Towards evidence-based reform of policy and practice in Child protection in Kenya

Through the support of the Italian Cooperation and CEFA, Italy has offered assistance to the Department of Children Services in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development of Kenya for the radical reform of an old system of protection for vulnerable children with the implementation of new international norms and standards. This study reports on good practices, methodologies and strategies piloted and applied bythe Children Community Safety Nets Project in the Kenya government institutional and field services from 2005 to 2011.Activities were carried out in three institutions for children at risk – the Children Remand Home, Dagoretti Rehabilitation Institute and the Thika Children Rescue Centre – and in three Nairobi slums: Kasarani, Embakasi and Njiru. The programme carried out in the three schools led to the reintegration of hundreds of children into the family and accomplished a reform of the national system for the protection of vulnerable children.