SOS Namibia recognizes the need for a comprehensive child-care reform agenda to address the challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people in the country. Alternative care ensure that each child and young person grows up with the bonds they need to become their strongest selves through the Family-Like Care service. Family-like care creates a safe, stable and supportive family-like environment, where qualified caregivers offer the children and young people in their care a reliable and trusting relationship and the possibility to build safe and continuous attachment.

SOS Namibia plans to establish and strengthen other forms of alternative care, including recruitment of foster carers, provision of short-term care in Family-Like Care service, and supervised independent living for the youth.

Key factors for consideration in alternative care

  • Apply the principles of necessity and suitability to determine whether alternative care is in a child’s or young person’s best interests.
  • Enhance gatekeeping mechanisms.
  • Employ child and youth participation
  • Remove any institutional features from all forms of alternative care
  • Integrate AC into FS intervention and implement community based alternative care

We promote and are guided by the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children to which we made key contributions in the development process. In line with the guidelines, we draw on our wealth of experience to provide and support a range of alternative care settings, because different children, different cultures, and different situations call for different care options.  

Pillars of SOS Family Care: 

  • We provide care and education to equip each child to face life’s challenges in the future. 

  • We nurture a secure, loving and reliable relationship between the child and their parent or a primary caregiver. 

  • We work with community partners to develop strong social support systems for children and families to develop, grow and learn in a positive, supportive environment. 

  • We aim to provide the most appropriate care for each individual child. 

We stand firmly with children and young people.

The most vulnerable members of society, especially those facing the greatest challenges, need a strong ally—one that is unconditional, passionate, and brave. We are dedicated to supporting young people in Namibia who cannot live with their parents due to deep-rooted inequalities. By offering enhanced training opportunities after their compulsory education, we strive to ensure that every young person has equal rights and access to a brighter future, no matter their background.