Lessons Learned in Residential Care Institution Transition and Closure

In 2017 the Royal Government of Cambodia raised concerns about the rapid increase in the number of institutionalized children in Cambodia and as a result set an ambitious target of safely reintegrating 30 percent of children in residential care institutions (RCIs) into families. By 2019, there has been a 43 percent reduction in the number of RCIs in Cambodia and a 59 percent reduction in the number of children in these facilities.

In addition to this progress, COVID-19 caused global ramifications for anyone working in residential care settings. While there are many devastating consequences of the pandemic, some of the benefits have been the opportunity to reflect on the use of RCIs, the consequences of emergency closure, the importance of follow up in reintegration, and the reliance of international volunteers and visitors for the fundraising model of many RCIs. Successful transition of RCIs consists of a number of interrelated key elements that need to be considered at the same time including: the reasons why children are entering residential care, the laws and policies in place, the motivations and funding models of the RCI management and donors, the availability of services within the community including family-based alternative care services, the individual needs of the children in the RCI, and the ability to support reintegration efforts.

The objective of this study is to document lessons learned from FCF | REACT members, as well as the literature from others working on transition globally, to create evidence-based recommendations to inform future transitions and closure at scale. This review will be shared broadly with MoSVY, DoSVY, UNICEF, and FCF | REACT members and other interested stakeholders as the Royal Government of Cambodia finalises their Guidelines on Reintegration, Transforming and Closure of RCIs.