Getting Care Right for All Children: Implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children from FutureLearn

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for practitioners and policymakers from both state and non-state bodies (such as NGOs, CBOs and private service providers) and anyone working in providing services around children’s care. This might include social workers, para-social workers, community support workers, lawyers, psychologists, child protection professionals, teachers, medical workers and care workers, including those in family-based and residential settings. The course will also be accessible for people not working directly in this field and others with an interest or responsibility in the field of child protection and child care. The course will be conducted in English with some course materials (including text and videos) also accessible in Spanish and French, reflecting the truly global nature of this issue. You can use the hashtag #FLaltcare to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Week 1 - Introduction to the Guidelines, the Principles, and Gatekeeping
Week 2 - Upholding the ‘necessity principle’: Supporting and Strengthening Families
Week 3 - Upholding the ‘necessity principle’: High-Risk Children and Gatekeeping
Week 4 - Upholding the ‘suitability principle’: Selecting from a Range of Formal Care Settings
Week 5 - Upholding the ‘suitability principle’: Deinstitutionalisation
Week 6 - Leaving Care

Reviews summary

Implementing un guidelines for child care

According to learners, this course offers an incredibly comprehensive and well-structured exploration of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. Students consistently highlight its practical application, noting how the content is directly relevant to their daily work in child protection. The course benefits greatly from expert insights from CELCIS and the University of Strathclyde, making the information invaluable. Specific modules like deinstitutionalization and leaving care are particularly praised for their nuanced perspectives. While generally well-received, some experienced professionals might find certain sections to be a recap, wishing for more advanced discussions or interactive exercises.

Generally engaging, but some desire more exercises.

"I found the videos engaging, though I wish there were more interactive exercises or case studies to apply the gatekeeping principles."

"The content was a bit dry at times, and I found myself wishing for more engaging presentations beyond the readings and videos."

"I think the quizzes were helpful for reinforcing learning throughout the modules."

Features invaluable perspectives from leading institutions.

"The expert insights from CELCIS and Strathclyde are invaluable."

"The insights shared by the experts are truly inspiring."

"I found the instructors to be very knowledgeable, providing clear and well-informed guidance on complex topics."

Ideal for new and aspiring child care practitioners.

"As someone new to the child protection sector, I found it perfectly paced and easy to follow."

"This course is a solid foundation, especially for those new to the field or looking for a structured introduction."

"The material is presented in an accessible way, which really helped me understand the broader context of child care."

Provides thorough coverage with real-world application.

"This course is incredibly comprehensive and essential for anyone working in child protection. The UN Guidelines are broken down into practical, actionable steps."

"Absolutely vital training for social workers! The content is clear, well-structured, and directly applicable to my daily work."

"The emphasis on practical application of the UN Guidelines is a major strength of the course."

May recap for seasoned professionals; less advanced for some.

"For experienced practitioners, some parts might feel like a recap. I was hoping for more advanced discussions on complex legal frameworks."

"It's good for understanding the basics, but I felt it lacked the practical tools I needed for immediate policy implementation."

"I felt some sections, especially around high-risk children, could have delved deeper into specific intervention strategies."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Getting Care Right for All Children: Implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Getting Care Right for All Children: Implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: