Kiambu:Children’s officers in Kiambu County are participating in a five-day training session to facilitate the move from institutional care to family- and community-based child protection services. The training is being conducted at the Kiambu County Commissioner’s Hall from October 5 to 9 and includes county children’s officers and various stakeholders dedicated to child welfare.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training is organized by Weza Care Solutions in partnership with the National Council for Children’s Services, the State Department for Children Services, and Legacy for Children Kenya. The program aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the transition challenges faced by charitable children’s institutions (CCIs) and to provide them with the necessary skills and tools for guiding this process. It also focuses on improving comprehension of child welfare programs’ purpose, principles, and requirements.
Davis Nyakundi, a consultant at Weza Care Solutions, emphasized the program’s design to help officers develop practical approaches for implementing care reform at the county level. He highlighted the need for informed leadership, proper planning, and close coordination among all involved actors, noting that children’s officers are central to this transition process.
During the training, participants conducted a situational analysis of the current care system, exploring the factors leading to children’s institutionalization and the challenges hindering their return to family-based care. The discussions, based on findings from Kiambu, aimed to address these barriers through group work and reflection sessions.
Organizers noted that understanding these barriers is crucial as Kenya strengthens systems to prevent unnecessary child-family separations. In cases where separation is unavoidable, the preferred approach is to offer family- or community-based care instead of relying on residential institutions.
The workshop also seeks to foster a shared understanding among government departments, care institutions, families, and community actors regarding their responsibilities in care reform. Nyakundi stressed that successful implementation requires clear understanding by both policymakers and those directly working with children and families.
The program includes presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and daily reflections, with an aim to leave participants with a better grasp of the legal requirements and principles guiding care reform. As child protection actors increasingly focus on family strengthening and alternative care options, children’s officers are expected to play a crucial role in assessing needs, coordinating referrals, and monitoring reintegration.
The training aims to promote consistency in handling child welfare cases across Kiambu County, ensuring that interventions are guided by the best interests of the child. The outcomes of this program will inform the work of children’s officers and stakeholders as Kiambu continues its efforts to enhance child protection and support the transition to family-centered care.
