Principles for Integrated Child Protection
Systems
In 2015, on the occasion of the 9 th Child Rights
Forum, the EC presented “10 principles for inte-
grated child protection systems” 10 , intended to
inform discussion on integrated child protec-
tion systems. The principles do not constitute
a legal interpretation of EU law. Based on
a child-rights approach, they nevertheless
provide a useful contribution towards ensuring
that national child protection systems provide
all children, including those in situations of
migration or seeking international protection,
with a protective environment as is necessary
for their well-being.
EC Communication on the protection of
children in migration
In 2017, the EC published a Communication
on the protection of children in migration 11 .
This Communication offers a comprehensive
framework with a useful set of principles and
recommendations aiming to protect the rights
of all children in migration, whether unaccom-
panied, separated, or with families. It addressed
the challenges faced by children throughout
their journey, from their arrival in Europe to
integration.
It promotes a child-rights approach and
insists on the best interests of the child and
the principle of non-discrimination as a basis
for all actions concerning migrant and refugee
children. More specifically, the Communication
calls for Member States to “ensure that a range
of alternative care options for unaccompanied
children, including foster/family-based care
are provided”. It also includes recommen-
dations for adequate reception conditions.
These comprise providing safe and appropriate
accommodation, access to support services such
as education, healthcare, psychosocial support
and leisure, independent representation, and
measures that promote migrant and refugee
children’s integration. It recommends the
training of professionals working with children,
including communicating with children in a
gender, age, and context-appropriate manner.
It also foresees the provisio