Recommendations
The case studies presented in this publica-
tion bring to light both shortfalls in current
practices and examples of how mainstream
child protection services can provide effective
responses to the needs of refugee and migrant
children, in particular those who are unaccom-
panied or separated, and therefore particularly
vulnerable. These recommendations draw on
the experience of civil society organisations
and their partners working with refugee and
migrant children in Europe, as exemplified in
this publication. We hope they will assist policy
makers and practitioners in the statutory sector
as well as in civil society to ensure migrant and
1. Ensure families can play a protective role
2. Provide quality family and community-based care to
unaccompanied and separated children
3. Ensure that guardians are equipped to safeguard
the best interests of unaccompanied and separated
children
4. End the migration detention of children
5. Strengthen children and families’ resilience and
ensure psychosocial support
6. Ensure care professionals are adequately trained and
supported
7. Promote equity of care and inclusion in the local
community
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refugee children, like all other children, have
access to protection and quality family and
community-based care in European countries.
The recommendations require States and the
EU to invest sufficient resources to ensure
services effectively support individuals, families
and communities. To achieve desired outcomes,
funding needs to be consistent, transparent,
predictable, accessible, long-term and based on
real needs.