Child Protection China Project #13517

Orphans into loving foster families in China

by Care for Children

Project Report | Feb 21, 2024
Success in China: Final Milestone Achieved

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

We are excited to share with you the significant milestones achieved as we approach the concluding phase of our project, "Orphans into loving foster families in China". As we reflect on our journey since the project’s inception in 1998, we are proud of the transformative impact we have made in the lives of vulnerable children.

Since our project's inception, we have witnessed remarkable success in transitioning China's childcare system from institutional care to a family-based model. The collaborative efforts of Care for Children and the Chinese government have paved the way for systemic change in childcare practices that have seen an estimated 1 million+ children growing up in families instead of institutional care.

Through consultation, training, and advocacy, we have empowered the Chinese government to champion family care initiatives. The enactment of "National Regulations for Family Care" in 2014 signified a permanent shift towards prioritizing family placements for children in need. This legislative support underscores the sustainability and long-term impact of our project.

Our emphasis on family care has not only improved outcomes for children but also led to a significant redistribution of funds. With over 50% of governmental funding for children in care now allocated to family allowances and support, the family-based care model now has the sustainable funding to continue indefinitely.

The extensive training provided by Care for Children has equipped over 5,000 government officials, institution directors, social workers, and families with the knowledge and skills to support family care initiatives. Our training-of-trainers approach ensures the scalability and sustainability of our impact beyond the project's conclusion. This means that even though the project is now concluding, our training is still being utilised and disseminated across the country by government staff.

Building on our success in China, we have received invitations from several Asian countries to introduce family care as an alternative to institutional care. This expansion speaks to the replicability and scalability of our model, offering hope to vulnerable children across the region. We now have active project sites in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, furthering our vision of a world of children in families.

As we enter the concluding phase of our project, we express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. Together, we have transformed the lives of countless children, providing them with the love, stability, and security of a family environment.

While this project may be concluding, our dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable children remains steadfast. We look forward to celebrating our achievements together and embarking on new endeavours to create a brighter future for all children.

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Oct 25, 2023
The importance of belonging

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

The importance of a sense of identity and belonging in the lives of children is central to their development and well-being. Belonging begins within the family and community and shapes a child's identity through relationships and experiences. It's crucial for children to understand their own significance and cultural identity, fostering respect for themselves and others.

This is exemplified by this story about a boy in China who was moved out of an institution and placed into a local, loving family in the community.

When children feel a sense of belonging, it creates an environment where learning can flourish. Such an environment encourages open and collaborative learning, where children feel safe to share ideas, apply their knowledge, and take risks. Positive relationships and a supportive community contribute to this sense of belonging, motivating children to succeed.

These connections and attachments that children form from birth play a significant role in their emotional security and well-being. Positive relationships, warmth, and consistency help children feel safe and confident. Building strong attachments with adults and peers is beneficial for their mental health and development. In childcare settings, the interplay between children, families, and staff is essential in nurturing positive relationships, which, in turn, promotes children's well-being as they grow. In the context of placing orphans and vulnerable children from institutions into families, these principles emphasize the significance of creating a sense of identity and belonging within the new family environment. It underscores the importance of nurturing positive relationships and providing a safe, caring, and supportive space where children can thrive and develop emotionally, cognitively, and socially.

I hope this gives you a further insight into the importance of family placement for orphans and vulnerable children.

Stay connected for more updates. Thank you so much for your support.

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Jul 4, 2023
Matching to placement

By James Paul | Senior Grant Writer

In China, we have had unprecedented success in enabling the government to move children out of institutions (also known as orphanages) and into local family-based care. Our training covers the whole process of placing a child in a family, from assessing the children and foster carers to monitoring the placement.

Once a child is matched with suitable family carers, there is an important process of transition. It is integral to the emotional wellbeing of the child for the stages to remain in this order. Every child is different, and the details of the transition should be determined by the child’s individual needs.

Matching

A proposed match will be carefully and thoughtfully considered by the family care worker and brought before a panel of professionals to make a decision on the match.
The decision is made based on the family carers’ skills, expertise and ability to meet the child's needs.
They will also consider similarities between the child and family carers.

Introductions

The child and family carers are introduced to each other gradually, supported by the family care worker.
These introductions may involve fun activities to make the experience less intense for all concerned.

Transition

Children must have a transition stage between meeting the family carers and moving to live with them. This is an important time for children and carers as they get to know each other. There should be a gradual increase in the time spent in the family carers’ home to help both the child and the family carers ensure that they are ready for the new family care arrangement.

Placement

Once transitions have proceeded successfully, the child moves in with the family carer and is cared for fully within the family.

I hope this gives you a further insight into our training, which has been such a key part of our work in transitioning China from institutional care to family-based care for orphans and vulnerable children.

Stay connected for more updates. Thank you so much for your support.

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