This document can also be found on the official website of the Separated Children in Europe Programme (SCEP) at: http://www.scepnetwork.org. The Separated Children in Europe Program (SCEP) Statement of Good Practice, 2010, resource is the result of the efforts of the Separated Children in Europe Programme.
The Separated Children in Europe Programme (SCEP) started as a joint initiative of some members of the International Save the Children Alliance and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It has grown and evolved and is now comprised of many non-governmental partners throughout Europe who continue to work closely with UNHCR. The International Save the Children Alliance promotes the full realisation of the rights of all children. UNHCR’s responsibility is to ensure the protection of refugees and those seeking asylum, including children.
The programme aims to realise the rights and best interests of separated children who have come to, or through Europe, by establishing a shared policy and commitment to best practice at national and European levels. As par t of this process the programme has an ongoing commitment to developing partnerships with organisations working with separated children in European countries
The Statement of Good Practice aims to provide a clear and simple overview of the principles, policies and practices required to implement measures that will ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of separated children in Europe. It reflects the experience and practice of the SCEP’s specialist Network of Non-Governmental Partners. The Statement of Good Practice is principally informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and two other documents: the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment Number 6 on the Treatment of Unaccompanied and Separated Children Outside Their Country of Origin, 2005, here referred to as General Comment No 6 and UNHCR’s Guidelines on Policies and Procedures in dealing with Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum, 1997, here referred to as the UNHCR Guidelines. Whilst the latter document has impacted significantly on the Statement of Good Practice it is important to affirm that the Statement of Good Practice is relevant to all separated children and not just those who are seeking asylum. For further information on this and other SCEP initiatives, please visit http://www.scepnetwork.org
This resource is part of the collection "Child-friendly spaces: Good practices". Collections are monitored daily and new content is added.