THE country now has a standard procedure in approving, licensing, regulating and monitoring Out-of-Home Care Centres (OHCCs).
This was something that was lacking in the past, leaving OHCCs to do things on their own, when taking care of children placed under their watch.
Realising this gap, the National Office for Child and Family Services (NOCFS) had put together the document called the National Standards for Out-of-Home Care Centres (NSOHCC).
The NOCFS received technical support from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in piecing this document together.
Work on the NSOHCC started in 2020 with various workshops and meetings leading to the launching last Thursday.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Jason Peter officially launched the NSOHCC along with the Child Protection Case Management Standard Operating Procedure and the Gutpela Choice Information, Education and Communication materials at the Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby.
The launching was witnessed by NOCFS chief executive officer Mr Jerry Wap, Department of Community Development secretary Mr Jerry Ubase, UNICEF’s deputy (operations) Ms Kateryna Lytvynenko, UNICEF’s chief child protection officer Ms Paula Vargas, Western Highlands Community Development manager Mr Steven Tepra and other distinguished guests.
When launching the document, Minister Peter said children are important because they hold the country’s future in their hands.
“I want to thank everyone involved in putting this document in place to ensure that our children have a foundation and pathway to follow,” Mr Peter said.
“It is another significant step forward in protecting and promoting the well-being of our children in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“Children are the centre of our nation’s future; every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing and protective environment where they are valued, respected and given opportunity to thrive. Yet, we know that many children in our country continue to face neglect, exploitation, abuse and family separation,” Mr Peter said.
“Therefore, as a government, we have the responsibility to
strengthen systems that protect children and support families and continually provides care for our children,” he said.
Minister Peter explained that the creation of the NSOHCC is one of many initiatives to ensure that the welfare of PNG children in care centres are improved and strengthened.
Meanwhile, NOCFS chief executive officer, Mr Wap, said the NSOHCC is an important government document that will secure the future of PNG children in OHCCs.
“This minimum operating standard changes the landscape of child care in Papua New Guinea by setting clear non-negotiable benchmark that provides a structural blueprint ensuring that every registered care centre across our nation operates with the same high level of care,” Mr Wap said.
“The core pillars of the standard cover critical dimensions of child’s life whilst in institutional care, balancing children welfare and ensuring that nutrition, healthcare and educational support are not just optional but guaranteed,” he stated.
Mr Wap said the minimum standard will ensure that things like building structures, cleanliness, hygiene, security and care-giver background are properly verified and approved.
“This standard is not designed to shutdown our OHCCs, rather it is a tool for capacity building. It serves as a guide to further strengthen their operations, offering a clear pathway towards official registration and compliance under the law,” Mr Wap explained.