Best Practices for Promoting Resilience Among Children Residing in Institutional Care

This peer-reviewed study examines how to build resilience among children living in institutional care settings in the global South, particularly India. Rather than focusing on individual traits, the authors propose an ecological approach that involves multiple stakeholders in children's immediate environments. The study identifies best practices for helping institutionalised children develop healthy adjustment through trust and supportive relationships. The research acknowledges that while deinstitutionalisation is a policy goal, institutional care remains widespread and therefore interventions to improve conditions are necessary.

Key points

• Institutional care remains the dominant model of alternative care for children in countries of the global South despite policies favouring deinstitutionalisation
• Building resilience among institutionalised children is presented as a practical intervention goal
• Resilience should be understood from an ecological perspective involving multiple stakeholders rather than as an individual attribute
• Best practices involve creating atmospheres of trust and support within children's immediate ecological contexts
• Multiple stakeholders within residential settings have a role in facilitating healthy adjustment

Limitations

The document appears to be an abstract or introduction that outlines the study's framework and rationale but does not provide details on the specific best practices identified, the methodology used, or empirical findings. Without access to the full report, it is unclear what evidence supports the recommendations or how they were evaluated.