How to manage child welfare during COVID-19

Here, we consider the minimum standards and key considerations for child protection practitioners when adapting individual and group activities for child well-being during COVID-19 and other IDOs.

In each country, public health measures in response to COVID-19 and other IDOs are implemented in different 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″.

The IDO Response Cycle

The IDO Response Cycle goes through various stages that are dynamic, not linear.

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

Different actions can also be taken at different stages of the IDO response. Here is an example of a checklist you can use when adapting group-activities for child well-being during COVID-19 and other IDOs.

Preparedness Actions

• Prepare infection prevention measures (such as access to masks etc.,) at all locations that provide activities for children.
• Develop a preparedness plan in the event that face-to-face activities cannot take place.
• Train staff on infectious disease transmission, prevention and control; child protection risks; and psychosocial responses.

Response Actions (Containment, Control, Mitigation)

• Develop and deliver age- and gender-appropriate messages with children through various media (e.g., radio, loudspeakers, message boards, TV, digital).
• Consider approaches to combat the potential stigmatization of infected children.
• Develop strategies for providing remote psychosocial support to children who are self-isolating.
• Distribute recreational and educational kits to households.

Transition and Recovery Actions

• Commence efforts to restart group activities for children that are adapted to their age and gender.
• Identify concerns that need to be addressed as children and families re-engage with face-to-face activities.
• Ensure government guidelines and public health measures are followed when opening group/school activities.