Unaccompanied and Separated Children

Led By: International Rescue Committee and Save the Children

Contact us at: uasc.tf@alliancecpha.org

Our Mission

To enhance the protection of unaccompanied and separated children in situations of conflict and natural disaster, through strengthening and harmonising case management of Unaccompanied and Separated Children. The UASC Task Force provides technical material and support to guide policy development and programming in addressing all cases of family separation.

Key Priorities of the Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Task Force

Ensure that technical standards and tools for UASC programming reflect the latest evidence and feedback from all relevant actors, including other sectors and local partners.
Increase the ability of actors at all levels and contexts, particularly local actors, to access existing technical tools and knowledge on UASC in humanitarian contexts.
Facilitate the coordination, participation and contributions of all UASC WG members as well as efficient collaboration between other groups and entities internal and external to The Alliance.
Provide timely responses to all questions and issues addressed to the UASC WG.

Latest News

Alternative Care in Emergency Survey on Needs, Approaches, and Gaps

The Alliance Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Task Force is undertaking this survey to understand: What alternative care needs exist in a range of humanitarian and crisis-prone contexts What approaches have been developed to address these needs What gaps exist in how to work effectively with children in alternative care This short survey is aimed at child protection and alternative care...

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New Training Package! UASC Training of Trainers

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Task Force is thrilled to announce the release of the UASC Training of Trainers Learning Package! The course is designed to prepare participants to facilitate training on UASC. This training will reinforce participants’ understanding of the specific needs of UASC, highlight good practice in working with unaccompanied and separated children under a...

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Hot off the Press! Guidance Note on Primary Prevention of Family Separation

In 2021, the Alliance published the Primary Prevention Framework for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (the Framework). This was developed due to the recognition that whilst there has been significant progress regarding response to harm against children, less emphasis has been placed on preventing abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation of children. The aim of the Framework is to provide...

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Task Force Member Organisations

About the UASC TF

UASC RF Resources

Key Tools

Toolkit on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC)

January 2017

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Toolkit is a product of the Inter-agency Working Group on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (IAWG UASC). It was produced in conjunction with the Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Field Handbook, 2016.

In 2004, the Inter-agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children established the, at-the-time unique, core principles

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Field Handbook on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC)

January 2016

The Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Field Handbook is a product of the Inter-agency Working Group on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (IAWG UASC). It was produced in conjunction with the Unaccompanied and Separated Children Toolkit, 2017.

In 2004, the Inter-agency Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children established the, at-the-time unique, core principles for

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Alternative Care in Emergencies Toolkit (2013)

July 2013

The Alternative Care in Emergencies (ACE) Toolkit is designed to facilitate interagency planning and implementation of alternative care and related services for children separated from or unable to live with their families during and after an emergency. There is no single type of care placement that will meet the needs of all children. Each emergency will have its own set of protection risks

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Resources

Training of Trainers | Unaccompanied and Separated Children

September 2023

*Note: Please get in touch with the L&D Working Group ( learning@alliancecpha.org) if you are planning to using this package for feedback gathering purposes. Thank you. In 2018, the Alliance’s Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Task Force, led at the time by IOM and UNHCR, developed and subsequently piloted a first UASC Training of Trainers package based on thematic interagency guidance...

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The Unaccompanied and Separated Children Task Force - Offer of Support

June 2023

This document provides an overview of the Offer of Support provided by the UASC Task Force to emergency responses. This document is intended for the relevant Child Protection Coordination body in-country (ex. CP AoR, CP Sub-working Group, UASC TF). Contact us at uasc.tf@alliancecpha.org or check us out at on our Unaccompanied and Separated Children Task Force webpage.

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Learning Package | Prevention of Separation

June 2023

This introductory learning module has been developed by the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. The learning module is designed to strengthen participants' overall understanding of prevention related elements from the UASC Handbook and Toolkit and the ACE Toolkit within the three levels of prevention described in the CPHA Primary Prevention Framework. The decision to use this...

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Guidance Note | Primary Prevention of Family Separation

November 2022

In 2021, the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action published the Primary Prevention Framework for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (the Framework). This was developed due to the recognition that whilst there has been significant progress regarding response to harm against children, less emphasis has been placed on preventing abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation of...

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Cash and Voucher Assistance and Child Protection in Humanitarian Action

June 2022

What is the purpose of this tool? This tool gives guidance on providing cash and voucher assistance directly to children/adolescents who are unaccompanied or heading a household. Who is this tool for? This tool is for all actors using cash and voucher assistance as a form of intervention in humanitarian settings. It is recommended that those without child protection expertise involve child...

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Call for Moratorium on Intercountry Adoption in Response to the Conflict in Ukraine

June 2022

During emergencies, such as conflict, it is a well-accepted principle of States’ obligations under international law that adoption is not an appropriate response for unaccompanied and separated children. Children separated from their parents during a humanitarian emergency cannot be assumed to be orphans. Until the fate of a child's parents or other close relatives can be verified, each separated...

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Media

WEBINAR | UNACCOMPANIED AND SEPARATED CHILDREN (UASC)

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