This dimension does not relate to the sustainability of the placement or remaining in the country. This is uncertain for many CYP who may not be aware of their longer-term plans or where plans might change over time. Instead it is geared towards well-being, prospects and goals for the future and connections with the community.
The future location of every child migrant is uncertain. Multiple factors contribute to this: legal status, family ties, employment opportunities, a young person's own ideas about where they would move or settle in the future.
The care, protection and support provided should enable a child to gain competencies to be able to live safely and independently in the future, irrespective of how long or why they remain.
Another way that sustainability can be considered is around the extent to which the situation for the CYP is durable in the present. This does not mean that the CYP does not have ideas about the future which may include moving, and is not preparing for these, but that they are also living fully in their current situation.
Another way that sustainability can be considered is around the extent to which the situation for the CYP is durable in the present. This does not mean that the CYP does not have ideas about the future which may include moving, and is not preparing for these, but that they are also living fully in their current situation.
The focus of sustainability in this context is on CYP accessing services and resources that will help them to develop competencies which will be useful for them wherever they are in the future and in promoting their overall well-being and development. This includes the more tangible and obvious services and resources such as education and training, self-care skills and health care as well as 'softer skills' and less obvious traits such as confidence, resilience and the ability to socialise and make friends. These are based upon the effective provision of services and supports across the other dimensions of the integration model.
Sustainable reintegration of street-connected children: Voice of Children's approach
Voice of Children's Raju Ghimire explains the holistic support provided to children on the move in Nepal to ensure that reintegration back into families is appropriate and sustainable for the long-term.
See here for more information on VoC's 'LADDER' approach for supporting street-connected children.
Key actions and considerations for service providers
- Ensure that services and supports are in place for dimensions 1–5 of the model, even if not all services are provided or coordinated by your own agency or organisation.
- In the case of initial refusal, a full range of services should be regularly re-offered to CYP. Review and feedback loops need to be included in programming to ensure that this happens.
- Ensure services and support remain until a child transitions to adulthood – to at least 21 years old, or later, equivalent to whatever provisions exist for supporting children in state care in the country.
- Ensure that the transition out of state care as a minor is a key part of planning (transition planning) for all CYP – this includes a plan for housing, education, employment, legal status, and a solid support system of adults.
- Commence transition planning early, as soon after a CYP turns 16 years old as possible.
- Liaise with appropriate adult services to ensure continuity of support once CYP transition from support as a minor.
- Map other services and resources in order to identify and thus maximise available supports.