Children on the Move:
Core Skills and Knowledge for Social Workers and Para Social Workers
This training package is designed for social and para-social workers who are dedicated to supporting Children on the Move (COM). This curriculum fills a critical gap in social work training by addressing the unique needs of children in refugee, internal displacement and international migration contexts.
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What’s Included
The Children on the Move Training Program was developed by UNICEF in collaboration with international child welfare experts from International Social Service, and academic partners from the University of Cape Town and the University of Belgrade, and technical inputs from UNHCR.
While trainees should have foundational case management skills and experience working with children, this package will deepen their understanding of case management and child protection for COM.
The curriculum emphasizes the rights of children on the move and the practice skills needed to protect them. It serves as an essential resource for both in-service and pre-service training, ensuring that social workers and para social workers are equipped to advance the rights and well-being of children on the move through targeted services and advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The training covers a range of topics crucial to working with children on the move:
- Background and key definitions related to understanding children on the move.
- Familiarization with actors, case management, and identification of children on the move.
- Culturally competent assessment of children’s needs, risks, vulnerabilities, and strengths.
- Individualized case planning and service delivery towards sustainable and durable solutions.
- Implementing Case Plans across a range of outcomes.
The training is designed to be adapted to local contexts in the country of delivery and facilitated by professionals and experts knowledgeable on issues of child protection and case management with children on the move. Detailed facilitation notes are provided for each module, allowing facilitators to customize the program to their specific context. The training encourages active participation through discussions, case studies, and group activities. The course should be facilitated by trainers with relevant professional backgrounds in the course material. Facilitator notes and resources are provided with the slide deck and contextualization guide to support local adaptation and preparation.
The training is free to download and self-facilitate. If you need assistance identifying facilitators to guide your group through the program, please contact [email protected] to inquire about options.
Yes, the training can easily be adapted for virtual facilitation. Materials are suitable for online workshops, and digital collaboration tools can be used for group discussions and activities. This flexibility allows participants to engage remotely from anywhere in the world.
Trainings should be facilitated through formal training programs or institutions. It is up to each institution to issue certificates or credits for course completion as applicable. The course cannot be completed for credit independently.
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If you experience difficulties accessing the training materials, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Acknowledgements
This package was made possible through the generous support of the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, refugees and Migration, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prospects partnership to UNICEF. It is dedicated to the memory of Professor Nevenka Žegarac from Belgrade University, a tireless advocate for children and social work education.