LECTURE: Strategies to Reform Child Protection Systems
Prepared by David Tobis
International Child Welfare:
Analyzing and Reforming Child Protection Systems
University of Central Lancashire
Tobis breaks down and responds to Michael Wessells’ three approaches to reforming child welfare systems: top-down, bottom-up, and middle-out.
Most child protection system strengthening supported by bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors and development agencies in low and middle income countries, in my experience, is top down. An outside organization works with a national or local government to identify needed changes—of course getting input from a wide range of stakeholders, including people at the grassroots level, but the initiatives are framed and driven by the top. There are, however, different strategies for reform that are often not seriously considered and should consider…