Gatekeeping Considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Children are at heightened risk of becoming separated from their families during the pandemic. Additionally, spontaneous closure of residential care institutions can result in mass and poorly planned reunifications, often into unprepared families, without monitoring, putting children at great risk for protection violations and re-separation. The below tips should be considered to ensure gatekeeping procedures continue to remain effective or in some cases are strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The end goal is to prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their families, to ensure the child is safe if separation does occur, and that temporary alternative care options utilised are those which best responds to the unique needs and situation of each child.