There is a global reliance on institutional care for children in both child protection and children in conflict with the law. Knowing that it is a necessary process, how do we engage key stakeholders in the strategic change? In India, while latest legislation, the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 is supportive of family-based care and new rules, there is significant lacking in the implementation procedures being created. This limits the progress in India where the goal of placing children in family-based fostercare is slow and has met many barriers.
This plenary session will highlight some of the issues, such as the lack of availability of data, funding and delivery of services, as well as the planning of the transitional period toward family-based services and creation of quality social workforces. It will also share strategies used in Asia and other areas of the world of how to engage key stakeholders in the change process, how to advocate for policy change, and how to develop culturally relevant community and family-based alternatives. The aim is to continue the global conversation about deinstitutionalisation and promote the cross-country and cross-cultural conversations that are critical in creating change.
