Numerous children and young people could be spared from the painful experience of separation from their parents and caregivers if families were provided with adequate support at the time of life changing events, difficulty, and crises. Families often become vulnerable due to a complex interplay of risk factors, which result from both direct and indirect impacts of their social, cultural, economic, and physical environments. They face mounting pressures from climate change, conflicts, poverty, and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues. These challenges can be intensified for families with limited social connections and inadequate access to support services, which can lead to children's exposure to neglect, abuse, violence, alternative care placements, or homelessness.
Strengthening families entails identifying and delivering effective support to children, parents, and extended family members within the framework of child protection and the prevention of separation. Interventions can vary from universal primary prevention strategies to targeted tertiary support for families at high risk of separation, including assistance for reintegration. These initiatives aim to prevent harm, reduce social isolation, and ultimately prevent children from being separated from their families.
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During two half-days, new insights and learnings on causes of child-family separation and effective systems and interventions that support parents, caregivers, and extended families in providing adequate care for their children and prevent separation were shared.
The event gathered 568 attendees from 72 countries, including state and non-state actors, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. This high turnout reflected a broad interest and commitment to understanding the factors that lead to family separation and finding effective ways to prevent it.