Alternative Care Programme

“Established in January 2008 in Hargeisa, the Alternative Care Programme provides long term family based alternative care for children who lost or are about to lose parental care. The AC has 3 program units; Family Like Care – FLC, Foster Family Care – FFC and Youth Care – YC. Currently, the AC Programme accommodates 206 children and young people (FLC 81, FFC 60 and YC 65), 84 girls and 122 boys.

In order to plan and implement the de-institutionalization strategy for residential care centres , The AC Programme aims to scale up the Family Foster Care option in Hargeisa, Borama and Berbera. Also, integration of families in the FLC into the community is priority.”

We believe that, whenever possible, children should grow up with their biological families. Despite the best efforts of authorities and SOS family strengthening, family breakdown is sometimes unavoidable.

At such times, children need suitable alternative care until their family’s circumstances improve enough for them to return home. Children who no longer have a living parent require long-term quality alternative care to support them in developing into independent adults.

Kinship Care:

Kinship care is a form of alternative care where a child lives with a member of extended family, an older sibling, or even with family friends. Kinship care is mostly informal and arranged privately, but can be formally arranged by a child welfare authority. Kinship care is then carried out as kinship foster care. We support kinship care through our family strengthening programmes.

Small Group Homes:

Care provided to small groups of children or young people by professional child and youth care workers or couples working on a shift or rotational basis. Usually, there is a focus on reintegration with the family of origin.

Care in Emergency Situations:

We arrange care for children in emergency situations arising from disasters.

Foster Care:

A care arrangement whereby a child is formally placed in the domestic care of one or two adults acting as foster parent(s). Foster care is integrated and supported in SOS Children’s Villages in various ways, including:

  • Parents in SOS Children’s Village families become official foster parents, making them eligible for financial support from the state.
  • Setting up and running foster family networks, where foster families either live in their own homes or in a home provided by SOS Children’s Villages.
  • Providing support services to existing foster families, including training and counselling.
  • Supporting partners, such as community-based organisations, to develop foster care.