Supporting CSOs in creating provincial child protection units (MO0061)

Challenge:

As part of the new strategy of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family 2022-2026 "GISSR" ("A Bridge for Innovation and Sustainable Social Inclusion"), the MSSIF is working on the territorial implementation of the integrated public policy for child protection 2015-2025. This involves generalising the creation of integrated territorial agencies for child protection in all regions of the Kingdom, in coordination with all concerned stakeholders. These agencies aim to strengthen the provincial child protection system in areas such as monitoring, psychological care, social assistance, judicial protection if necessary, reintegration, education, training, and monitoring-evaluation, as well as the prevention aspect. The integrated territorial child protection system consists of two fundamental elements:
1. Regional Child Protection Committee: created by decision of the governor and chaired by the governor, composed of representatives from external services of government sectors and national institutions concerned with child protection at the provincial level. It is responsible for developing provincial action plans for child protection based on a diagnosis of protection structures and services, aiming to improve prevention and care services, making them accessible to children and families.
2. Child protection support centre: comprising a team affiliated with the National Cooperation under the supervision of the provincial delegate, it acts as the permanent secretariat of the provincial committee, providing protection services, coordination, case orientation, and prevention. Given the components of this system, as specified by the Prime Minister's circular of July 2019, the representation of civil society remains crucial despite its significant rolein the field of childhood. In this context, recognising the important role played by associations working in the field of childhood, as partners of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family in developing and implementing public policies and programmes, and considering their proximity to families and children, the partnership programme launched by the Ministry in 2023 aimed at supporting projects to create "Child Protection Units (UPE)" to support the service package associated with the integrated territorial child protection systems, making of them a fundamental component of these agencies. 41 projects were selected to create these units in the twelve (12) regions of the Kingdom, according to precise standards established in the principles of good governance and special terms of reference. The partnership agreements between the ministry and the concerned associations were signed in November 2023 for three years.

Proposed solution:

As part of this commitment, support will be provided to associations to create Child Protection Units (UPE) to assist in the establishment of integrated territorial systems for child protection. The Child Protection Unit is a local structure managed by an association that provides various services in the field of child protection for children exposed to violence, abandonment, exploitation, or in danger, including:
A) Emergency protection:
▪ Monitoring and reporting cases of children in need of protection.
▪ Receiving and listening to child victims.
▪ Diagnosing the condition of children.
▪ Referring to specialised actors.
▪ Providing medical, psychological, social, and legal support to child victims.
B) Prevention and monitoring at the provincial level:
▪ Providing information, raising awareness, and contributing to the advancement of children's rights.
▪ Contributing to the preparation of provincial programmes and activities to promote the child's right to protection.
▪ Producing and processing statistical data.
▪ Coordinating with the Child Protection Support Centre

Scheduled Activities {Activity | Start Date | End Date):
Supporting the establishment of child protection units according to the partnership procedures between the Ministry and civil society associations | January 2024 | December 2025
Organising training sessions to strengthen the capacities of social workers in the child protection units | January 2024 | December 2025

Expected results:
▪ Involvement of associations supporting child protection units in the implementation of integrated territorial systems for child protection. Performance indicators:
▪ Number of reports published within the set deadlines.
▪ Number of training sessions organised for the personnel of the child protection units.
▪ Number of personnel from the child protection units benefiting from the training. Impact indicators:
▪ Number of children benefiting from the services of the child protection units.