Drivers of child-parents separation informed by children and young people: findings from an eight country comparative study

Children around the world are being separated from parents and placed in alternative care. It is believed that for thousands of children, this separation is unnecessary. Our research sought evidence on the antecedents of such separation and how the placement of children into formal alternative care might be prevented. The study was undertaken in eight countries each presenting varied socio-economic contexts and realised through partnerships with national universities. This article, whilst emphasising the importance of the research methodology, has placed a primary focus on findings from the research with children and young people and the information they provided indicating the drivers of separation. Recognising how the participation of those with lived experience is vital in understanding real-life situations and relevant solutions, the use of participatory research workshops allowed for consultation with 517 children and care-experienced young people. Their voices were pivotal in gathering evidence about factors that keep families united and situations that might lead to separation. A particularly prominent finding was the many parallels in the insights children and young people shared with us across the countries. A conclusion drawn from the evidence is that the separation of children from parents and placement in alternative care can be prevented. This requires investment in legislation and policy that ensures universal access to basic and specialist services and addresses a range of interconnected socio-economic factors. The research findings were used to inform a set of recommendations aimed at policy makers and other stakeholders at both a national and international level.