Re-integration of institutionalised children into society: a case study of Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study examined the successes and challenges that Zimbabwe has experienced in process of reintegration of institutionalized children into society. The study was informed by the mixed methods research design. The sample comprised of nine randomly selected children's homes out of a total of seventy two registered children's homes in the country. Considerable progress has been made towards achieving the goal of reintegration. The study established that a National child Care Standards document has been drafted by the Ministry of Labour and Social services to facilitate the process of reintegration ,while most institutions have built family type structures to replace the dormitory set up that existed before. Support systems to enhance the process of reintegration have been put in place as evidenced by organs such the National Action Plan housed under the Ministry of Labour and Social Services. The main challenges identified by the study were inadequate financial resources to carry a full scale reintegration process and the difficulties experienced in identifying institutionalized children's familial origins. The study recommends that government avails more funds through the department of social services to enhance the reintegration process.