Child Protection During COVID-19

The COVID-19 Cycle goes through various stages that are dynamic, not linear. The infographic below illustrates the COVID-19 Cycle and its stages:

In each country, public health measures are being implemented in unique ways, resulting in different impacts on children. How practitioners need to adapt activities will depend on both the stage of the cycle as well as the public health measures in place.

This means that we need to be informed by our context as well as by the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action and the ‘Guiding principles for child protection actors in COVID-19’.

Child Protection During COVID-19: Key Considerations

What are the key considerations for child protection practitioners when adapting individual and group activities for child well-being during COVID-19?

CP Strategy: Individual and group activities for child well-being (CPMS 10 and 15)

MINIMUM STANDARDS:

• Replace group activities with community-based, home-based, peer-to-peer and one-to-one care and support. Example methods may include child-friendly mindfulness activities over radio and television; online mindfulness, yoga or group activities; collaborative, creative projects (art, poetry); community activities with visual but not physical contact; and/or regular telephone calls from a friend or trusted individual.
• Train personnel who are implementing mental health, well-being and group activities on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and how to communicate appropriately with children and communities about the virus.

IN YOUR CONTEXT THROUGH ALL STAGES:

• Have child-friendly materials on infectious disease transmission, preventing violence, and psychosocial well-being been developed and disseminated to children and families?
• Have communities and children actively participated in the design and implementation of these materials?

Child Protection: Preparedness Actions

1) Are infection prevention measures (such as access to PPEs) available at all locations that provide activities for children? Is a preparedness plan available in the event that face-to-face activities cannot take place? Are staff trained on infectious disease transmission, prevention and control; child protection risks; and psychosocial responses?

Child Protection: Response Actions (Containment, Control, Mitigation)

2) Have age and gender-appropriate messages been developed and conducted by and with children through various media (e.g. radio, loudspeakers, message boards, TV, digital)? Have efforts been made to combat the potential stigmatisation of infected children? Are strategies in place for providing remote psychosocial support to children who are self-isolating? Have recreational and educational kits been distributed to households?

Child Protection: Transition and Recovery Actions

3) Have efforts been made to restart group activities for children that are adapted to their age and gender and are based on the lifting of measures? What fears need to be addressed as children and families re-engage with activities? How will government guidelines be followed when opening group/school activities?