Research and positions

A Child's Road to Resilience

Did you know that the quality of our relationships in early childhood can affect the development of the brain; the way we respond to trauma; and how we raise our own children later in life? “A Child’s Road to Resilience” examines the key concepts in and scientific evidence for the importance of nurturing relationships in child and youth development. Available in English, French and Spanish.

The Care Effect: Why no child should grow up alone

We all intuitively know that no child should grow up alone. But why exactly? This report explores how all of society benefits - in this generation and future ones - from quality care for children and young people.

Children Without Parental Care in Africa

The study, conducted from 2020 to 2022, covered over 43 countries in all five regions of Africa with primary and secondary data collection methods, and involved various government entities, organizations, leading academicians, child rights advocacy groups, children and young people. 

The study is available in English and French.

How family strengthening can help prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their families

This document makes the case for the importance of investing in family strengthening in countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It has a particular focus on support for families so that any unnecessary separation of children from their families and placement in alternative care can be prevented.

The National Child Protection System and Alternative Child Care

This series of five reports was commissioned by SOS Children’s Villages International, Regional Office for CEE/CIS/Middle East. The reports based on a multi-country desk review include Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Consultation with children in care/ receiving family strengthening services

These reports are the outcomes of consultations conducted with children in residential care and children in family strengthening programmes respectively. The aim of the study is to gather and share the perspectives of children on their realities. The detailed report of findings of children in residential care is here and the report of children in family strengthening programmes is here. A summary report of the consultation is available here.

Evidence Review Residential Care

This report provides evidence on the functions, quality and outcomes of residential care. The report was researched and compiled by CELCIS (Porter, R. B., Mitchell, F., & Giraldi, M.) and commissioned by SOS Children’s Villages International. The executive summary of the report is available here. The full literature review is available here.

Covid-19: Protecting Children without or at risk of Losing Parental Care

This position statement presents the key asks that are necessary to ensure that the rights and needs of children without or at risk of losing parental care are prioritised by national, regional and international governments as they adopt measures to mitigate the short and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. English French Spanish

Decent work and social protection for young people leaving care

This global report for the first time collates evidence from 12 countries across four regions of the world, detailing the ways in which young people with alternative care backgrounds cope with the challenges of becoming self-reliant and are supported by the state and other actors on their path towards decent work and social inclusion. (2018)

Position Paper on Migrant and Refugee Children

Children affected by migration face specific challenges to their rights. Policies and programme responses to the movement of refugees and migrants must grant children the appropriate care and services, regardless of their migration status or that of their parents. This position paper provides concrete cases and recommendations for decision-makers. (2016) A4 - US-Letter

Let Children be Children

This report, published in collaboration with Eurochild, aims to help child protection services across Europe to respond to the needs of refugee and migrant children, including those travelling without their family. It explores how professionals dealing with migrant and refugee children seek to empower them as they try to rebuild their lives in a new country. This includes supporting them as they go through asylum and family reunification procedures, and adjusting to new schools and societies. (2017)

The Right to Protection: Ending Violence against Children

The publication examines the various forms of violence children without parental care or at risk of losing it are exposed to. It describes our commitment to preventing all forms of violence against children and adolescents, and presents a set of calls to action to actively help reduce violence through prevention and response measures. English Spanish

"Let me be me!": Better care for LGBTI* children

This working paper for NGOs focuses on improving practice regarding lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) children in care. It considers the theoretical framework and legal contexts, presents promising practices and aims to help identify ways to ensure a better care for LGBTI children.

Strategy 2030: No child should grow up alone

SOS Children’s Villages has put the most disadvantaged children at the heart of its Strategy 2030, with the central message: No child should grow up alone. The strategy directly relates to the global Sustainable Development Goals in key areas such as poverty, inequality, education, health, social and child protection, and decent work.

Towards the Right Care for Children: Orientations for reforming alternative care systems in Africa, Asia, Latin America

This study summarises existing knowledge on deinstitutionalisation in six countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and provides guidelines for future EU strategies on deinstitutionalisation in developing countries. (2017) Cases and research Main report

Learning and Education for Development

Education is a fundamental and enabling human right, and it must be realised for all children to disrupt intergenerational cycles of exclusion, poverty, violence, inequality and family breakdown. This position paper highlights education areas from early childhood to professional integration, and education for parents, to make the most impact. (2016)

Child at Risk: The Most Vulnerable Children - Who They Are and Why They Are at Risk

This publication gives an overview of the factors that place children in situations of extreme vulnerability and put them at risk of having to live without appropriate parental care. It also reviews the data available about vulnerable children. (2016)

Leaving Care and Employment in Five European Countries: An Undocumented Problem?

This research report explores the challenging employment situation for young people leaving care in five European countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary and Norway). It examines the supports they receive to enhance their employability, and policy measures that could enhance young people's employability and social inclusion. (2016)

Child at Risk: The World's Most Vulnerable Children - Who They Are, Where They Live, and What Puts Them at Risk

This overview of the life situations and locations of the world’s most vulnerable children is based on results from the SOS Children’s Villages Programme Monitoring Database, plus a global scan of relevant literature. (2015) English German

In the Blind Spot

This report by SOS Norway puts the spotlight on children who often remain unrecognised in international development policies - children who cannot be raised by their parents or are at risk of losing parental care. It analyses international strategies and documentation focused on this specific group of children, addresses stakeholders and presents recommendation for the future. (2016)

Guide to Problematic Sexual Behaviours and Abusive Sexual Practices

This publication on preventing child-to-child sexual abuse, and properly handling cases that occur, was produced by SOS Children's Villages Region Latin America and the Caribbean (LAAM) in collaboration with ONG Paicabí. (2014) English Spanish

Preparation for Independent Living

[I Matter campaign] Securing decent employment and other challenges young care leavers face in trying to establish independent lives are the topics of this briefing paper. Perspectives from young people, care professionals and policymakers are presented. (2010)

Drumming Together for Change

[Care for ME! campaign] This report highlights serious inadequacies in the services aimed at preventing the separation of children from their families, providing appropriate alternative care, and protecting children from harm. Its conclusions are based on evidence gathered through national assessments of eight Sub-Saharan African countries. (2014) English French Executive Summary

Family Focus: Challenging Times

This in-depth report identifies the five main areas of concern for families globally. It outlines realistic options for legislators and decision-makers who want to do something now to improve the lives of families. (2012) English Spanish German

When Care Ends

[I Matter campaign] This report offers rare insight into the stark realities for young people leaving care, including the shortcomings in support processes. At the heart of this two-year peer research project are testimonies from over 300 young people leaving care in Albania, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland. (2012) English Spanish

Strong Families, Strong Children

Strengthening families is essential to prevent the separation of children from their families. This is at the core of the action of SOS Children’s Villages, which supports vulnerable children and their families worldwide. This publication shows how important it is to take a child-centered approach in working with children and families at risk of separation. English Spanish French German

From a Whisper to a Shout: A Call to End Violence against Children in Alternative Care

This report makes critical observations about the high levels of vulnerability and risk of violence faced by children in alternative care. It concludes that violence is not inevitable and, with an emphasis on providing quality care, it is possible to mitigate the risks of harm for all children. (2014) Executive Summary - English Spanish French Portuguese

Strong Communities for Strong Families

This report shows how to help community members build social networks and capacities to improve conditions and safeguards for disadvantaged children and families. 16 communities in sub-Saharan Africa were researched for this report. (2014) English French

Because We Are Brothers and Sisters

This report describes new understandings about the effects of sibling relationships on children in alternative care. Findings are based on documentation and outcomes from SOS programmes and families in five European countries. (2012) English French German Italian

Tracking Footprints: Global Report

More than 2,400 adults, from 41 countries, who lived in SOS families and SOS villages as children participated in this global report which documents their experiences, life outcomes and perspectives on the care they received. (2010)

Facts & Figures That Matter

[I Matter campaign] This interim evaluation report from the campaign assesses lessons learned, achievements and failures, and measures needed to improve conditions and outcomes for young people leaving care. (2010)

Ageing Out of Care

[I Matter campaign] SOS Children’s Villages has put together an unprecedented review of the circumstances under which young people leave alternative care in Europe and Central Asia. (2010)