Strengthening Child Protection SystemsStrengthening Child Protection Systems in Viet Nam in Viet Nam

Le Hong Loan, Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Viet NamEmail: lhloan@unicef.org

Child Protection ChallengesChild Protection Challenges

No comprehensive child protection legal frameworkNo clear definitions on child neglect, abuse, and exploitationLack of clarity on role government agencies and civil societyLack of procedures and standards on prevention and interventions

Low priority in public expenditureLimited structure and capacity Lack of linkages between Justice and Social Welfare in legal framework and programmingLack of data and monitoring system, including national data on violence against children, child trafficking…

PROGRAMME STRATEGYPROGRAMME STRATEGYChild Protection Framework

(Legislation, policies, research)

Child Protection Structure (designated/specialized teams of social workers,

police, judges, juvenile court..)

Child Protection Services

ChildProtection

Services

Out-of-Home Care

Child FriendlyJustice Services

Behavior Change Communications

Progress AchievedProgress AchievedLegislation, strategies and policies on Social Welfare and JusticeStrengthened Social Welfare System

Good progress toward professionalization of social work professionImproved capacity of social welfare staffCommunity-based child protection structures – move away from issue/category-based responseImproved family support and shared care

Integration of child protection issues into social assistance/cash transfer and other social protection policiesDevelopment of respite care

Improved alternative careReforming adoption systemDevelopment of foster careReforming of institutional care

Improved rehabilitation services for children victims of trafficking, CSEC, abuse, street children, and children affected by HIV/AIDSImproving protection services for children with disabilities and Mental Health

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Community based Community based child protection system (CBCPS)child protection system (CBCPS)

Provide prevention (primary and secondary) and child protection services (tertiary) for children in communityMobilize resources from the government, informal sector and the communityCoordinate the effort of local authorities, relevant agencies, mass organizations, social organizations, NGOs, community and families in child protection

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Objectives of CBCPSObjectives of CBCPS

o Support families and communities to undertake the care and protection of children

o Stop risks of harm occur to childreno Rehabilitate children victims of harmo Support and rehabilitate families and communities

where harm towards children has occurred.

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Child Protection Service Structure at District Level

District Child Protection Committee

Police

Court

NGOs

Social Work Service Centre

Volunteers

Teacher

Emergency center

Hospital

DOLISA

Alternative care

Child Protection Officer

Justice

Health care worker

Procuracy

Inter-agency working groupInter-agency

working group

Achievement of CBCPS in Viet Achievement of CBCPS in Viet NamNam

Community-based child protection system has been implemented in 40/63 provinces20 social work service centres are in operation. 16 of them are delivering child protection services

RecommendationsRecommendations

• An operational guideline on child protection An operational guideline on child protection service delivery for social work service centres service delivery for social work service centres in the countryin the country

• Enhancement of child protection capacity for Enhancement of child protection capacity for workers in social work service centresworkers in social work service centres

• Increase of inter-sectoral cooperation for Increase of inter-sectoral cooperation for referral of child protection casesreferral of child protection cases

• A national data base on child protection in the A national data base on child protection in the countrycountry

Thank you for your attention!

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