Strengthening Child Protection Systems
in Viet Nam
Le Hong Loan, Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Viet Nam
Email: lhloan@unicef.org
Child Protection Challenges
No comprehensive child protection legal framework
No clear definitions on child neglect, abuse, and exploitation
Lack of clarity on role government agencies and civil society
Lack of procedures and standards on prevention and
interventions
Low priority in public expenditure
Limited structure and capacity
Lack of linkages between Justice and Social Welfare in legal
framework and programming
Lack of data and monitoring system, including national data on
violence against children, child trafficking…
PROGRAMME STRATEGY
Child Protection Framework
(Legislation, policies, research)
Child Protection Structure
(designated/specialized teams of social workers,
police, judges, juvenile court..)
Child Protection Services
Child
Protection
Services
Out-ofHome Care
Child Friendly
Justice Services
Behavior Change Communications
Progress Achieved
Legislation, strategies and policies on Social Welfare and Justice
Strengthened Social Welfare System
Good progress toward professionalization of social work profession
Improved capacity of social welfare staff
Community-based child protection structures – move away from issue/categorybased response
Improved family support and shared care
Integration of child protection issues into social assistance/cash transfer and
other social protection policies
Development of respite care
Improved alternative care
Reforming adoption system
Development of foster care
Reforming of institutional care
Improved rehabilitation services for children victims of trafficking, CSEC, abuse,
street children, and children affected by HIV/AIDS
Improving protection services for children with disabilities and Mental Health
Community based
child protection system (CBCPS)
Provide prevention (primary and secondary) and child
protection services (tertiary) for children in community
Mobilize resources from the government, informal
sector and the community
Coordinate the effort of local authorities, relevant
agencies, mass organizations, social organizations,
NGOs, community and families in child protection
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Objectives of CBCPS
o Support families and communities to undertake the
care and protection of children
o Stop risks of harm occur to children
o Rehabilitate children victims of harm
o Support and rehabilitate families and communities
where harm towards children has occurred.
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Child Protection Service Structure at District Level
District Child Protection
Committee
Procuracy
DOLISA
Court
Alternative
care
Hospital
Emergency
center
Inter-agency
working group
NGOs
Police
Justice
Social Work Service Centre
Child Protection Officer
Volunteers
Health care
worker
Teacher
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Achievement of CBCPS in Viet Nam
Community-based child protection system has been
implemented in 40/63 provinces
20 social work service centres are in operation. 16 of
them are delivering child protection services
Recommendations
• An operational guideline on child protection
service delivery for social work service centres
in the country
• Enhancement of child protection capacity for
workers in social work service centres
• Increase of inter-sectoral cooperation for
referral of child protection cases
• A national data base on child protection in the
country
Thank you for your attention!
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