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Important News: Understanding the Impact of Kenya’s Children Act 2022 on Child Rescue and Care

Change is happening in Kenya with regard to the rescue, care and placement of abandoned children – the three components of New Life Homes’ mission. According to the Kenyan Children Act 2022, Children Rescue Centres are to be established in every county across the country. These centres can accommodate children for up to 6 months, pending placement in alternative provision. Charitable Children’s Institutions must be registered and have the primary objective of the provision of “family-based care” for all placed children, where such placement is a last resort and under normal circumstances should not exceed 3 years. The intention is that where rescued children require care, this should be with foster parents where possible, leading to adoption.  

Navigating the Challenges of Implementing Family-Based Care for Abandoned Children

It is unclear how this law will ultimately affect the operation of New Life Homes and which category our homes will be designated as. The principle that family-based is better than institutional care for the welfare of children, is well known and accepted. The challenge for abandoned children is to find suitable families willing to take on this role. The need for emergency rescue and care provision is not going to go away. Sick babies may require specialist medical attention from our nursing teams. The establishment of suitable foster care provision will take time, resource and careful vetting, training and support.  Sadly, there will always be some children, particularly those who are severely disabled and requiring specialist support, who may never be candidates for adoption.   

The Act sets out a 10 year timescale from its publication for the full implementation of these changes. New Life Home Trust is considering how our practices can be reviewed and adapted to align with the statements of intent laid out in the Act. We are planning for change and liaising closely with the government agencies to establish a model of good practice that will serve the aims of this legislation whilst ensuring continuing care and provision for all those children needing it.

Continuing Support and Advocacy from the UK

Here in the UK we will provide ongoing support and advocacy for the work that will undoubtedly continue. In the short term, we are aware of the current needs which we are liaising with the team in Kenya over to identify the priorities. We are so grateful for all that has been achieved and to everyone who has so graciously supported the work, providing hope for some of the most vulnerable individuals.    

Please check back for further updates.

 

Learn more about our vision, mission and values here, or go behind the scenes and take a look at some of our life-changing work at the NLHT centres in Kenya.