Lumos

Institutional care can never replace the love and nurturing of a family. That's why we work to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, supportive home environment. We need to create a world where no child is left behind. 🌍💛 https://lnkd.in/euZaMTkj

Calling all NGO’s working with young people! 📣 We are looking for children and young people to participate in an accessible consultation on the topic of care and support systems on September 5th. The purpose of the consultation will be to collect feedback to help inform an expert workshop on the topic of care and support, to be held in late 2024 at the United Nations. The consultations will also help advise a report on these themes, which will be presented at the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2025. This consultation is in partnership with Lumos, Hope and Homes for Children, Save the Children UK, Plan International and United Nations Human Rights. If you know of a child or young adult located in the Eastern Europe who would like to take part, they can register below. We ask that those interested registering are supported by an organisation, and that they are available for the 90 minute consultation on 5th September 2024, 2pm BST. The consultation is in English, with translation services available upon request. If you would like to sign up a young person associated with your organisation, please send your safeguarding policy to Aisling Ledwith at [email protected] upon registration. More safeguarding information will be provided at the consultation. To register: https://lnkd.in/dPg9Dbxj #YouthEmpowerment #ChildRights #CareAndSupport #NGOConsultation #YouthVoices #HumanRights #UnitedNations #YouthParticipation #EasternEurope #SocialImpact #ChildProtection #InclusiveConsultation #YouthAdvocacy

A great thing about advocating on 'cross-sector' issues is discovering wonderful new organisations, networks and individuals doing brilliant work. One such network is Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), so it was great to be able to write this blog for their membership, outlining why it's so important that those working in global education care about institutionalisation, and demonstrating the harmful impacts of some forms of residential education. I'd love it if you could take a read and share your thoughts on this important topic 📢 #RightToEducation #ChildRights #ChildProtection #EiE Lumos

Last year, Lumos trained 117 people involved in #fostercare programmes and 71 foster mothers across Colombia. Our workshops focused on effective care processes and psychosocial support, helping regional authorities and private care providers reunite children with their families. We're committed to enhancing the skills and knowledge of those who care for children. ❤️ Learn more about our work with foster families in Colombia: https://lnkd.in/ev_R6yWp

Are you looking to share your knowledge and experience to better the lives of children globally? We're seeking expressions of interest for our trusteeship. Find out more about this life-changing opportunity: https://adobe.ly/3WVn5qg Applications close 16th September, 2024. #trustee #recruitment #trusteeship #charity

“There are so many people who turn to crime or try to kill themselves [as they’re unable to cope with life] after leaving the orphanages,” This harrowing testimony from a care leaver gives a tragic yet crucial insight into the experiences of those ageing out of care systems reliant on institutions. Retirement homes are not suitable living settings for young adults, and no young adult should be left feeling “unwanted and defenceless,” during such an important stage of life. The well-being of children must be placed at the centre of care systems so children may know the safety and care of community and family. https://lnkd.in/ecDevHSk

Together with Hopes and Homes for Children and Child I Foundation, we recently had the honour of hosting Members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child during their learning visit to Kenya and Rwanda. This visit centred on enhancing and supporting family care systems for children without parental care across Africa. Kenya was chosen as one of the destinations for this visit because it is at the advanced stages of its care reform journey, backed by legislation, policies, and practices that are already driving positive change. These reforms are the result of collaborations between state and non-state partners, highlighting the power of working together to improve the lives of children and families. In Kenya, the visitors Hon. Anne Musiwa, Special Rapporteur on Children Without Parental Care and Anteneh Bizuayehu, Technical Expert to the ACERWC were welcomed by senior representatives of the Government, including the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, who reiterated the Government’s commitment to the implementation of care reform. Our guests also completed a field visit to see care reform in practice, visiting a UNICEF disability programme and a transformed children’s home that is developing a vibrant community hub. We are excited to see the ACERWC’s commitment to improving the welfare of children deprived of parental care, and will continue to provide support as it works to drive continental change on this issue. Thank you to the Africa Working Group on Children Without Parental Care (AWG-CWPC) for your dedication to the cause of Children without parental care in Africa for your support to this initiative.

"An extensive body of research shows that residential care in its many forms — including orphanages and children’s homes — is a deeply problematic setting for a child to live and develop...Children in residential facilities face an increased risk of abuse and often have a damaged sense of belonging and emotional health." Read this latest article via The Hill on the harms of child residential education facilities, written by Lumos Director of Programmes, Enrique Restoy. https://lnkd.in/ed6JQrfV

Every child loves to get involved in something they are passionate about. We wanted to open doors to participation in 2023, so we invited 36 children and young people, including those with disabilities to participate in a groundbreaking two-day event in Kenya. Here, they shared their experiences and ideas with government officials, pushing for reforms to make family life safer and happier. This event marks just another step in our work to prioritise child and youth participation in care reform. #ChildVoices #SpeakingOut #YouthParticipation

When you take a deep dive into the topic of #safety and residential education facilities for children, the findings are confronting. Our recent literature review on the subject covered three studies, all of which reported negative safety-related outcomes. These include bullying, increased risk of child labour, and physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. One case study in Guaviare, Colombia, flagged numerous safety concerns in school residences, citing a lack of safeguarding measures and inadequate staff-to-child ratios. Often, there was no gender or age segregation, leaving even preschool-aged children vulnerable. Care reform must address the use of residential #education settings and ensure better access to local #education, preventing unnecessary #separation of children from their #families. https://lnkd.in/e5r3_EvW