Adapting a Systems Approach to Child Protection: Key Concepts and Considerations

“Adapting a Systems Approach to Child Protection: Key Concept and Considerations”, is a Save the Children, UNICEF and UNHCR co-branded publication, which has been prepared to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and to stimulate discussions relevant to child protection issues. International organisations are increasingly turning to “a systems approach” to establish or strengthen comprehensive child protection efforts. Earlier child protection efforts have traditionally focused on single issues such as child trafficking, street children, child labour, etc., which often resulted in a fragmented child protection response. Rather than treat each child safety concern in isolation, the systems approach promotes a holistic view of children and child protection that necessarily engages the full range of actors involved in protecting children’s rights. UNICEF commissioned Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and the American Humane Society to review academic and professional literature on child protection systems. The result is a conceptual framework that is detailed in this paper.