Children on the move constitute a significant portion of the migrant and refugee population, undertaking journeys for various reasons such as escaping persecution, war, and violence, reuniting with family members abroad, or pursuing improved economic and educational prospects. Globally, one in every eight migrants is a child, making their protection a paramount concern.

Throughout the migration process, migrant children face a disproportionately high risk of experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and detention. Safeguarding these children from such threats is an urgent priority for humanitarian workers. This necessitates a comprehensive skill set and technical expertise, along with the promotion of migration policies and programs that prioritize the well-being of children. Alternatives to detaining migrant children and facilitating their access to protective and assistance services tailored to their specific needs, irrespective of their migratory status, are crucial.

This 5-days course aims to provide basics and key child protection concepts and skills relevant to practitioners or project managers working in humanitarian settings, it lays the foundation for child protection advanced training.

Who is this course for?
This training is designed for professionals who:
• Are Currently work or are planning to work in humanitarian contexts and/or within the realms of child protection and migration, assuming roles as advisers, coordinators, or managers.
• Seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of crucial concepts, policies, and approaches related to children on the move and the challenges associated with their protection.
• Desire to acquire evidence-based research skills and tools for analyzing child protective systems, as well as promoting preventive actions.

Course content and aim
• The course content builds upon fundamental child protection concepts and skills relevant to humanitarian settings. As child protection practitioners require ongoing learning and development, this training aspires to serve as a reference point for comprehending child protection and mobility including forced migration and displacement.

Designed for participants with an intermediate level of expertise, this course presumes a firm understanding of fundamental child protection concepts. Whether engaged in the child protection sector or working in related fields at the intersection of child protection, participants should possess a solid foundation in basic child protection knowledge.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand “children on the move,” identifying subgroups and challenges in counting, with a focus on vulnerable groups lacking data.
• Advocate for policies protecting the rights of migrating children.
• Stress the importance of child-sensitive research for better protection, covering migration journeys, decision-making, and exploring durable solutions.
• Discuss strategies for advocating the child’s best interests, ending immigration detention, ensuring access to services, and promoting sustainable solutions.
• Evaluate child protection practices, identifying improvements, addressing gaps, and adapting systems for mobility and reintegration.
• Explore the link between Children on the Move and Climate Change, considering nuances and preventive actions.

This course offers evidence-based insights into the impact of crises-induced high mobility on children’s well-being and development. It analyzes interventions supporting affected children and encourages critical reflection on enhancing current interventions.

Methodology
The training will be in presence and delivered in 5 days. It will use interactive methodologies and multimedia tools, it will provide theories but also opportunities to practice through and discuss through group work sessions, case studies and role plays. The participants will be provided with a learning package at the end of the course and pre-lecture readings.
At the end of the training participants that have successfully completed the course will be ensured a digital badge through the international platform HPASS.