A/RES/64/142
109. Comprehensive and up-to-date records should be maintained regarding the
administration of alternative care services, including detailed files on all children in
their care, staff employed and financial transactions.
110. The records on children in care should be complete, up to date, confidential
and secure, and should include information on their admission and departure and the
form, content and details of the care placement of each child, together with any
appropriate identity documents and other personal information. Information on the
child’s family should be included in the child’s file as well as in the reports based on
regular evaluations. This record should follow the child throughout the alternative
care period and be consulted by duly authorized professionals responsible for
his/her current care.
111. The above-mentioned records could be made available to the child, as well as
to the parents or guardians, within the limits of the child’s right to privacy and
confidentiality, as appropriate. Appropriate counselling should be provided before,
during and after consultation of the record.
112. All alternative care services should have a clear policy on maintaining the
confidentiality of information pertaining to each child, which all carers are aware of
and adhere to.
113. As a matter of good practice, all agencies and facilities should systematically
ensure that, prior to employment, carers and other staff in direct contact with
children undergo an appropriate and comprehensive assessment of their suitability
to work with children.
114. Conditions of work, including remuneration, for carers employed by agencies
and facilities should be such as to maximize motivation, job satisfaction and
continuity, and hence their disposition to fulfil their role in the most appropriate and
effective manner.
115. Training should be provided to all carers on the rights of children without
parental care and on the specific vulnerability of children, in particularly difficult
situations, such as emergency placements or placements outside their area of
habitual residence. Cultural, social, gender and religious sensitization should also be
assured. States should also provide adequate resources and channels for the
recognition of these professionals in order to favour the implementation of these
provisions.
116. Training in dealing appropriately with challenging behaviour, including
conflict resolution techniques and means to prevent acts of harm or self-harm,
should be provided to all care staff employed by agencies and facilities.
117. Agencies and facilities should ensure that, wherever appropriate, carers are
prepared to respond to children with special needs, notably those living with
HIV/AIDS or other chronic physical or mental illnesses, and children with physical
or mental disabilities.
2.
Foster care
118. The competent authority or agency should devise a system, and should train
concerned staff accordingly, to assess and match the needs of the child with the
abilities and resources of potential foster carers and to prepare all concerned for the
placement.
17