Three major new papers published in the Lancet with Lumos’ support have shed light on the situation of children living in institutions globally.

Combined, this new research makes a compelling case for care reform. It is clearer than ever that growing up in an institution can lead to harms across multiple aspects of child development, affecting physical growth, learning, attention and socio-emotional development. 

It is also clear that institutionalisation of children remains a global problem – with a median estimate of 5.4million children living in institutions worldwide – but a hidden one, as so many of them currently go uncounted.

This briefing summarises the main lessons learned from the three papers and what needs to be done next at global, national and local levels to support vulnerable children and families and tackle the problem of institutionalisation globally, including in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.