Strength-based case management for children in institutional care

Abstract

The family's influence on a child's life is an unquestionable truth. The preamble of the convention on the rights of the child states that ‘… the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding’. No child wants to move away from his/her family. Yet, children have no control over their circumstances and often they are silent victims of violence and abuse towards them and are forced to flee from their homes to accept shelter in institutions. There is a huge body of evidence on the adverse effects of institutional care of children. Many countries have taken initiatives to promote alternatives to institutional care, such as strengthening families, kinship care, foster care and adoption. Children are often traumatised by being abandoned or being physically, emotionally or sexually abused prior to entering the institutional care. There is extensive and growing evidence showing how the experience of abuse and neglect may have a long-term, negative impact on children's physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural development. Child maltreatment in institutions further deteriorates their mental health, increases their vulnerability and reduces their resilience causing complex mental health problems. This article highlights the importance of strength-based case management framework in order to provide therapeutic care addressing the specific issues and needs of each child. A professional social worker who acts as a key worker for each child, with manageable case load, works collaboratively with the child, family and other professionals and support agencies. Assessment of risk factors, protective factors, abilities and possibilities in order to prevent further harm and promote hope, enhance their parenting capacity, mobilise physical as well as social resources etc are some of the major tasks of the case manager. These individualized professional services inculcate a feeling of ‘home away from home’ in children who live in institutions and certainly it is a pathway to de-institutionalisation.