UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The rights of children in alternative care

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), SOS Children’s Villages and the Council of Europe have published a youth friendly version of the rights of children in alternative care together. The publication is based on the UNCRC, the Q4C Standards and the Recommendations of the Council of Europe on the rights of children living in residential institutions (2005).

The Council of Europe officially launched the brochure on 20 November in Strasbourg. Moreover, the Council of Europe and SOS Children’s Villages will present the brochure together in Helsinki on 2 December 2009 in the framework of an international event on child participation.

The brochure was developed by experts together with young people from European countries with care experience. An effective combination of explanations regarding the legal framework on the one hand and practical solutions on the other, the brochure points out typical situations in which young people can make use of their rights while they are in alternative care or about to leave care.

 Renaldo, Raluca and Peter, three fictitious young people in alternative care, tell their stories as well as the stories of other children and young people in alternative care. General information about alternative care (including a glossary and useful links) and tips for children and young people complete the information contained within these stories.

Children and young people in care - Discover your rights! will be available soon for download.

Whilst the Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, there remains a pressing need for guidance in implementing the convention for millions of children worldwide without, or at risk of losing, parental care. These children face many challenges to their rights to be cared for, to education, and to access health care. They can also face significant discrimination and stigmatisation, both as children and as adults.

"The Guidelines are a long overdue necessity. They are intended to ensure adequate responses to the often highly complex and delicate situation of children who have lost, or are at risk of losing, parental care. The implementation of the Guidelines will ensure that children are listened to and receive specific attention for their particular situation and needs. Furthermore, the Guidelines will help us to speak out for those children and to constantly monitor and improve our own services", said Richard Pichler, Secretary-General of SOS Children's Villages International.

The Guidelines stress first and foremost that all efforts should be made to strengthen vulnerable families with a view to keeping the child with his or her family. If such strengthening efforts are not successful or not appropriate then, only in cases of necessity, should children be placed in alternative care. The Guidelines discuss a range of options including foster care, other family-based environments, or small group residential care, from which the option chosen should meet the best interests of the children in each specific case.

SOS Children's Villages and the Guidelines for the Alternative care of Children

Children without parental care, or at risk of losing parental care, are the focus of SOS Children's Villages. The Guidelines emphasise that these children and their families need particular attention and solutions. SOS Children's Villages can reflect upon decades of experience in supporting families and providing alternative care. The SOS Children's Villages programme consists specifically of family strengthening interventions to keep families together, and offering alternative care in a family environment when required. We strengthen and support families through tailor-made programmes (counselling services, life-skills training, income-generating activities, material support, capacity-building of recourses in the community), so that families are empowered and capable of caring for and protecting their children.

We therefore welcome the Guidelines which echo some well established standards in our work. For example, the Guidelines particularly emphasise principles such as keeping siblings together, and of ensuring that young people are suitably prepared, supported and empowered for life after being in care.

Recognition by the UN General Assembly gives the Guidelines political weight which strengthens NGOs like SOS Children's Villages, working with and for children, in demanding that their concerns be heard and rights respected. It is with great pleasure that we welcome the UN General Assembly's (adoption or recognition) of the Guidelines and the important issues they address.