Deinstitutionalisation

What is Deinstitutionalisation?

Deinstitutionalisation (DI) is the process of closing an institution or institutions through the development of a range of family-based alternative services matching the needs of the children resident in the institution(s).

DI is a method of transforming childcare systems based solely on institutions into modern childcare systems based on a range of care alternatives, specialised and responding to children's individual needs.

Why is it necessary?

Institutions have proven negative effects on children. Children raised in institutions don't receive appropriate adult care and attention and don't benefit from an environment which enables them to develop to their potential.

Compared to children who grow up in families, institutionalised children have significantly fewer opportunities to learn through play and through following adult behaviour and guidance. Children in institutions don't receive the stimulation, affection or attention a child receives from a parent. This affects a child's cognitive development, as well as their social and behavioural development.

These children are 'trapped' in institutions, lacking a sense of identity or belonging and isolated from their communities. Many develop survival skills in response to their hostile environments which can develop into destructive behaviour later in life.

They also have few opportunities to learn any basic life skills in the institution such as how to cook, how to use money, how to use public transport. Without these basic skills, they enter adult life at a significant disadvantage which can handicap them for the rest of their lives and leave them on the periphery of society.

How do we do it?

Our pioneering models for reforming institutional care systems have been recognised by UNICEF and other international bodies and governments.

We have learnt through bitter experience that unless you win over the people who are ultimately responsible for the welfare of the children, nothing you put in place will be sustained in the long term. Our first step is to identify institutions in countries where there is political will to change, and where the existing infrastructure and human and financial resources allow us to build and develop family based alternative care as well as community based services for children and families at risk.

We then work with the local authorities to develop sustainable alternatives and an enabling environment for when the institution is closed. This includes:
•    setting up alternative family based care systems
•    training local professionals to take over responsibility for the new system
•    developing services to support vulnerable families and prevent family breakdown
•    working with the local authorities to transfer funding for the institution to family based services

Throughout this process, our teams work with the children in the institution to identify the best possible placement for them. In many cases, support from our team means that the child can be reunited with his or her parents or extended family. For other children this may mean a fostering placement or national adoption. Others may have particular needs which are best served in a smaller family type home.

When we close an institution, a family-based solution is found for every child, which serves their best interest.

No child is left behind.