparing for Post-Pandemic Recovery

Posted on July 6, 2020July 11, 2020 by Florence

In today’s blog, I want to share with you the email that I have sent out to 19 big organisations in May. It is a bit longer than my average blog, but it is worth it:

I am trying to make organisations aware of both the dangers that lie ahead for vulnerable children, and of the opportunity to do something to mitigate those dangers, and I wanted to bring this to your attention as well.

An Update on Goings On

Posted on July 2, 2020July 11, 2020 by Florence

After 20 blogs laying out the explanation with the Theory of Change model for deinstitutionalisation or setting up a comprehensive child protection system, it feels like coming back after having been away for a while. For ten weeks, I have not been able to comment on current events and the work that I have been doing – except on the forum (which you can find HERE). That has not always been easy because a lot has been going on. Still, I do not regret ‘taking this time away’. I think it was important to provide the information given over the previous 20 blogs and to have posted other blogs in between would have created confusion. In any case, now the time has come to catch up again.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Continued Development

Posted on June 29, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 20 of the explanation with the ToC: Development work is never done. There is no such thing as a perfect child and social protection system Even if someone should manage to establish something that would be considered a perfect system according to today’s best practice, by next month new insights and information will emerge to show that certain things that were long considered to be beneficial turn out to be harmful to children. So, changes need to be made again.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Identifying Those at Risk

Posted on June 25, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 19 of the explanation with the ToC: Once there are no more children in institutions, that too is not the end of the work to be done. Family-based alternative care and family strengthening do not just serve to absorb children who previously lived in institutions. These systems are in place to provide support and protection to the most vulnerable families and children in society.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Monitoring Children

Posted on June 22, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 18 of the explanation with the ToC: Once children have been placed back with their own families, or in foster families or other family- and community-based alternative care placements, that is not the end of the road or the work. The necessary support has to continue to be given to the families and caregivers (whether they are the child’s own family or not), and the child’s situation and well-being need to be monitored.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Increase Govt Involvement

Posted on June 18, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 17 of the explanation with the ToC: Whether this step is relevant, depends on the circumstances of your transition. If you are working with or for the government at the national level to set up a family-based alternative care system, obviously there is no need to get the government more involved in the process and the system.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Preparing Children 2

Posted on June 15, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 16 of the explanation with the ToC: Last Thursday the reasons for the need for preparation of children were explained, in this blog, some practical tips on how to help the child make a smooth transition.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Preparing Children 1

Posted on June 11, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 15 of the explanation with the ToC: Once a decision has been made about where a child is going to go, that is just the start of a lengthy road to move the child out. You cannot simply tell the child that this is what has been decided and then have him or her pack his or her things and be dropped off at a new home. Even if the child is to return to his or her own family, a period of preparation is necessary.

Model for Setting Up Alternative Care System: Redirecting Resources

Posted on June 8, 2020May 14, 2020 by Florence

Part 14 of the explanation with the ToC: When an institution is to be closed, there tends to be a lot of resistance on many accounts, one of them being the ‘loss’ or ‘waste’ of the resources available to the institution. Generally, a residential childcare institution will have a building, possibly with land, furnishings of all kinds, supply stores and possibly vehicles. It will also have a funding stream to cover its costs and staff to run the place and take care of the children. Staff tends to be extremely worried about losing their jobs, in addition to other misgivings.