This is a call for collaboration and support.
I have started an ambitious independent project that aims to build on various resources and tools that are developed by different (I)NGOs and practitioners to provide concrete guidance on implementation of various parts of the process of transitioning alternative care from institutional to family-based. I intend to map the resources and tools – also those developed for specific countries – available, (and am able to read documents in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and Dutch). The project will go beyond an overview of what is out there and where it can be found. It will include a full analysis of the strengths, weaknesses of, and gaps in and between the different resources and tools. The mapping will only be the first stage of the project. The second stage will be to develop a document – or given the eventual size, really more of a compendium – in which the strongest elements from all the resources will be brought together (properly referenced) and to create new material to fill the gaps identified.
This will be done through a desk review of existing resources and tools. Therefore this is a call to organisations and practitioners willing to collaborate and support this work to share the resources they have developed, both those already publicly available and those currently not made public. The desk review will be supplemented by consultations with experts – including care leavers – willing to give their time. Both through conversations and, if I can find willing partners, through collaborations. Additionally, I will look for validation of an early draft of the final ‘product’.
The reason I have decided to start this project is that there are many tools and resources, and more appearing constantly. There is a lot of duplication as well as significant gaps. All of these resources are incredibly important and valuable. However, in my work of helping organisations and governments put transition of care into practice, when I point to these references, the response is generally that this is wonderful, but ‘what should be the next practical step?’ In practice, a reasonable amount of technical knowledge is needed to be able to efficiently find the resources and tools relevant to the issue ‘currently facing us’.
I will take this on and get as far as I can with or without the support of others. I am unaffiliated with any NGO or other organisation working on care reform and will rely on my technical expertise to determine what should or should not be included, hopefully validated eventually by those willing to review the work along the way.
I am also looking for funding, to enable me to focus on this work instead of having to plan it around other paid consultancies and thereby requiring substantially more time to complete the project. I will work on it regardless of whether I find the funding or not.
The outcome of this project will obviously not be a definitive work, but hopefully it can provide a starting point and something that all people involved in alternative care reform can benefit from – saving much time and resources currently expended on repeatedly reinventing the wheel. I am encouraged by two organisations having already expressed their interest in discussing the possibility of collaboration further, and I am hoping to hear from others.
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Florence Koenderink posted in BICON Conference discussion group
7 months ago Public -
Thanks to everyone who joined us in person and virtually at BICON!
Within the next few days, we will share the final BICON report, the event recordings, some of the presentations and other relevant documents. In the meantime, please use this space to share information about yourselves and your organisations, including any materials and upcoming events you are organising.
You are also invited to discover and join our open communities of practice and connect with other professionals like yourselves! https://changemakersforchildren.community/communities
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BICON is today! Registration for in-person attendees starts at 08:00 am at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu. If you are joining us online, you can access the virtual sessions from the virtual event page: https://changemakersforchildren.community/5bicon/
Looking forward to meeting you!
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4th BICON | Final Report is now available!
BICON 2021 was an opportunity for government and intergovernmental representatives, civil society organisations, practitioners, academics and most importantly care experienced young people to come together and discuss the most pressing issues regarding children’s care in Asia. With a focus on implementation, practitioners shared examples of innovation, highlighted promising practices, and showcased local solutions to challenges faced by countries across Asia.
The Final Report is filled with challenges, recommendations, session summaries, speaker bios and more! Download your copy now!
https://changemakersforchildren.community/group/bicon-conference-discus…