On the 15th of September 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed showing a strong and promising partnership is about to begin between Research and Training Center for Community Development in Vietnam and Children & Families Across Borders (CFAB) in United Kingdom. Under the terms of the MoU, Social Work Professional Development Center, RTCCD will provide support to inter-country casework refers to (but is not restricted to) cases involving children in care and/or unaccompanied children and/or trafficked children in the UK who may potentially be placed with a family member in Vietnam. These cases may require a social work kinship assessment of the proposed family carer and/or post-placement, including welfare visits.
Right before and after the formation of the MoU, SWPDC and CFAB has continuously collaborated to assist in the resolution of inter-country casework concerning children in care, children at risk or other children who have been identified as being vulnerable. Below case studies typically represent this significant collaboration.
- Providing local support relating to re-integration for a teenage girl
In July 2015,RTCCD received a request from Children and Families Across Border (CFAB) in regard with a case of a young girl resided in UK who had difficulty with reuniting to her family. She lost connection with her parents in Vietnam and she did not know how to return to life in Vietnam*
In response to the request, SWPDC staff members identified potential organizations that provide residential care for women and children with special needs. Also RTCCD had conducted assessment of those organizations to select the best fitting one.Such organization should support girls and women in recovering, re-integration, and help them get on well with change in life. Now she has a new home and going to seek a job relating to the subject that she is interested in.
- A case study of integrated child protection support
In September 2015, CFAB sent RTCCD a request for support involving a case of Vietnamese girls who are currently living illegally in the UK. Since they are not legal citizens so there will be possibility of their basic child rights being disregarded such as education, healthcare, housing, etc.* SWPDC’s responsibility is to clarify the girls’ families’ information in Vietnam.
SWPDC have contacted with local Department of Labor – Invalids and Social Affairs, Child Protection Division and local Police Department to reach to the families, make sure that they are well informed and their expectations and needs are considered.
The case is still in the process of investigation and assessment.
Should you would like to learn more on CFAB activities, please refer to this annual below.
In addition to the cooperation with CFAB, RTCCD also partners with other international social work organizations including national International Social Service agency. Read the case study below for more information.
Providing in-country child care assessment to International Social Service in Singapore
In August 2015, International Social Service (ISS) referred to RTCCD a case involving child custody in Vietnam.
SWPDC’s staff provided anon-site family interview and comprehensive assessment to evaluate client’s capability of affording the best care possible to the child. Criteria based on the following factors:(1)family background, (2)living condition, (3)financial condition, (4)working and living style, (5)child care arrangement, (6)relationship with child and past care taking experience, and (7)partner situation. RTCCD’s social worker had shown experience and competency in giving an objective, concise, and evidence-based evaluating report. A thorough report then was sent to the ISS agency for the most relevant decision to ensure the child’s best interest.
Should your agency require any assistance in relation to child protection/fostering or adoption matters, please do not hesitate to contact SWPDC by email: ctxh@rtccd.org.vn [2] or office@rtccd.org.vn [3]
*The case details have been modified and condensed for confidentiality and privacy