Evaluating the Implementation of the Policy of Deinstitutionalization in Charitable Children Institutions in Kiambu County

Abstract

The study evaluates the implementation of the policy of deinstitutionalization in Charitable Children Institutions (CCIs) in Kiambu County. This was mainly a descriptive research carried out in Eighty-two CCIs in Kiambu County. Main objective of the study was to evaluate implementation of deinstitutionalization policy in Charitable Children Institutions in Kiambu County. This was achieved through three specific objectives, namely; To identify the factors causing slow progress in the implementation of deinstitutionalization in CCIs in Kiambu county; To examine the human rights violations occasioned by de-prioritization of deinstitutionalization; To explore the ways in which CCIs implement deinstitutionalization. The study was premised on the Beneficence ethical theory which emphasizes that all services rendered to children need to adhere to the do no harm principle. The theory as applied to the study means that deinstitutionalization should take place within the stipulated three years in the National Standard for Best Practices in Charitable Children‟s Institutions and ensure that children are reintegrated to families. The main respondents in the study were the staff in CCIs. The data obtained was supplemented through key informant interviews of CCI managers, representatives of civil society organizations and civil servants from the Department of Children Services. Sampling was by way of systematic sampling through which we selected twenty-seven CCIs. Four care givers per CCI were chosen through purposive sampling bringing to a total of 108 respondents. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the staff of CCIs. The questionnaire was supplemented by key informant interviews using interview schedule. The quantitative data was analysed descriptively and tables generated. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data and presented in prose. The findings of the study indicated that lack of governance and accountability arrangements negatively affected deinstitutionalization to a great extent. Other factors affecting the deinstitutionalization process included the legal framework, personalization of services, organizational complexity and high staff turnover. The study established that deinstitutionalization was not prioritized, which in turn affected the human rights of children in CCIs. It was also found that CCIs facilitated some children rights while others such as the right to family were infringed. The study further ascertained that majority of the people viewed deinstitutionalization as closure of CCIs by the government. Based on the findings, the study recommends systems change by the government to improve safety nets which in turn would address further infringement of children‟s human rights and prevention of separation from parents in line with article 18 and 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In conclusion, the study determined that there is need to educate the stakeholders who include the general public on what deinstitutionalization is and its benefits for future implementation.