Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children in Kenya (2014): A User-friendly Handbook

Department of Children's Services - Republic of Kenya 2019

This handbook is a key tool for supporting care reform in Kenya, promoting family-based alternative care for children, and moving away from institutional care.

This book is particularly written for formal and informal government practitioners: social workers, child protection volunteers, police, health workers, teachers, community health workers, child and youth workers, probation officers, and para-social workers, including:

Chiefs, Nyumba Kumi and Village elders, and Area Advisory Councils

Community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in communities

The objectives of this handbook are to:

Enable people to develop a better understanding of the Kenyan child care and protection system

Summarize the Guidelines for the Alternative Family Care of Children in Kenya

Outline key regional and international legislation and policy frameworks for children outside of parental care

Highlight:

the right to grow up in a family environment

the need to prevent family and child separation

the challenges and problems with institutional care

provide and signpost practical guidance on alternative care

Read the accompanying Facilitator’s Training Manual.

.