Why we worked in Thailand

Care for Children first began working with the Thai government in 2012, following a family placement conference co-hosted in Chiang Mai in 2011. Over the following decade, we had the privilege of working alongside government leaders, social workers, caregivers and communities to support the growth and strengthening of family-based care across Thailand.

Our work in Thailand has now come to a close as we complete our planned exit from the country. This reflects Care for Children's approach to creating sustainable change: supporting governments and local professionals to develop the skills, systems and leadership needed to continue driving reform long after our direct involvement ends.

Our Partnership

When Care for Children's partnership with the Thai government began, family-based care was available in only eight of Thailand's 30 government Child Welfare Homes. At the same time, hundreds of children were entering provincial Shelters for Children and Families, often with limited pathways into family care.

Working in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Care for Children delivered training and technical support to Child Welfare Homes and Emergency Shelters for Children and Families across the country. Together, we worked to reduce unnecessary institutionalisation and increase opportunities for children to grow up in safe and nurturing family environments.

Our Impact

As a result of this partnership, all 30 government Child Welfare Homes and all 77 Shelters for Children and Families in Thailand received family care training through Care for Children. The number of Child Welfare Homes operating family-based care programmes doubled, creating new opportunities for hundreds of children to experience family life rather than institutional care.

Over the course of our time in Thailand, thousands of child welfare professionals received training, with support provided to over 100 residential care institutions. Care for Children also contributed to the implementation of seven pieces of child welfare legislation, helping to strengthen the systems and policies that support vulnerable children and families.

Thailand now has a growing network of dedicated professionals, family carers and leaders working to ensure that more vulnerable children can experience the safety, stability, belonging and love that family provides.

While our direct involvement has ended, the systems, skills and partnerships developed through this work continue to support Thailand's ongoing commitment to strengthening family-based care for children.

What we achieved in Thailand