Children in alternative care
Most children growing up in residential or institutional care are not orphans. And many end up there for reasons outside of a family's control.
Over 2 million children are estimated to live in residential care worldwide. But the majority of these children are not orphans and have at least one living parent or close relative.
Children end up separated from their parents or placed in alternative care for various reasons, not always for their own protection.
Armed conflict, natural disaster and migration tear many families apart – for days, months, even years. Other children enter residential care due to discrimination, often on the basis of disability (or the disability of a parent), ethnicity or sexual orientation. And in some places, government policies that fail to account for a child’s most basic need for nurture pull children from their loved ones indefinitely.
Most children living in residential or institutional care are not orphans. Some have been separated from their parents for reasons other than protection.
The long-term harm following family separation and unsuitable alternative care is well documented.
This is especially true of institutions, where children may experience forced cohabitation, fixed routines and other living arrangements that do not meet their individual needs. They are frequently deprived of the ability to make choices that promote healthy growth and development.
Almost all children growing up in alternative care are regularly isolated from their families and communities. Deprived of parental care, these children are more likely to experience violence, abuse and neglect. And the psychological and social harm that results can last a lifetime.
Bring hope and care to children in need
Our work
All children have the right to grow up in a nurturing environment. UNICEF works with governments and partners to develop policies and programmes that prevent unnecessary family-child separation and protect children deprived of parental care.
We focus on the root causes of separation, while strengthening child protection systems and supporting a child's transition from institutions to community- and family-based care. This means:
- Accelerating efforts to end the institutionalization of children through targeted programming and advocacy.
- Strengthening families to prevent family-child separation and improve child protection and welfare.
- Redirecting resources and prioritizing family-based alternative care within communities.
- Improving data collection and reporting systems for children without parental care to arm policymakers with the information they need to protect children.