1. Being family

2. Our calling to work with children
“A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling”
Psalm 68:5-6

3. God’s view of family What is a family?
What does family look like here?

4. God’s view of family Family comes from God and reflects who God is
Family is the only institution designed by God for the care of children
The Bible sees each child within the context of family and community
God wants his people to care for orphans and vulnerable children

5. God’s view of family The biblical model of family values:
Long-term sexual faithfulness between husband and wife,
Trans-generational support (e.g. grandparents/aunts/uncles),
Moral education of children in a loving framework.

6. Families promote healthy child development
Perspectives on what children need to thrive:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
How would the Bible inform our understanding of these universal human needs?

7. Families promote healthy child development
To thrive children need:
Foundations
Unconditional love
Attachment
Resilience

8. Families promote healthy child development
Children do not thrive or develop in a healthy way
Dysfunctional families
Separation from family
Institutional care

9. Being family 2

10. Why are children separated from their families?
UNICEF estimates 145 million children worldwide are orphans; Only 9% have lost both parents
Estimated 2 million children in institutional care; 80% have one living parent

11. Why are children separated from their families?
Armed conflict
Discrimination
Natural disaster
Trafficking
Disease
Abuse
Poverty
Lack of access to education
Disability
Violence ?

12. Changing trends in working with children
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Life, survival and development
Protection from violence, abuse or neglect
Education that enables children to reach their potential
Be raised by or have relationship with their parents
Express their opinions and be listened to

13. Changing trends in working with children
United Nations Guidelines on Alternative Care for Children 2009
Importance of a family environment for children
The State’s responsibility to ensure alternative care for all children deprived of a family environment

14. Changing trends in working with children
Constitution
Children’s Act / National Plan of Action for children
Alternative Care guidelines
National Child Protection laws
National Children’s home regulations

15. How to care for orphans and vulnerable children
The best way to provide care for children is to support them in their family.
If children are separated from family they are to be enabled to reunite with family quickly or be placed in a family environment.

17. How to care for orphans and vulnerable children
Continuum of care
1. Strengthening families to prevent separation

18. How to care for orphans and vulnerable children
Continuum of care
2. Responding to separated children
Short-term transitional care
Reunification
Small group homes

19. Working together for family based care

20. Working together for family based care
Step one
Gather together with others who are doing similar work with children and have a heart for children belonging in families. Form a working group.

21. Working together for family based care
Step two:
Identify the main reasons why children become separated form their families in the local context and understand the national laws, guidelines and standards that are relevant to work with children.

22. Working together for family based care
Step three:
Raise awareness with other network members about the benefits of family care for children.

23. Working together for family-based care
Further resources:
Why Families Matter Bible study toolkit for churches
Better Homes for Children manual to help churches and organisations plan for family-based care

24. Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of al the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.