Child-sensitive Social Protection In Emergencies Training Course

Introduction

In the face of escalating humanitarian crises and complex emergencies, ensuring the robust and tailored protection of the most vulnerable – children – requires a paradigm shift towards Child-Sensitive Social Protection in Emergencies. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip humanitarian actors, social protection practitioners, government officials, and child protection specialists with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to design, adapt, and implement social protection programs that effectively safeguard and support children in crisis-affected contexts. Participants will gain a robust understanding of child vulnerabilities, humanitarian principles, rapid needs assessment, integrated programming (cash-plus), and accountability mechanisms, enabling them to deliver timely and impactful assistance. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic humanitarian landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and the wider East African region, empowering you to put children first in crisis response.

This humanitarian social protection for children course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya and across Africa striving to strengthen their capacity to protect children from the devastating impacts of displacement, conflict, natural disasters, and health emergencies. Mastering child-focused social safety nets, implementing shock-responsive programs for families with children, and understanding integrated child protection and social assistance are indispensable for addressing immediate needs, preventing long-term harm, and fostering resilience among the youngest populations. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in crisis-responsive child protection and rights-based humanitarian action, positioning your organization at the forefront of compassionate and effective emergency response and safeguarding the future of the region.

Target Audience

• Humanitarian Aid Workers & Coordinators
• Child Protection Specialists
• Social Protection Program Managers
• Government Officials (Social Affairs, Disaster Management, Child Services)
• NGO Field Staff
• UN Agency Personnel (UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP)
• Researchers in Humanitarian & Child Policy

Course Objectives

• Understand the core concepts of child-sensitive social protection and its relevance in emergencies.
• Identify the specific vulnerabilities and protection risks faced by children in humanitarian contexts.
• Learn to conduct rapid needs assessments with a strong child protection lens during crises.
• Master principles for adapting existing social protection programs to be shock-responsive and child-sensitive.
• Develop proficiency in designing and delivering child-focused cash transfers and other assistance.
• Explore "cash plus" programming that links social protection to vital child-focused services.
• Understand coordination mechanisms between social protection, child protection, and humanitarian sectors.
• Learn to integrate child safeguarding principles throughout all stages of emergency response.
• Identify legal and policy frameworks supporting child protection in humanitarian action.
• Develop strategies for monitoring, evaluating, and learning from child-sensitive interventions.
• Explore innovative approaches and digital tools for reaching vulnerable children.
• Drive enhanced protection, well-being, and resilience outcomes for children in emergencies.
• Position yourself as a key advocate for prioritizing children in all crisis response efforts.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Child-Sensitive Social Protection in Emergencies

• Defining child-sensitive social protection: principles and objectives
• The unique vulnerabilities of children in emergencies (conflict, displacement, disasters, epidemics)
• Key child protection risks in humanitarian contexts (GBV, exploitation, separation, early marriage)
• Overview of social protection instruments relevant to emergencies
• The humanitarian-development-peace nexus and its implications for children

Module 2: Assessing Child Needs and Vulnerabilities in Crisis

• Rapid needs assessment (RNA) methodologies with a child-focused lens
• Collecting child-disaggregated data in emergency settings
• Identifying vulnerable child groups (unaccompanied minors, children with disabilities, adolescent girls)
• Understanding the impact of shocks on children's well-being (health, nutrition, education, mental health)
• Participatory approaches for assessing children's perspectives

Module 3: Adapting Social Protection for Shock Response

• Principles of shock-responsive social protection and how they apply to children
• Horizontal and vertical expansion of social assistance programs during crises
• Trigger mechanisms for activating child-focused emergency responses
• Linking early warning systems to social protection delivery for children
• Case studies of program adaptation in response to specific crises

Module 4: Designing Child-Focused Cash Transfers and Assistance

• Rationale for cash transfers for children and families in emergencies
• Designing cash transfer values and frequencies based on child needs
• Targeting mechanisms for households with vulnerable children
• Modality choice and safe delivery of cash (digital payments, mobile money)
• Ensuring privacy and security in cash transfers to children and families

Module 5: "Cash Plus" Programming for Holistic Child Outcomes

• What is "cash plus" for children? Linking cash with essential child services
• Integration with health, nutrition, education, and child protection services
• Referral pathways and cross-sectoral coordination for service access
• Designing conditionalities (if any) that genuinely benefit children and are feasible
• Maximizing the protective impact of cash transfers on children

Module 6: Child Safeguarding and Accountability in Response

• Principles of child safeguarding in all social protection and humanitarian programming
• Preventing and responding to abuse, exploitation, and neglect
• Establishing safe and accessible complaint and feedback mechanisms for children and caregivers
• Data protection and privacy for sensitive child data
• Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) with a child lens

Module 7: Coordination, Governance, and Future Directions

• Effective coordination between social protection, child protection, and humanitarian clusters
• Strengthening government leadership and capacity for child-sensitive response
• Financing mechanisms for child-focused humanitarian social protection
• Lessons learned from past crises in East Africa and globally
• Emerging innovations and technologies for reaching vulnerable children

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.