Protection and care of children on the move: ISS Projects
- Written by: Fanny Baert, COO and Director Communications ISS, Sources: ISS Publications
- Pioneer advocacy
In this third article related to the protection and care of children on the move (COM), we will list some recent examples of ISS projects, underlining the tremendous value of ISS experience in cross border casework and collaboration with national authorities, civil society and international partners.
1. 2017 Publication Children on the Move
Inspired by the regional mechanism developed by the West Africa Network and the ECOWAS Support Procedures, (see article 2), one of the most impactful and durable actions ISS undertook for the protection of COM was the publication of a practical manual “Children on the move, From protection towards a quality sustainable solution, A practical guide.”
ISS believes that States need to place every child at the centre of their decision-making process. Therefore, ISS commits to 1) provide COM with individualised, child-centred, sustainable and quality solutions, 2) develop and follow harmonised care standards to ensure quality and continuity of transnational care and 3) establish adequate case monitoring and follow-up mechanisms across borders. By publishing this manual, ISS was calling for a greater collaboration between countries, governments and their respective child protection agencies and organisations, and for the establishment of effective transnational referral processes for the protection of children on the move.
The richness of this manual is based on the daily cross border casework of ISS members and specific projects targeting this group of children in all regions of the world. The manual is a hands-on tool that helps professionals dealing with children on the move, such as social and humanitarian workers, ensure that the child’s best interests are at the heart of decision-making. The manual follows an eight-step procedure, defining concrete actions and recommendations during each step. The eight steps are 1. Arrival, detection and identification, 2. Immediate support and care, 3. Assessment of the child’s situation, 4. Temporary integration and quality care arrangements in the host country, 5. Evaluation in the country of origin, 6. Determination of a sustainable solution in the child’s best interests, 7. Implementation of the sustainable solution and 8. Monitoring and follow-up.
2. 2018 – 2020 MOOC Caring for Children moving alone
During 2018 – 2020, ISS participated in the development of the MOOC Caring for Children moving alone. The MOOC was developed by the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, and the Center for excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) together with a taskforce of international organisations.
3. 2019 – 2021 Technical assistance to Mexico
Between 2019 and 2021, ISS collaborated with UNICEF Mexico to develop a ‘National Strategy for child protection and alternative care and Implementation of quality alternative care for COM in Mexico’. The project resulted in a roadmap for the implementation of a system reform.
4. 2019 – 2022 Collaboration with Morocco
Between 2019 and 2022, ISS partnered with UNICEF Morocco and the Moroccan government to develop Standard Operating Procedures for best interest assessment and best interest determination processes for COM, and capacity building of professionals. The project was implemented in three regions namely Tangier, Oujda and Rabat.
5. 2021 – 2033 Children and young people on migration routes between West and North Africa
Since 2021, ISS is a partner in the ongoing project ‘Children and young people on migration routes between West and North Africa.’
The ultimate goal of this project is to assure that the countries of West and North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco, Mali, Guinea and Niger) develop and apply a regulatory and institutional framework to ensure that migrant children and young people are protected and have access to basic education and training to improve their chances and opportunities for a dignified life.
ISS is committed to continue to stand up for the protection and rights of children on the move.
As we live in an era of polycrises (see ISS/IRC Special Edition Newsletter N. 269), marked by overlapping structural challenges such as COVID-19, violent conflicts, rising poverty and social exclusion, children will continue to move across borders to look for a better future. Climate change compound these crises, exacerbating vulnerabilities, pushing children to leave their homes. Climate hazards disrupt children’s health, development, and family stability, often leading to displacement, abuse and exploitation, and adversely affect the full enjoyment of their rights. As climate-related challenges escalate, so does the risk of family separation.
To learn more about the negative consequences of climate change for vulnerable children, please look out for the ISS/IRC July – August Newsletter Editorial to be published by the beginning of September 2024.
Sources and more reading:
https://www.iss-ssi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Childrenonthemove_EN.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/morocco/recits/hijra-wa-himaya
https://iss-ssi.org/storage/2023/04/COM_factsheet_ANG.pdf
More information on ISS work and advocacy for the protection and rights of children are to be found on our website under ISS resources and advocacy.