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Children on the move
As of January 2016, an estimated 30 million children are on the move, both within and between countries, with or without their parents. They are part of large-scale population movements currently taking place in many parts of the world.
Children on the move are those children moving for a variety of reasons, voluntary or involuntary within or between countries, with or without their parents or other primary caregivers, and whose movement might place them at risk (or at an increased risk) of inadequate care, economic or sexual exploitation, abuse, neglect or violence.
Children on the move is an umbrella term that brings together a series of categories of children to highlight their common protection needs, including, children who have been trafficked, children who migrate (e.g. to pursue better life opportunities, to look for work or education or to escape exploitative or abusive situations at home, or because of other protection needs), children displaced by conflict and natural disasters and children who live and work in the streets.
Movement can help children and their families improve their living standards and life opportunities. However, children do not always benefit from such potentials. Child protection policies and interventions should refocus to place the protection of the child at the centre as well as the need to support the positive aspects of mobility.
Save the Children’s goal is that all children, including those on the move and in emergencies, have appropriate care either from their own families or community-based alternatives.
Photo: Pedro Armestre/Save the Children
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Advocating for and with Children: Six case studies from Save the Children
Six case studies have been selected to highlight and demonstrate the enhancement of children's right to protection through Save the Children's advocacy around the world. These case studies fall within the scope of the Save the Children's priority areas op
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Children on the move in East Jakarta, Indonesia
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Best Interest Assessment Form for Temporary Care Arrangements & Durable Solution
The Best Interests Assessment Form (BIAF) is an integral part of the Best Interests Determination for Children on the Move Toolkit Training Manual (BID) which guides practitioners, social workers and other relevant authorities to ensure the best interests
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Comparative Study on Practices in the Field of Return of Minors
This study on “best practices in the field of the return of minors” was carried out by ECRE, in strategic partnership with Save the Children, on behalf of the European Commission. The study looked at legislation and practice regarding the return of childr
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Last resort or first resort? Immigration detention of children in the UK
BID and The Children's Society have published a new report on the detention of children for immigration purposes, titled ‘Last resort or first resort? Immigration detention of children in the UK. The report follows a year of intensive campaigning in partn
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Mental health of displaced and refugee children resettled in low-income and middle-income countries: risk and protective factors
A two-part study published in the Lancet, which stresses the need for high-income countries and international agencies to contribute towards the funding of mental health interventions for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. According to the repo
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PowerPoint presentations for the Training Manual on Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific: Supporting the Care of Children within Families [Session 7a]
PowerPoint presentation that is part of the session materials for "the Training Manual on Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific" published by Save the Children Child Protection Initiative (CPI). It presents an overview of the social s
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Leaving home: Voices of children on the move
Children have become an important part of large-scale population movements both within and between countries and are likely to be increasingly affected in the next decades as a result of globalisation, socio-economic shifts and climate change. Yet, in deb
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PowerPoint presentations for the Training Manual on Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific: Save the Children Resources [Session 9]
PowerPoint presentation that is part of the session materials for "the Training Manual on Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific" published by Save the Children Child Protection Initiative (CPI). The training workshop is targeted at po
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Migrants in an irregular situation: access to healthcare in 10 European Union Member States
This report looks at the law and practice concerning access to healthcare for migrants in an irregular situation in 10 EU Member States, namely Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden. It focuses on migrants who
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PowerPoint presentations for the Training Manual on Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific: The Misuse and Overuse of Residential Care [Session 5b]
PowerPoint presentation that is part of the session materials for "The Training Manual Children without Appropriate Care for Asia and the Pacific" published by Save the Children Child Protection Initiative (CPI). The presentation focuses on the misuse of
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Journeys- the life stories of twelve migrant children in the Mekong sub-region
A publication of children’s voices from the Greater Mekong Sub region reflecting their experiences with migration and vulnerability. Along their journey from their homes, these children experienced excitement, friendships, separation, discrimination, abus