🔹 Child Welfare Programs: Building a Child Protection Network.
🎯 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, a trainee should be able to:
- Define key terms related to child protection networks
- Identify key components of a child protection network
- Highlight the steps involved in building a child protection network
📘 Key Definitions
- Child Protection: Measures and systems that prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence against children.
- Child Protection Network: A collaborative group of individuals and institutions working together to safeguard children's rights and welfare.
💡 Why Child Protection Networks Matter
- Promote shared responsibility within the community
- Enable risk identification and coordinated responses
- Enhance support systems across different sectors
- No single actor can protect children alone—collaboration is essential
🧩 Key Components of a Protection Network
- Stakeholders: Teachers, health workers, religious leaders, local authorities, NGOs, families
- Referral Pathways: Clear procedures for reporting, responding, and follow-up
- Services Involved: Medical care, legal aid, psychosocial support, education
- Community Awareness: Ongoing efforts to build a safety-first culture
🛠️ Steps to Build a Child Protection Network
- Map existing resources
- Engage community stakeholders
- Define roles and responsibilities
- Develop SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
- Train participants and build capacity
- Monitor and review regularly
⚠️ Barriers & Challenges
- Mistrust in institutions
- Limited resources or knowledge
- Stigma and silence around child abuse
Solutions require: - Community ownership
- Training
- Accessible systems
📌 Assignment (Due Next Class)
Map out five key stakeholders for a child protection network in your community.
- Teacher: sharon naserian