Children in institutional settings

Abstract

It is difficult to imagine now, but during the 1970s there were nearly 40 000 children living in institutions in England. The experience could be horrific for children. The reports of the abuse and maltreatment of many of those children that took place are widespread and led to a marked decline in the use of institutional homes for children and a drive towards fostering for most children entering care. 1 Narey M Residential care in England: report of Sir Martin Narey's independent review of children's residential care. Department for Education, London, UK2016 Google Scholar Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children 1: a systematic and integrative review of evidence regarding effects on developmentMillions of children worldwide are brought up in institutional care settings rather than in families. These institutions vary greatly both in terms of their organisational principles and structure, and in terms of the quality of care provided. Although institutions are universally recognised as providing suboptimal caregiving environments, consensus is still needed on how to interpret the evidence relating to the size, range, and persistence of the effect of institutional care on the development and wellbeing of children. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children 2: policy and practice recommendations for global, national, and local actorsWorldwide, millions of children live in institutions, which runs counter to both the UN-recognised right of children to be raised in a family environment, and the findings of our accompanying systematic review of the physical, neurobiological, psychological, and mental health costs of institutionalisation and the benefits of deinstitutionalisation of child welfare systems. In this part of the Commission, international experts in reforming care for children identified evidence-based policy recommendations to promote family-based alternatives to institutionalisation. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children: the Executive Summary from a Lancet Group CommissionThis Lancet Group Commission advocates global reform of the care of separated children through the progressive replacement of institutional provision with safe and nurturing family-based care. It provides essential information on both the global scale of institutionalisation and its physical, social, and mental health consequences. It presents a pragmatic roadmap for carefully managed change. Here we outline the ten key messages from the Commission. Full-Text PDF Institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation of children – Authors' replyThe Lancet Commission Group appreciates the important comments from the Validity Foundation, European Network on Independent Living, Disability Rights International, Inclusion International, and the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Full-Text PDF