iacnsecretariat@iacn.in
About IACN
Established in 2019, the India Alternative Care Network (IACN) is a growing collective dedicated to strengthening care and protection systems for children without parental care or those at risk of separation. Bringing together practitioners, researchers, academicians, policymakers, andĀ organisationsĀ from across the country, IACN serves as a platform for learning, collaboration, and action to promote family strengthening and family-based alternative care.
Through knowledge sharing, capacity building, research, and advocacy, IACN works towards creating care solutions that place childrenās rights, well-being, and dignity at theĀ centre. The network strives to influence policies and practices that enable children to grow up in safe, nurturing, and supportive family environments.
The IACN SecretariatĀ is supported by UNICEF India and hosted by Butterflies, New Delhi. Guided by a diverse Steering Committee with rich experience inĀ childcareĀ and protection, IACN continues to build a stronger ecosystem for children across different contexts and care settings.
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Working Group 1 ā Family Strengthening and Community Gatekeeping
family-based care and preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families. The group works to strengthen community support systems, encourage effective gatekeeping practices, and improve policies and programmes that ensure children grow up in safe and nurturing family environments. Through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and advocacy, the group supports stronger child protection systems and better outcomes for children and families.
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Working Group 2 ā Non-Institutional Care (Foster Care and Kinship Care)
focuses on promoting family-based alternative care for children without parental care or at risk of separation. The group works to strengthen foster care, kinship care, and other non-institutional care practices through collaboration, advocacy, research, and knowledge sharing, ensuring that children grow up in safe, nurturing, and family-like environments.
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Working Group 3 ā Transitioning Away from Institutional Care
focuses on promoting family-based and non-residential care alternatives for children. The group works to support the transition from institutional care models towards family and community-based care systems through advocacy, collaboration, research, and capacity building, ensuring better care and protection outcomes for children.
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Working Group 4 ā Strengthening After Care
focuses on supporting young people transitioning out of institutional care into independent living. The group works to strengthen aftercare systems through research, advocacy, collaboration, and capacity building, ensuring that care-experienced youth receive the support, skills, and opportunities needed for successful reintegration into society.
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