Childlight is pleased to invite applications for its Global Data Fellow (GDF) Programme. This 12-month fellowship, held over the course of the calendar year, offers a blend of virtual and in-person learning, as well as opportunities for collaboration and professional connection. It is designed for mid-level practitioners and researchers who wish to deepen their expertise and expand their networks in the field of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The deadline to apply for the 2027 cohort is 31 July 2026.About Childlight:Childlight is a…

Date: July 27, 2026Time: 11:00 AM ET How can we conduct research with children on the move in ways that are safer, more meaningful and responsive to their diverse contexts and experiences? Join Family for Every Child for Research with Children on the Move, a webinar bringing together two practical research experiences using participatory and child-centred approaches to explore sensitive issues, including digital risks, exploitation, discrimination and protection pathways. Speakers:

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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms children’s right to participate in decisions that affect their lives and to maintain connections with their birth families and cultures. Despite over three decades of this recognition, which is embedded in policy and practice standards globally, there is a dearth of research providing an understanding of whether and how children’s rights are enacted in practice for children from culturally diverse backgrounds in statutory out-of-home care. This article presents four case studies, drawing on the perspectives of children,…

Addressing child neglect can be challenging for child welfare professionals due to complex and intersecting factors. This qualitative sequential study explored child welfare agency challenges and current responses to child neglect, identified additional solutions to better support families, and examined higher-level child welfare perspectives to provide a more nuanced understanding of findings and assess the feasibility of potential solutions. Twenty-three child welfare professionals representing various positions (frontline workers, supervisors, senior leadership) from 6 agencies across…

Children are highly vulnerable in disaster settings due to developmental, physiological, and psychosocial limitations, increasing their risk of long-term mental health and psychosocial problems. Although disasters cause both physical and psychological consequences, psychosocial difficulties often persist longer and may hinder children’s developmental recovery. Therefore, familycentered psychosocial interventions are essential for post-disaster recovery. However, the integration of Family-Centered Care (FCC) principles into disaster mental health and psychosocial support systems remains…

BackgroundIn Austria, there is a significant research gap concerning the quality of out-of-home care (OoHC) provisions and their capacity to promote children’s well-being and development. Given the intrusive nature of such interventions, thorough evaluation is essential. This study protocol outlines a multi-method, long-term, and multi-perspective study that investigates: 1) the circumstances leading to full-time residential care placements; 2) the development of behavioral, emotional, and social factors over time; 3) key factors influencing children’s outcomes in residential…

The chapter interrogates the utility of the National Case Management System in promoting the needs and rights of children in street situations in Zimbabwe, using Harare Central Business District as a case study. The Child Rights Theory was used to understand and analyze the utility of the National Case Management System (NCMS) on the rights of these children. A qualitative exploratory case study design generated data for the chapter. Results from the study suggest that the National Case Management System has been marred by a number of challenges in its quest to promote the rights of children…

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have demonstrated a strong association with negative mental health and social outcomes. While a substantial body of research has explored ACEs in community and clinical populations, the attention given to the institutionalized population has been confined to specific adversities. The evidence specifically synthesizing the broader range of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their associated mental health and social outcomes in institutions remains sparse in this population. The current article aims to map and synthesize the prevalence and types of…

Date: July 22, 2026Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 am EDTEarly childhood is a critical period of development for all children, and it is particularly important for those with disabilities. Yet many children with disabilities still lack access to the support and services they need—and are entitled to as a fundamental human right.Approaches to supporting children with disabilities and their families—particularly caregivers—are often developed and delivered through sector-specific lenses, even though their needs cross sectors and disciplines. Too often, services are…

The July 2026 Better Care Network newsletter highlights new research, tools, and learning opportunities focused on children without adequate family care. This edition features a recent webinar on addressing social norms in transition practice, the Children's Climate Risk Report from UNICEF, a Therapeutic Toolkit for Migrating and Separated Youth, and much more.