Concluding thoughts

In this video Chrissie Gale shares with you her concluding thoughts and summarises some of the main themes we have covered over the six weeks of the course. Chrissie made this video while in Sicily where unaccompanied and separated children were arriving on the coast behind her.

One of the main themes of the course has been the importance of offering the best possible alternative care, protection, and support to unaccompanied and separated children on the move, whether they are in transit for a short or medium period of time, or in a country of final destination.

We began the course by understanding some of the reasons why children are moving and the risks they face. We also understood how children who are moving with their parents or legal/customary caregivers may also face protection concerns and need alternative care.

We looked at some of the international treaties and guidance that should guide our work, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. We were also present at the moment when different States adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

We considered how important it is to carefully assess the individual circumstances of each unaccompanied and separated child, and to take their best interests into account. The results of these assessments will help us accurately plan for their care and protection.

We also realised how working with unaccompanied and separated children in a child friendly manner is very important. It can encourage children to accept our support rather than rely on others who will take advantage of them, as, for example, smugglers and traffickers.

I hope you found the information about tools and processes of case management useful. Please do consider how you might be able to adapt and use some of the materials in the additional reference documents we provided – especially if you are not already using case management procedures where you work.

And please remember our discussions about the importance of the full and meaningful participation of children when decisions are being made about their lives.

We took time to explore different forms of suitable and unsuitable alternative care. We were also fortunate to observe real examples of promising practice in different parts of the world where suitable care is being provided and services are being improved.

And finally, we looked at the process of unaccompanied and separated children leaving care, the challenges they may face during this period, and ways in which we might support them.

We do understand there are everyday challenges you face in supporting unaccompanied and separated children on the move. We hope, however, that the guidance we have offered and the standards we would like to see achieved for each child are something we can all strive towards together.

Finally, thank you so much for all your comments and the contributions you have made to the course. The opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and knowledge enriches the course and helps us all learn ways in which we might better support unaccompanied and separated children on the move.

I hope the information and ideas we have shared throughout the course will be of some practical help in whatever your role might be to support unaccompanied and separated children on the move.

How did the course work for you?

The course team is especially keen to hear about your overall experience on the course, what you found helpful, and interesting.

We have really enjoyed delivering the course and hope you have taken as much as possible from the six weeks. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavours!

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