All over the world, children are separated from their parents, caretakers and
communities due to – among other things – armed conflict, natural disasters,
pandemics and various forms of exploitation and abuse. The prevailing response to
those who cannot return to their family and/or place of origin by authorities and
aid agencies has been some kind of residential care. In this report from Save the
Children Sweden, the shortcomings of this model are discussed in relation to
community based care approaches, e.g. (extended) family and foster home
solutions for separated children. It identifies a series of critical issues for those
who wish to promote and protect the best interest of the separated child.