ChildTRAC supported UNICEF funded researcher, David Tolfree, who prepared a report on the situation of children in alternative childcare in tsunami affected areas of Thailand.
A UNICEF commissioned report - ‘The Situation Analysis of Alternative Child Care in the Six Tsunami-Affected Provinces in Southern Thailand’ will be published in late 2007.
Abstract: A UNICEF commissioned report to determine the situation of children in alternative childcare (in tsunami affected Thailand).
Background
The economic recovery from the Indian Ocean Tsunami that hit Thailand’s West Andaman Coast on December 26th 2004 has been slow and arduous; increasingly, more and more families – both biological parents and extended family- are feeling mounting pressures to place children into institutional care. These institutional arrangements include, but are not limited to, group homes, orphanages, temporary residential care (foster care) and boarding schools. Recent reports in the tsunami affected provinces indicate that an increasing number of organisations are approaching families to take over the care of their children.
Presently, there is little or no monitoring of alternative care arrangements for children within a non-primary, family setting and limited capacity within the government to monitor and support these arrangements
Main concerns
How are organisations being regulated and coordinated? Are there legal provisions for children without parental care, family or community based care? What are the organisational roles in terms of alternative child care, and the responsible government authorities operating within the childcare sector?
Due to the indeterminable status of children affected by the tsunami, UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to develop a policy on alternative care arrangements to promote family and community-based care.
Project Overview
UNICEF has commissioned a report, to be written by David Tolfree, an independent consultant, entitled ‘The Situation Analysis of Alternative Child Care in the Six Tsunami-Affected Provinces in Southern Thailand.’ This project is intended to determine where and why gaps of information and action exist within alternative child care.
The report will review arrangements for children in alternative care living in conjunction with issues such as social exclusion, socio-economic difficulties, and HIV/AIDS.
The report will also explore the role of the government, institutions, law authorities, and primary stakeholders in order to understand and assess the systems, policies, and structures in place, which currently dictate the status of the tsunami-affected children living in alternative childcare.
Methodology
Assisting the primary researcher (David Tolfree), ChildTRAC facilitated a series of interviews with caregivers and children within institutions, shelters, welfare homes and boarding schools.
Researchers utilised the Speak out Kit (SOK) as a tool in child interviews in order to help determine their well-being.
ChildTRAC also collected information on the Thai legal system relating to child care, government and private institutions, shelters, welfare homes and Non Government Organisations.
Geographical scope
Information was gathered in the six tsunami-affected provinces in Southern Thailand: Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Satun, Trang, and Krabi. Additional information was also gathered from institutions located in neighbouring provinces to create a base for comparison between established institutions and those which were created post tsunami
Additional provinces included Surathani, Na Kon Si Thamarat, Songkla, Yahla and Na Ti Wat.
Findings
All detailed findings will be documented in David Tolfree’s ‘The Situation Analysis of Alternative Child Care in the Six Tsunami-Affected Provinces in Southern Thailand’ Report to be published by UNICEF by the end of 2007.
Also included in this report will be the supplementary information gathered and organized by ChildTRAC, which includes alternative childcare arrangements, national legislation, procedures, and the response in practice, as well as the situation of orphanages and residential centres.