The extraordinary role of case management in daily care

The Child Reintegration Centre (CRC) in Sierra Leone fully transitioned its residential programme to family-based care in 2018. The reintegration of all the children from the residential programme into families necessitated the inclusion of a robust case management system to ensure permanence for every child. Case Management is critical to provide support and ensure success. Good case management includes gatekeeping, discreet record-keeping, inclusion of the child and of the caregivers in the development of care plans, clear exit strategies and family support plans to ensure the health and safety of the child and to strengthen and empower parents. The CRC Case Team conducts traditional assessments and home visits, but also teaches parents and caregivers how to parent well, build financial independence, and become empowered to care for their own children. Families are encouraged to attend workshops, social and sports events at the CRC to strengthen parenting and relationship skills, and engage with other families on the programme, building strong community relationships as well. By creating a community of care consisting of assigned case workers, the CRC case team, and other families in the programme, families are learning to care for their own children, each other, and their community.