Every child and young person should live in a supportive, protective and caring environment that promotes his or her full potential.
The United Nations’ Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
What is Family-based care
In 2011, our partner in Kathmandu, Asha Nepal, aware of the damaging effects of institutional living took the step of replacing an outdated model of residential care with family-based care homes.
Family-based care provides a home for survivors who cannot immediately return to their families. This care closely mirrors a family environment, with 5-6 children and a house mother in each home. This child-centred care is a holistic, individualised approach, based upon the needs of that girl. This support provides women and girls with the funding and resources they need to build meaningful futures.
We are proud to support partners that are adaptive, innovative and child-centred.
Reintegration with family
Family-based care recognises the significant role of families in caring for children aand supports the reintegration of the girls back into their families. They do this by equipping parents with positive parenting skills and educating them on the harmful effects of abuse. After reintegration, children and their families receive ongoing support from a social worker. Where family reintegration is not possible, Asha transition young adults to community living where they are supported to build their independence.
Family-based care includes:
Rent and living costs for a home close to the community centre and children's schools
All educational expenses, including school fees and homework tutoring
Psychosocial support and counselling
Basic healthcare
Important birthday and cultural celebrations
An allowance and insurance for the house mother
Why is family-based care important?
Family-based care is the best alternative
Family-based care can be more effectively used as an alternative to institutional care when the child cannot live at home. This is in line with the United Nations Guidelines on the Alternative Care of Children, with care arrangements in family-like settings considered best practice.
Enabling women with crucial skills and education
Between the years 2008 and 2018 in Nepal, women occupied mostly non-wage jobs that featured mostly agricultural work. As such, the work of these programs in educating and upskilling women assists in enabling them to engage with better paid work that will allow them to live independent and fulfilled lives. A need for reintegration services
While the Government of Nepal has increased its anti-trafficking efforts in recent years, including developing national standards for survivor care, reintegration services remain inadequate. Recognising the fundamental role of family care, when a child enters Asha Nepal’s care they work with their biological family to eventually reintegrate them.