Family tracing and risk assessment in transnational cases of children exposed to exploitation 13th – 14th May 2014, Riga Swiss Foundation of the International Social Service ISS Christoph Braunschweig, Social Worker

ISS activities and experiences in family tracing and risk assessments The West African Network for the protection of Children (WAN) Separated Children in Switzerland: Tracing of their family members and assessments of their situation in the country of origin in collaboration with the ISS network

3 The West Africa Network for the protection of Children (WAN) In construction since 2005 Links up the 15 countries of ECOWAS Transnational cooperation of CSOs and authorities Is first a mechanism of cooperation between countries enabling protection and quality reintegration of vulnerable children across borders and a platform of exchange for professionals in the field Principles of work : networking, complementarity, commitment for children, sustainability, quality care Ca. 3’500 children reintegrated in a family setting

4 Vision of WAN Connect the systems of child protection in West Africa to better identify, protect, reintegrate and monitor children and young migrants in vulnerable situations between the countries of the region. Mission of WAN Mobilize and build the capacities of actors in West Africa to support children and young people requiring transnational reintegration in a harmonized way, based on an individualized approach that respects their rights.

5 The Network WAN works at three levels at children’s, families’ and communities’ level At national and regional authorities’ level at professionals’ level (social, street workers, law enforcement agencies, NGOs)

Organisation -Comité de pilotage / Steering Committee : Ministères de la protection de l’enfance Ministries of child protection -Coordinations nationales/ national coordinations : ONG spécialisée dans la protection de l’enfance et/ou migration NGOs specialized in child protection and/or migration 1) agit comme responsable pour chaque enfant soutenu / acts as case manager for each child supported by the network 2) Active le réseau national pour trouver les ressources nécessaires correspondantes aux besoins identifiés / activate the national network to mobilize resources according to the needs identified 3) Assure le travail social transnational / ensure the transnational social work -Animation, facilitation, training and expertise SSI en coopération avec l’IDE ISS in cooperation with IIRC ECOWAS / CEDEAO ECOWAS / CEDEAO Intn’t org./ Org. intn’les Intn’t org./ Org. intn’les Tech. & Financial partners Commu- nautés/ commu- nities NGOs/ ONGs NGOs/ ONGs States/ Etats States/ Etats Child / Enfant Child / Enfant Mobilization and networking of partners

7 Methodology of intervention who gave birth to the regional standards for child protection Process in eight steps : -Identification of the child -Emergency care of the child. -Alternatives for placement of children outside their families. -Study of the child’s personal situation. -Tracing and assessment of the family and environmental situation of the child. -Social and professional reintegration of the child. -Monitoring of the child after his return to his family and/or his community. -Support to build-up parental capacities --> Can be applied for any situation of children in vulnerable situation

QUALITY STANDARDS FOCUS ON THE CHILD’S BEST INTEREST The eight steps of the standards forms a procedure to ensure the child’s best interest by the intervention of actors in direct contact with the child thanks to : A : Common ethics B : Professional attitude C : Support measures directed to the child D : Support measure for the benefit of families and communities 8

9 Tracing and assessment of the family and environmental situation of the child Most of the vulnerable children identified provide information in view of being able to locate their parents or relatives. A social study is conducted that assess the situation of the child in relation to his/her family and determines the conditions under which the return of the child should be organised. The social survey aims to collect information and identify the psychological and moral needs of the child. The professional should be attentive to the whole family to understand the causes of the separation from the child and evaluates the potential and weaknesses of the family members (with the anticipation of monitoring the child if placed with the family)

10 Cross national assessment of the family, for example Family size Relationship between the family members / family dynamics Place of life / environment of the family The immediate needs of the child after his/her return Is the family ready to welcome the child? The opportunities of the environment (school, training, other opportunities) If a foster family must be considered, is there a solution in the child’s extended family? etc.

ISS activities and experiences in family tracing and risk assessments in Switzerland Awareness raising and capacity building by organising conferences and seminars on BID process, durable solutions, right of the child to maintain contact with parents, aged out minors etc. Meetings with legal guardians, Social Workers and Social Educators in order to present ISS-possibilities to trace and assess family in the country of origin and ISS-methodology

Steps to be taken in order to obtain a social evaluation report Legal guardian, Social Worker or Social Educator identify separated children willing to re-establish contacts with family members Meeting with separated child, legal guardian, Social Educator and ISS in order to obtain all information from the child Collaboration between ISS and ISS partner in the country of origin with the objective to obtain a social and economic evaluation report on the situation of family members in the country of origin Report will be given in the hand of the separated child and the legal guardian. Separated child (in line with his/her age and maturity) decides together with the legal guardian whether or how to use the report (and when)

Continued exchanges and discussions with the professionals What is the role of the legal guardian in view of determining a durable solution in the best interest of the separated child? What is the role of the Social Educator in the specialised centre in view of determining a durable solution? What is the role of the legal guardian / Social Educator related to a durable solution, knowing that the separated child will soon come out of age? Etc., etc.

Thank you very much for your attention ! For more information: