Minimum Standards for Child Friendly Spaces and Children’s Centers
SUDAN FINAL
October 2011
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This version of the Child Friendly Spaces Minimum Standards is a revision of the Darfur 2007
CFSs standards and is endorsed by the Child Protection SubSector for the whole Sudan.
FACILITIES/MATERIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
2
1.
GENERAL STANDARDS
1.1.
Organizations implementing CFS programming should have a clear statement setting
forth the purpose of the CFS and the services provided in support of that purpose.1
The organization should ensure that the purpose and services of CFS are clearly
communicated
through
participatory
consultations
and
discussion
with
the
community, parents, and children themselves.
1.2.
Organizations implementing CFS programming should have a clearly defined child
protection policy which reflects the standards set forth by international and national
law, and which provides guidance and procedures for the staff to follow when or if
they discover or suspect a child has been or is being abused or neglected. 2 The child
protection policy should be clearly displayed in each of the main spaces including the
entrance at the CFS, and all parents/primary caregivers and staff should be made
aware of its existence and contents.3
1.3.
Organizations implementing CFS programming should have a code of conduct for staff
and volunteers that clearly describes the appropriate behavior and boundaries for
staff vis-à-vis the children in their care, and which should be signed by each staff
person, including volunteers. The code of conduct should be translated into the local
language and clearly displayed in each of the facilities at the CFS, with the reporting
and disciplinary procedure set forth clearly for all to see.4 Each staff member should
also be provided with a printed copy of this code of conduct in the national/local
language that they can clearly understand. An accessible and confidential reporting
mechanism for violations of the Code of Conduct should be agreed upon and
disseminated to staff, parents, the community, and children themselves.
Clear and purposeful statements are important because the CFS is more likely to meet the needs
of the children if the aims and standards for their care are set forth clearly.
1.4.
Children have the right to a standard of care that is adequate for their physical,
intellectual, emotional, spiritual, moral and social development, 5 specifically with
regard to hygiene, play and essential needs.6
1.5.
The CFS location, design and size should be in keeping with its purpose and function,
taking into consideration the constraints of the local context.7 If this is not the case
then all measures possible should be taken so it can effectively serve the needs of the
3
children within it, and provide an environment that is supportive of the different
needs of children.
1.6.
Referral pathways to health, nutrition, education and other child-protection relevant
services should be communicated/known by all staff/volunteers.
1.7.
Consultations and discussions with the community should promote the understanding
and commitment that the primary purpose and priority of the CFS is for integrated
child protection. Community use of the space should be limited to those times when
such activities will not interfere with or undermine the implementation of activities for
children.8
2.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSTANDARDS
2.1.
All measures possible should be taken to ensure accessibility to the CFS for children
with special physical and intellectual needs. This could include practical solutions
using materials within camps to create ramps or holding rails if needed.
Children with special physical and intellectual needs should have access to the same facilities as
other children. CFSs have an obligation to ensure such access so that children with disabilities
can participate in the services provided by the CFS without being hindered by their special needs.
3.
ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES
3.1.
The CFS should have an areaor time for staff, parents and other visitors and which
are separate from those used by children. The space/time should enable the staff to
meet their personal needs, as well as conduct interviews or meetings and carry out
administrative tasks.9
Separate administrative facilities allow the staff of the CFS to carry out both official and nonofficial tasks without disturbing the children at the CFS. It also helps ensure the privacy of the
staff in the performance of some of their duties away from the children.
4
4.
TOILET FACILITIES
4.1.
Each CFS should have hand-washing facilities (including soap or ash), and
accessibility to a clean water source, including clean drinking water.
Safe hygiene
practices, such as hand and face washing, should be incorporated as a daily activity
for children in the CFS.
4.2.
The CFS should have toilet/latrine facilities that are conveniently located inside the
CFS and easily accessible to the children.10 There should either be separate facilities
for boys or girls, or a mechanism to ensure that girls and boys do not use the toilets
at the same time. Age factor should be also taken into account when designing and
locating latrines/toilets.
4.3.
Toilets should be situated and designed to take account of the children’s needs for
privacy, dignity, safety and any disability, and should be easily accessible from the
recreational facilities at the CFS.
Bathroom facilities need to be easily accessible to children to ensure that their developmental
needs are being met and that good hygiene is being practiced. They also need to cater to the
different categories of children at the CFS, as well as ensure their privacy rights.
4.4.
The staff members should use separate toilet and bathroom facilities to those used by
children. If that is not possible, the staff members may use the same facilities only
when children are not using them.11
4.5.
Where possible each CFS should try to ensure that the toilet facilities can be
locked/fixed/secured from the inside12 and that only staff members are able to open
the doors to bathrooms, showers and toilets from the outside in case of emergency.13
This ensures that the children’s right to privacy is respected. It also guards against the potential
for abuse or inappropriate behavior.
4.6.
Each CFS should ensure that the bathroom facilities are regularly cleaned (at a
minimum, daily) and disinfected.14 Older children should be encouraged to have the
responsibility to keep the facilities clean.
These types of settings allow illness and infection to spread rapidly; thus standards of hygiene
should be extremely high.
5
5.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
5.1.
Each CFS should have recreational facilities and activities on-site that are tailored to
the different needs of children.15
Such activities contribute to the development of the children, physically, socially, and
intellectually.
5.2 Children should have access to and a choice in the selection of games and activities.
5.2.
The indoor play areas, where possible, should have natural lighting and proper
ventilation. The indoor play areas should promote all areas of child development
(social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional), and should, subject to
availability, including areas that accommodate dramatic play,
interactive play and
education, art activities, gross motor skills activities and a quiet area. . Equipment
and pay materials should be culturally sensitive and age-appropriate. The indoor play
areas should be organized so that children can choose and access play materials with
minimal assistance (i.e. low shelves, open bins, etc). 16
5.3.
The CFS should have as large an outdoor play area as space permits and which allows
sufficient space for team sport and other recreation activities.
5.4.
The CFS and surrounding play area should be demarcated and enclosed on all sides
and should have specific entrance(s) through which people can enter and exit, in
order to facilitate monitoring the movement of children, staff and others into and out
of the CFS.
5.5.
The CFS should ensure that the indoor and outdoor play areas and equipment are of
sufficient quantity and variety for the number and ages of the children at the CFS and
the equipment therein is safe and maintained in good repair. Whenever possible
recreation/art materials should be chosen in consultation with children. 17
5.6.
The equipment in the outdoor play areas should be at a height suitable for the age
and height of the children who use it. Separate outdoor play areas should be provided
for infants and toddlers with age appropriate equipment.
The equipment in the
outdoor play areas should be cleaned, maintained and monitored prior to use by the
children to ensure its safety. 18
6
5.7.
There should be shaded areas available (i.e. trees; building; awning; umbrellas; etc.)
in and around the outdoor play areas, and if possible a variety of ground surfaces
available in the outdoor play areas to encourage a range of activities; in, areas under
and around climbing structures/slides/swings, there should be cushioning or sand to
avoid injury. 19
5.8.
Recreational spaces should be used as an opportunity for children to present and
express their work and creativity. The children’s artwork, drawings, sculptures and
other crafts should be prominently displayed in the CFS.
The equipment in the outdoor play areas should be appropriate to the children’s physical size
and level of development in order to meet children’s needs in all areas of development. The
maintenance of the equipment therein is key to ensuring the safety of those children by
ensuring that the equipment and play materials accessible to children are maintained properly so that the
children can play safely. Further, taking precautionary measures protects children from injury due to falls
in outdoor play areas, thus ensuring their safety at the CFS, and allowing them to truly enjoy the play
areas.
6.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
6.1.
Each CFS should have access to a space for the treatment of any injury or minor
illness that may occur to children while under the care of the CFS staff.20 This space
should be adequate to deal with the different needs of children.
6.2.
If no clinic is in the vicinity one staff with first aid training should be present at CFS at
all times while operating and first aid kit available.
6.3.
The CFS should assist in promoting the health and life skills that are age appropriate
for the children using its services. This should be carried out by specialist medical
staff and could include, but is not limited to the promotion of, immunization and
screening, nutrition and diet, exercise and rest, personal hygiene, child rights and
where appropriate and culturally acceptable – how to make positive choices
surrounding: sexual health, the effects of alcohol, smoking and other substances, as
well as information about HIV/AIDS and other diseases. 21
6.4.
When dealing with sick children, cleaning up spills of blood and other body fluids,
staff members should always wear gloves or use plastic bags to protect their hands.22
7
6.5.
There should be facilities for proper waste disposal. This rubbish should be burned or
buried in a location outside the CFS.
6.6.
Any materials like wash cloths or towels used to wipe faces or clean messes should be
kept away from children and washed and soaked in a container to ensure they are
completely sanitized before re-use.
These types of settings allow illness and infection to spread rapidly; thus standards of hygiene
should be extremely high.
6.7.
CFS catering to children with disabilities should ensure the provision of assistive
devices and equipment, personal assistance and interpreter services, according to the
needs of persons with disabilities.
23
They should take the special requirements of
girls and boys with disabilities into account with regard to the design, durability and
age-appropriateness of assistive devices and equipment. If these types of materials
are unavailable the CFS should endeavor to look at materials available in the camp to
develop assistive devices as needed.24
8
STANDARDS OF CARE
7.
GENERAL STANDARDS OF CARE
7.1.
The children at the CFS should be treated with dignity and respect at all times, and all
efforts should be made to prevent any form of discrimination.25
Children that come to CFSs often come from and live in very difficult circumstances. They may
hold no self-worth and may be used to being ignored or treated badly. Treating children with
respect and care regardless of their circumstances will go a long way towards improving their
self-esteem and making them feel better about themselves, which will in turn prepare them to better face
their future life experiences.
7.2.
Each CFS should take care that in all proceedings and dealings with the child, families
and communities that they ensure the best interests of the child at all times. This is
always of paramount consideration.
7.3.
The CFS should encourage and provide opportunities for children to express their
views and make informed choices regarding the content of their daily lives, including
their participation in CFS activities, and important decisions that affect them in an
age-appropriate manner.26
Giving attention and support to children’s views helps build their self-worth and their selfconfidence.
These views can be elicited verbally through forums or discussions, or formally
through feedback forms.
In either case, children should be encouraged to share and debate
their views and make informed choices about the decisions that affect their daily lives. This will assist
them in becoming more independent and self-sufficient.
7.4.
There should be a record of the children (one enrolment list and one attendance list)
at the CFS, i.e. where they came from, date first used services and CFS and the
frequency of use, why they came to the CFS, records of primary caregiversparent/sand
special
needs.27
Every
child’s
enrolment
record
should
be
comprehensively updated at least once every month, and when any changes to their
information occur; records should be kept as long as the child is using the services at
the CFS.28 Each CFS/organization should identify a specific individual responsible to
monitor the record keeping process.
Well maintained records are effective in helping both the staff and children record their
development over the time period they spend at the CFS. It helps chart the child’s activities
9
while at the CFS and the CFSs efforts to meet the child’s needs.
7.5.
Children’s records should be kept securely in a place accessible to authorized staff.
29
Trust and the development thereof are crucial in establishing a good relationship between the children,
parents and the staff members at the CFS. The knowledge that their records are kept secret will
help that development.
7.6.
The CFS staff should respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents and
other relatives or persons legally responsible for the children, while at the same time
working with these as well as the wider community to raise awareness on child rights
and child protection issues in a way that is culturally sensitive and appropriate.
7.7.
30
CFSs should aim at working closely with existing community based structures, in
particular Child Protection Networks and Women’s associations, in order to facilitate
referral processes and enhance community mobilization.
7.8.
Organizations implementing CFS programs should have a policy clearly spelling out
the procedures in place to protect the children from all forms of physical or mental
violence, abuse or injury, neglect
or negligent treatment, maltreatment, or
exploitation, including sexual abuse.
These preventative measures should include
31
procedures for the identification, reporting, referral and follow-up of instances of the
above-stated forms of maltreatment.32
7.9.
A child-friendly, accessible and confidential grievance procedure for the violation of
any of the above should be developed and clearly
communicated/disseminated to
caregivers, staff/volunteers and children participating in CFS.33
7.10. Each organization/CFS space should identify trained staff with specific capacity and
responsibility to identify and follow-up/refer to appropriate organizations/centers
(e.g. Family and Child Protection Units, Clinics, State Council of Child Welfare/social
workers etc) cases of especially vulnerable children, including those who have
suffered from of physical or mental violence, abuse or injury, neglect or negligent
treatment, maltreatment, or exploitation, including sexual abuse. It should be made
clear that general and untrained staff should not address these specific cases/issues,
but must immediately refer such cases to specialized staff responsible to address
them.
10
7.11. Animators in CFS should be trained and should provide individual attention, including
one-on-one interaction, as needed, to all children who attend the CFS. This includes
things such as assessing the reasons why a child may be crying, helping children
clean their faces if dirty, etc.
The implementation of the child protection policy is imperative to create a safe haven for
children that have or already are suffering from abuse and neglect before their arrival at the
CFS.
Staff and children should both be trained with regard to the procedures in place to
protect children at the CFS from such abuse, either by outsiders or by someone at the CFS. The children
need to be made aware of their rights and should be encouraged to report any violation without fear of
reprisal. Only by strictly enforcing this policy can the CFS hope to create a safe environment for children
in need of special protection.
7.12. The CFS should recognize and foster respect for the different cultural and tribal
backgrounds that children come from and the right of children to enjoy their own
culture, to use their own language and to practice their own religion.34
Recreational activities provide children with opportunities for physical, social and emotional
development in addition to being a learning experience. These activities help the children in
forming social bonds and teach them the importance of making choices, problem solving and
sharing.
These activities also further the physical development of the children and help counteract
boredom and aggression.
8.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
8.1.
The CFS staff should undertake efforts to promote the inclusion and participation of
children with disabilities and assist those children and their parents to access
education, health care services, rehabilitation services and recreational opportunities
in a manner conducive to the children’s fullest possible social integration and
development.
8.2.
The CFS should ensure that children with intellectual or physical special needshave a
full experience at the CFS, in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self-reliance,
and facilitate their active participation in the community.35
9.
DISCIPLINE AT CFS
9.1.
A policy on alternative forms of discipline, including a ban on the use of corporal or
physical punishment, should be developed and implemented.
11
9.2.
A consultative and participatory process should be undertaken with the children
participating in CFS in order to arrive at rules, as well as sanction for violations of
rules, in each CFS. This should include identifying rules to be followed not only by
children, but by CFS staff/volunteers as well. These rules and identifying sanctions
should be prominently displayed in the CFS.
10.
PROGRAMMING IN CFS
10.1. Different times or spaces should be allocated for children in different age-groups in
order to protect younger children and promote appropriate peer interaction. Separate
age-appropriate activities should be organized and implemented for the different agegroups, as applicable (e.g. 0-4; 5-9; 10-13; 14-18).
10.2. Timing of CFS activities for school-age children should not conflict with school
attendance.
10.3. Children themselves should, as much as possible and age-appropriately, be involved
and participate in the selection, development, planning and implementation of
activities and events at the CFS.
10.4. The CFS should ensure parental and community consultation and participation in the
development of activities conducted at the CFS.
The CFS should also serve as a
mechanism for awareness raising and sensitization with the community on child
protection issues. On a monthly basis, CFS should hold at least one activity, whether
consultation, awareness raising, discussion group, or other activities to promote
community and parent involvement in child protection and CFS.
10.5. Efforts should be undertaken to ensure the availability of culturally and ageappropriate activities for both girls and boys in order to ensure equal gender
participation in CFS.
10.6. Each CFS should have a minimum number of regular activities, which can include
psychosocial support/wellbeing, recreation, games, crafts and art, non-formal
education, life-skills, etc, with a regularly scheduled and properly communicated plan
of implementation (possibly displayed within the CFS).
10.7. Children should have freedom of choice in the activities at the CFS in which they
participate, and should under no condition be forced to participate in an activity in
which they do not want.
12
HUMAN RESOURCES STANDARDS
11.
HUMAN RESOURCESSTANDARDS
11.1 STAFF: There should be detailed recruitment polices and practices for all staff, fulltime and part-time. The CFS should keep up-to-date records on every staff members,
including the daily attendance of each primary staff member, including arrival and
departure times and hours spent providing child care. Records should be kept as long
as the staff to whom the records relate is at the CFS and all records should be kept in
an organized and confidential manner.
36
Staff members should be screened prior to
their employment. All staff members should be subject to a background check. 37 The
tasks for each staff member should be detailed and each staff member should have a
clear work plan.
11.2 Staff members should have had training, or be given training at the CFS, specific to
their job/function. The staff members should initially be on probation, to give an
opportunity to assess their motivation/commitment and their performance formally
reviewed, including consulting with children under their care, before being formally
hired.
11.3 VOLUNTEERS: Communities and organizations will agree a set of procedures for
recruitment
(including
background
checks)
and
management
of
volunteers.
Volunteers should have a detailed work plan and detailed tasks.
The quality of staff members is crucial to the quality of the CFS. Thus it is essential to have set
policies in place to hire staff that genuinely care for children and their well-being and who do not
simply see the job as a ‘paycheck’. The variety of tasks for each position should be set forth
clearly as well as the skills necessary for those tasks, and only qualified personnel should be hired.
Children in need of special protection are vulnerable and as such, particular attention must be given to the
staff being hired in order to ensure that the best interests of the children will be served. Specific policies
will help ensure the protection of the children from persons who ‘prey’ on children. A criminal background
check as well as references from persons who know the potential staff member will also help ensure the
protection of the children at the CFS.
Once a staff member is hired, s/he should be placed on a
probationary period to ensure that his/her addition to the staff is in the best interest of the children.
13
11.4 There should be a minimum human resources to child ratio of 1:40 for children under
12 and 1:60 for children over 12. Only animators are included in this ratio, but not
guards, cooks, cleaners and admin. staff. Volunteers and part-time staff should not
be included in the staff to child ratio unless they are performing similar duties as
primary staff members. Children should be supervised at all times as is adequate to
ensure their development, safety, and well-being.
38
Having an effective staff to child ratio is imperative in ensuring that the aims and objectives of
the CFS as well as the needs of children in need of special protection are met. Children need
some level of individual attention, which is important in providing good quality of care for
children in need of special protection. Staff to child ratios vary depending on the numbers, age, gender
and needs of the children, as well as with the competencies of the caregivers.
Further, specifically in
these types of settings, care should be taken to ensure the emotional stability of the children. Children
with HIV/AIDS or children with disabilities also have specific needs that need a higher staff-child ratio to
adequately meet those needs.
Thus, selecting staff who are competent to deal with the different
categories of children and their needs is vital as is making sure enough of those competent staff are
available to the children at all times during the day.
11.5 The staff members and volunteers should be offered training courses that reflect the
needs of the children at the CFS, including training on child rights, child protection,
the impact of armed conflict on children, psychosocial support, referral, and how to
undertake community awareness raising on child protection issues.39
11.6 There should be a clear grievance procedure for staff members and volunteers,.
There should also be a clear procedure for children to report any problems they may
have with CFS staff – this should be developed with the participation of children
themselves, in order to ensure that the mechanism is one that children will be
comfortable with and understand which should be communicated in the CFS to staff /
volunteers / children / families.
Different categories of children require the staff members and volunteers to have a variety of
skills to effectively meet their needs.
Thus, training courses must reflect the reality and the
changing needs of the children at the CFS. Children at the CFS offer specific challenges that
require special training, e.g. children associated with armed conflict and children affected by sexual
violence.
Ongoing training allows the caregivers to be more effective in their interactions with these
children and helps them meet their needs in a more comprehensive manner.
14
11.7 Staff members should be periodically reviewed; 40 the opinion of the children under
their care should be taken into consideration during that review.
Periodic reviews as well as frequent supervision helps ensure good management, appropriate
delegation of tasks and workload management, as well as an evaluation of the staff members’
performance.
This allows for development of the goals of the CFS and also helps the CFS in
meeting the needs of the children by ensuring that the staff members are acting in an appropriate and
effective manner. Further, there should be periodic staff meetings which allow for the discussion of key
issues and problems at the CFS and the finding of solutions for those issues and problems to better serve
the children. Further, this allows for accountability with regard to adherence to the staff to child ratios, as
well as to staff qualification requirements.
11.8 There should be at least qualified experienced staff person at each CFS on a
permanent basis, with effort to avoid turnover, in order to ensure consistency of care.
Children need stability, consistency and predictability to attain a sense of security in their
environment. Caregivers and children tend to have a special relationship; the development of
such positive and nurturing relationships during the time a child spends at the CFS should be
encouraged.
Children in need of special protection often require a strong emotional attachment which
contributes to their sense of security and well-being. A relationship with a key caregiver who is present
and can offer kindness and support when needed, will help the child through difficult times and will
increase its resilience. Short-term caregivers do not have the time to create such positive relationships.
As such, all efforts should be made to keep key caregivers at the CFS for as long as possible.
11.9 At all times when children are participating in CFS activities, there should be at least
one staff present trained in first aid.41
Staff trained in first aid ensures that there are qualified personnel available in the event of an
emergency. Further, staff with first aid training can then evaluate the situation and make an
informed decision regarding the need for further medical attention.
12.
MANAGEMENT STAFF
12.1. There should be regular visits of management staff in charge of the day-to-day
administration of the CFS as well as the supervision of the other staff members
including volunteers.42
12.2. Each organization should identify a center supervisor for each CFS. This supervisor’s
role should include supervising and evaluating the performance of staff; assessing
and ensuring the quality of care provided through the CFS;
assisting in the
15
development and implementation of children’s programmes and activities; identifying
and implementing staff training and capacity building needs; and administrative
tasks. This supervisor should also be involved in the hiring and regular performance
reviews of all other staff members.43
13.
ANIMATORS/ CFS CAREGIVERS
13.1. There should be animators/caregivers whose only job is to deal directly with the
children.
13.2. There should be an attempt made to have a gender balance of animators/caregivers,
i.e. an equal number of men and women.
13.3. Animators/Caregivers should meet a minimum set of criteria based on what is
appropriate for each area including: education; experience working with children; and
a demonstrated commitment to children’s needs as well as protection.
13.4. Staff members should be at least 18 years of age or older.44
The quality of animators/caregivers should be extremely high as they play a critical role in a
child’s development because of the direct contact they have with the children on a day to day
basis.
In addition to taking care of the children’s basic needs, caregivers help stimulate the children’s
physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. They help children to explore their interests, develop
their talents and independence, build self-esteem, and learn how to get along with others.
14.
OTHER STAFF
14.1. There
should
be
staff
members
in
charge
of
the
internal
and
external
maintenance/cleaning of the facilities.
14.2. There should be at least one full-time security guard on site at all times to ensure the
safety of the children and the staff at the CFS.
The maintenance and security of the facilities at the CFS helps ensure the emotional well-being
and stability of the children at the CFS.
16
REFERENCES Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 1.1, Department of Health, United
Kingdom, 2002.
1
See also Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 1.1, which states that all child care
programmes should have a clear written statement of their particular aims and objectives which represents the basis
upon which the programme is established, why it exists, and what it is attempting to achieve.
See also Standards for Staffed Children's Residential Services provided under the Child, Family and Community Service
Act 1998, Std A.1, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Province of British Columbia.
CRC, Part 1, Art. 19. See also Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children, (UK), 2004, Art. 1.2. See also
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 17.1, Department of Health, United
Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
2
McMenamin, Bernadette et al., Choose with Care: A Handbook to Build Safer Organizations for Children, CHILDWISE
(2004).
3
McMenamin, Bernadette et al., Choose with Care: A Handbook to Build Safer Organizations for Children, CHILDWISE
(2004). Codes of Conduct should address some or all of the following issues: physical contact/touching; sign in/sign
out procedures; respect for privacy; confidentiality; language; favoritism; out of hours contact; discipline; cultural
sensitivity; adult/child ratios; sleeping arrangements; toilet and bathing arrangements; and disciplinary and reporting
procedures.
4
5
CRC, Part 1, Art. 27.1.
6
CRC, Part 1, Art. 27.3.
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 23.1, Department of Health,
United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
7
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 24.4, Department of Health,
United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
8
Licensing Standards and Best Practices in Child Care, Part 2, Section 6(a), Alberta Children’s Services, June 2002
(hereinafter “Alberta Best Practices”), Part 2, Section 6(b).
9
10
Alberta Best Practices, Part 2, Section 6(a).
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Stds. 25.2 and 25.7, Department of
Health, United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
11
12
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 2.4.
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 25.6, Department of Health,
United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
13
14
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 4.2.
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 2.3, which states that carers should ensure that the
needs of the children to develop through play and leisure activities are recognized and opportunities to do so are
created. See also CRC, Part 1, Art. 31.
15
16
Alberta Best Practices, Part 2, Sections 7 and 8.
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 24.3, Department of Health,
United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
17
17
18
Alberta Best Practices, Part 2, Section 8.
Standards for Staffed Children's Residential Services provided under the Child, Family and Community Service Act
1998, Std. F.1, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Province of British Columbia.
19
20
CRC, Part 1, Art. 24.1.
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 12.5, Department of Health,
United Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
21
22
A Guide for Patients, Family Members and Community Caregivers, World Health Organization, November 2004.
United Nations Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Rule 3:
Rehabilitation, A/RES/48/96 (Dec. 20, 1993).
23
United Nations Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Rule 3:
Rehabilitation, A/RES/48/96 (Dec. 20, 1993).
24
25
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 2.6. See also CRC, Part 1, Art. 2.
Standards for Staffed Children's Residential Services provided under the Child, Family and Community Service Act
1998, Std. B.2, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Province of British Columbia. See also Children’s Homes
National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 8.1, Department of Health, United Kingdom (Her
Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002). See also Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 2.5. See
also CRC, Part 1, Art. 12.1.
26
UNICEF, Technical Notes: Special Considerations for Programming in Unstable Situations, Chapter 4: Children
Separated from Families which sets forth the necessary information required for documentation of an unaccompanied
child: Basic personal data (family name, given names, nicknames, or other names; sex; date, place and year of birth;
languages spoken, religion, education; Accompanying siblings (brother/sisters/other child relatives); Circumstances and
date of admission; Family relationships (name, age/date of birth, relationship to child, occupation of family members,
and last known location/address of father, mother, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives, other
persons normally living in the family household); Health status and past medical history; the importance of current
relationships; extent to which the child's (age-specific) developmental needs are being met; and other information of
importance for the daily care of the child; and the child's intentions, wishes, plans. See also Quality Child Care
Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 5.1, which states that, comprehensive records relating to the
administration of the programme should be maintained.
27
UNICEF, Technical Notes: Special Considerations for Programming in Unstable Situations, Chapter 4: Children
Separated from Families, which states that information on temporarily placed children, should be recorded on an
ongoing basis, by caregivers, foster parents or staff in group homes, temporary emergency care centres or day care
facilities. This should include clear, explicit descriptions of the emotional state and behaviour of the child. They should
not use psychological terms such as 'depressed' or 'mentally retarded' to label a child.
28
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 5.2, which states that children’s confidential details
and records should be respected and maintained and there should be a clear policy on confidentiality that all carers
should be aware of and should adhere to.
29
30
CRC, Part 1, Art. 5 and Art. 14.2.
CRC, Part 1, Art. 19.1. See also Alberta Best Practices, Part 3, Section 11(2) which states that no person should use
corporal punishment against a child under any circumstances. “Corporal Punishment” is defined as any type of physical
punishment. It includes shaking, pushing, slapping or spanking. Any form of contact that is intended to ridicule,
humiliate, degrade, insult or undermine the dignity and self-worth of a child is also a form of “corporal punishment”.
See also Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children, (UK), 2004, Art. 2.9, which states that methods of controlling
and redirecting children when their behaviour is challenging and abusive are balanced with care, respect for the law,
children’s rights, and maintaining the child’s dignity.
31
CRC, Part 1, Art. 19.2. See also Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children, (UK), 2004, Art. 1.3, stating that
carers not only need to be aware of the procedures, but also need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to
detect abuse and to intervene in a helpful way with those in their care who have been abused.
32
18
CRC, Part 1, Art. 12. The child who is capable of forming his or her own views should have the right to express those
views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age
and maturity of the child. Art. 12.1. For this purpose, the child shall be provided the opportunity to be heard in any
judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate
body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law. Art. 12.2.
33
34
CRC, Part 1, Art. 30.
35
CRC, Part 1, Art. 23.1.
36
Alberta Best Practices, Part 2, Section 23.
Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards: Children’s Homes Regulations, Std. 27, Department of Health, United
Kingdom (Her Majesty’s Stationery Office: 2002).
37
38
Alberta Best Practices, Part 3, Section 30(1).
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children, (UK), 2004, Art. 3.4, which states that professional development
and training should be available for staff and carers, i.e. the complexity of working with and looking after vulnerable
children should be reflected in the commitment a programme has to the training of their staff and carers.
39
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children, (UK), 2004, Art. 3.2, which states that staff and carers should have
regular supervision and support.
40
41
Alberta Best Practices, Part 2, Section 36.
Quality Child Care Indicators, Save the Children (UK), 2004, Art. 5.3, which states that managers and owners of
childcare programmes should be held accountable in that they are responsible for the services which their programmes
provide.
42
43
Alberta Best Practices, Part 3, Section 27.
44
Alberta Best Practices, Part 3, Section 33.
19