A sense of belonging: Case studies in positive care options for children

The First Resort series focuses on the needs and rights of children who, for a wide variety of reasons, are lacking adequate parental care. In many cases, they will already have become separated and may be living outside their families, in institutions, with relatives or on the street. These children are of particular concern to governments and to the international community because they are deprived of the protection normally provided by parents. In other cases, the family may be vulnerable to breakdown because of the consequences of HIV and AIDS, armed conflict, forced migration, widespread poverty, child abuse or neglect, or other forms of family disruption. Such circumstances may place children at hightened risk of needing care outside of the family unless successful interventions can be made to support the family and prevent the need for alternative care.