Individually

We work directly with children and young people throughout the deinstitutionalisation process: from family tracing to preparing children to move from institutions to family life, to supporting them in their new homes. It is critical that children and young people are included in decision-making about all aspects of their lives, from choosing their own clothes to sharing opinions about their care. We provide training and support on child-centered practice to professionals and those providing care. 

For children and young people with disabilities, we use a range of methods such as intensive interaction therapy and communication passports, which help in fostering communication and decision-making.

Involving Children and Young People in the Deinstitutionalisation (DI) Process

Children and young people can and should be involved throughout the DI process. In our demonstration programmes we have supported children and young people's contributions to:

• Designing new services
• Recruitment and redeployment of staff
• Monitoring and evaluating new services
• Local and national advocacy
• Advising policymakers
• Training professionals and policymakers.

Involving Children and Young People in Our Work

Youth participation is a crucial part of our work. We are committed to actively listening to and working in partnership with children and young people to achieve our goal of ending deinstitutionalisation. Lumos-supported self-advocates are instrumental to our advocacy work and campaigns at the local, national and international levels. Young people have an important and increasing role in our training, research, monitoring and evaluation. They also amplify their ideas by producing films that we share with a global audience.