Our Belief

Whenever possible, children should grow up with their biological families. We provide alternative care only when necessary and always prioritise family-based solutions.

No Child should grow up alone: We provide children with alternative care, where necessary, and where families of origin are not the best place for children to grow up. With strong and healthy relationships, each child and young person can grow up with the trust and sense of belonging that is essential for them to become their strongest selves. Our quality care puts their individual needs and best interests first, and provides them with a nurturing and stable family environment. 

We are guided by the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children: We promote and are guided by the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children, to which we made key contributions in the development process. In line with the guidelines, we draw on our wealth of experience to provide and support a range of alternative care settings, because different children, different cultures, and different situations call for different care options.  

 

 

Our care options

We take the side of children and young people: Society's most vulnerable, especially the weakest, need a strong partner - unconditional, passionate, courageous and all with emphasis. This determination is necessary and effective. We are committed to young people who cannot live with their parents, as they are exposed to massive unequal treatment and we provide them with improved training opportunities after the end of compulsory schooling. Equal rights for all young people, no matter where they come from.

The SOS CV alternative care provides support for kinship care as one of its care options in communities outside Family Strengthening geographical areas. Children who have lost parental care but have family relations who are ready to provide scare for them are supported to do so. The support is tailor-made and dependent on the needs of the kinship family.

SOS CV collaborates with the DSW to support foster care families who need support to be able to provide quality care to children placed under them for foster care. The kind of support is also depends on gaps that are identified after assessment, and this includes education, health, clothing, accommodation, and income generation support.

As part of measures to reduce institutionalisation, the organization has moved some of the families from the SOS Villages into the mainstream community. Like any other family, the children live in the community with the SOS mother. The family gets the opportunity to mingle with community members and participate in every community activity.

The AC implements emergency care, where children who need emergency care are admitted first without following the gatekeeping process. The gatekeeping process is followed after their lives are secured. Children under emergency care can be placed under any of the AC options for a period of up to 6 months. After the placement a vigorous family tracing is conducted to identify the family or placed under a family base care option.

The FLC provides a temporary home for children who have totally lost the care of their parents. In collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, the children are admitted into this care option only when all other options have failed. Children receive temporary care for up to 3 years as family-based care options are explored.

Pillars of SOS Family-Like Care: 

·        We provide care and education to equip each child to face life’s challenges in the future 

·        We nurture every child’s talents so that they can develop their full potential and shape their own futures

·        We nurture a secure, loving, and reliable relationship between the child and their parent or a primary caregiver

·        We work with community partners to develop strong social support systems for children and families to develop, grow and learn in a positive, supportive environment 

·        We aim to provide the most appropriate care for each individual child 

Our care principles

SOS Children’s Villages in Ghana has a wealth of experience in caring for children, especially those without parental care or at risk of losing it. We succeed in doing this because we follow strong principles; which are at the heart of our work for children and young people.

Every child is unique and respected

We guide children and young people to become self-reliant and contributing members of society.

Every child needs a caring and stable parent

We work to ensure that children can experience a reliable relationship with a caregiver based on love, respect and security.

Every child grows up in a supportive family

In all cases, we maintain the best possible relationship between the child and the family of origin.

Every child is part of a safe and supportive community

We support families to connect across their community to share experiences and offer one another a helping hand.

 

We listen and accompany:  What children and young people lack most is attention, respect, security and a home. They need someone who likes and supports them unconditionally. These basic needs are essential, and we guarantee them. We support young people with a lot of empathy and the expertise of our organization in children's residential groups. We create individual and sustainable care plans and strengthen their personality. The aim is to empower young people to lead independent lives with respect for themselves and others.

Safeguarding

Family Strengthening

Youth Development

Special Projects