Protocol To Reach-Out

The main objective of this protocol
is to set standard and provide a

common framework for the
conduct of reach out to street
children.
Specifically:
To have a common understanding of

definitions and terminologies.
To provide a guide for conducting/initiating

reach out activities.
To establish referral system for the conduct

of reach out.
To set rules for the right behavior in the

conduct of reach out to street children.
To provide an effective and efficient system
for redress of violations of rights by those
conducting reach out operations that are
accessible to street children.
To define and delineate roles between and

among agencies involved in the conduct of
reach out.
Protocol is a legally binding or otherwise
authoritative document that provides directions for
the actions of a group or groups so that all can
work together for the benefit of the whole. (Source:
WHO/ISPCAN Intersectional Approach to Child Maltreatment)
Street children refers to children who stay most of

the time on the streets and in public places and are
engaged, while in the streets, in varied types of
activities other than engaging in economic
activities to earn (2006 National Survey on CNSP/ UNICEF-UP Manila-CPU).
o Children on the Street
o Children of the Street
Reach Out this is the process by which the street
child/ren is/are physically taken away from the
streets and hazardous environment to protect him/
her/ them from further harm or abuse and are
brought to a diagnostic and assessment center for
further assessment and case management.
Social preparation it is a process by which the

childs situation and needs are assessed including
his familys living condition and capacities.
Diagnostic and Assessment Center a place where the reached
out street children are brought to after reach out for initial
assessment of his/her situation and proper disposition of the
case. The reached out street child/ren shall stay at the center
for at least 72 hours under normal circumstances except for
some valid reasons that the child/ren has to stay longer. This
could be managed by DSWD Field Offices, City/Municipal
Social Welfare Offices and Registered, Licensed and/ or
Accredited Social Welfare and Development Agencies
(SWDAs).
Child Care and Recovery Centers refers to residential facilities

which provide 24-hour child care and recovery services. This
is where reached out child/ren from the diagnostic and
assessment center shall stay (if seen necessary) while working
out on his/her case. This could be run by DSWD Field Offices,
LGUs and Registered, Licensed and/or Accredited Social
Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs).
C/MSWDO
C/MHO
Law Enforcement Officers (PNP/LGU/Barangay
Peace and Order Unit)
MMDA
LCPC/ BCPC
DSWD
DILG
NGO, FBO, PO
The following circumstances will merit the conduct of
reach out operations:
i. If the child is seen begging, selling or loitering in

major thoroughfares or highways;
ii. If the child is under the influence of solvents or other

illegal substances;
iii. If the child adopts the streets, parks, markets,

premises of malls or establishments or any public
places as their home in this situation, the LGU shall
conduct social preparation first before the actual reach
out operation.
C/MSWDO*
LEO (PNP, Peace and Order Officers of the LGUs/Barangay)
MMDA or its counterpart in the area
LCPC/BCPC
NGOs, FBOs and POs as identified
* DSWD Social Worker shall intervene/ take the lead role, in case, there is no available
City/ Municipal Social Worker at the time of reach out)
Reached out team briefed
PRE-REACH Pre-determined and ready

diagnostic and assessment centers
OUT
PREPARATIONS Prepared logistics
Tasks/ roles of each member

defined
Easily readable ID worn by team
Every child reached out is taken

into custody by a Registered Social
Worker
DURING
Reach out operation done anytime
of the day or night
REACH OUT
Children are separated from adults
No destruction or confiscation of
personal belongings of persons
reached out
Child endorsed to diagnostic and

assessment center for processing
CHILD
Oriented on care and

procedures in facility
Family/relatives of child contacted
Child either reunified with family or
AFTER referred for temporary shelter
Case continuously managed and
REACH OUT monitored
REACH OUT TEAM
Team debriefed
Post evaluation done
a. Composition
The Mayor or his/ her duly designated representative as the
Chairperson
City/ Municipal Administrator
Head, Social Welfare and Development Office
Chief, Women and Children Protection Desk
Head, Personnel Department of the Local Government Unit
Representative of NGO catering to children sector
(previously identified and not a member of the reach out
team)
City/ Municipal Legal Officer
b. Function
To assess, validate and investigate child

rights violations that happened during reach
out operation.
To come up with an agreement on how to

address the issues and concerns raised.
To provide recommendation for appropriate

action or further legal sanction based on
existing administrative laws and civil service
circulars.
c. Procedures
Who can complain?
The victim, parent/s or relatives of the victims until 4th degree of

consanguinity, guardian or two (2) concerned citizens who have
witnessed or have personal knowledge about the alleged violation of
childs rights may file a complaint against the alleged violators.
Where to file complaint?
Complaint/s against the alleged violators shall be filed directly with the
Grievance Committee.
How to file complaint?
Complainant/s may file in writing their complaint/s under oath within 72

hours upon commission of alleged violation/s. If the complainant is a
minor, he/she should be assisted by his/ her parent/s, relatives,
guardian or a Registered Social Worker all throughout the process.
Sanctions for the Violators of Child Rights
Sanction/s to any violation/s may vary depending on the

gravity of the offense as assessed/ investigated/
recommended by the Committee based on existing laws,
issuances, Executive Orders, Administrative Orders, Civil
Service Commission Circulars, etc. Due process of law shall
be strictly observed.
Unresolved issues under the Grievance Committee shall be

elevated elevated to the Regional Sub-Committee for the
Welfare of Children (RSCWC).
National Agencies
Council for the Welfare of Children
CWC shall take the lead in coordination and monitoring the

implementation of this protocol to ensure proper handling
and conduct of reach out operation.
Advocate the implementation of this protocol to the

concerned agencies nationwide.
Collect semestral report of the implementation of this

protocol from RSCWCs and maintain a database of street
children who have been reached out.
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Provide further technical assistance and capacity building to LGUs/ NGOs and
other stakeholders implementing programs and services for street children.
Conduct an inventory and provide list of available/ appropriate centers where the
reached out children will be temporarily placed out.
Further adopt this protocol and issue an Administrative Order for a wider coverage
especially of those agencies that apply for accreditation for further monitoring.
Register/ license/ accredit facilities catering to street children and monitor their
compliance to Social Welfare Standards.
Coordinate with DSWD Field Offices for those clients that will be placed in other
areas and provide augmentation services to LGUs when necessary i.e Social Worker
at the Field Office to conduct reach out in case there is no available City/
Municipal Social Worker.
Coordinate and network with other agencies/ NGOs for support services
needed by the C/MSWDO.
Department of the Interior and Local Government
Issue memorandum circular for the adoption and

implementation of the protocol by the Local
Government Units and to task the City/ Municipal
Social Welfare and Development Office to monitor
the same.
Provide assistance to the LGUs in organizing the

Barangay Council for the Protection of Children
(BCPC) and making them functional.
Department of Health
Adopt this protocol and execute a memorandum circular to its

various offices and health facilities to further the implementation of
this protocol.
In cooperation with the DSWD and through the Philippine Health

Insurance Corporation, devise ways and mechanisms of ensuring
that the children are included and covered by the National Health
Insurance Program.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
Identify location of the street children and their convergence areas.
Refer street children to the different activity centers available in the

area.
Provide logistics and other assistance in the conduct of reach out.

Sub - National Structure
Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children

(RSCWC)
Monitor and collect semestral report from Cities and

Municipalities under their area of jurisdiction on the status of
implementation of this protocol and submit such to CWC for
monitoring and data banking purposes.
Discuss issues and concerns raised by the Grievance

Committee and provide action and/or recommendations.
Local Government Agencies
Office of the Mayor
Ensure the creation and functionality of the grievance

committee within their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Provide funds/ other logistical necessities for the successful

conduct of reach out and other concerns of children such as
street children.
City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office
Take the lead in planning and implementing the programs

and services for the street children including the conduct of
reach out.
Ensure availability of appropriate facilities where the reached

out children will be brought.
Map street children and their place of origin.
Maintain a database of reached street children.
Develop programs and services that correspond to the needs of the street
children and their families.
Act as the lead in the conduct of reach out.
Ensure proper documentation of the cases of the children.
Organize the BCPC and make them functional.
Open communication between and among LGUs for referral to facilitate

parental assessment or assessment of relatives, return of the child to his/
her place of origin, after-care services for the children who have been
returned to their families/ relatives, and other needs as needed.
Provide the RSCWC with semestral report on the status of implementation of

this protocol in their respective area of jurisdiction. (See annex A: Reporting
and Monitoring Matrix for the Reached Out Street Children).
Law Enforcement Agencies( PNP/Peace and Order Units of
LGUs/Barangays (As deployed in a particular City/
Municipality)
Assist the Social Worker during the conduct of reach out and provide the
safety and security of the reached out children and the people involved in the
operation.
NGOs/ Faith-based Groups and Other Stakeholders
Assist in the promotion, implementation and monitoring of this protocol in

their area of jurisdiction.
Assist/ participate in the conduct of reach out operations.

Assist in facilitating where the child will be sheltered in case he/she has been
determined to be without any family or had been abandoned or neglected or
displaced by his/ her family.
Assist in facilitating parental assessment or assessment of relatives, return of
the child to his/ her place of origin, after-care services for the children who
have been returned to their families/ relatives, and other needs as needed.
City/ Municipal Health Office
To provide medical advice/ intervention to reached out
children when necessary.
Barangay Council for the Protection of Children
BCPC should be functional in all barangays to aid the

children and their families address concerns such as
abuse, protection, and alternative services to avoid further
exposing children to harm.
Develop programs and services aimed at preventing

minors in their respective barangays from becoming a
street child/ ren.
Report incidence of street children to the nearest

C/MSWDO.
Thank you!

Protocol To Reach-Out

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What is the purpose of establishing a common protocol for conducting outreach to street children?

What is the purpose of establishing a common protocol for conducting outreach to street children?

What are some of the roles and responsibilities of different agencies in implementing the protocol?

What are some of the roles and responsibilities of different agencies in implementing the protocol?

The main objective of this protocol

is to set standard and provide a

To have a common understanding of

To provide a guide for conducting/initiating

To establish referral system for the conduct

To set rules for the right behavior in the

To define and delineate roles between and

Street children refers to children who stay most of

Social preparation it is a process by which the

Child Care and Recovery Centers refers to residential facilities

i. If the child is seen begging, selling or loitering in

ii. If the child is under the influence of solvents or other

iii. If the child adopts the streets, parks, markets,

LEO (PNP, Peace and Order Officers of the LGUs/Barangay)

MMDA or its counterpart in the area

NGOs, FBOs and POs as identified

PRE-REACH Pre-determined and ready

Tasks/ roles of each member

Easily readable ID worn by team

Every child reached out is taken

Child endorsed to diagnostic and

Oriented on care and

REACH OUT TEAM

To assess, validate and investigate child

To come up with an agreement on how to

To provide recommendation for appropriate

Who can complain?

The victim, parent/s or relatives of the victims until 4th degree of

Where to file complaint?

How to file complaint?

Complainant/s may file in writing their complaint/s under oath within 72

Sanction/s to any violation/s may vary depending on the

Unresolved issues under the Grievance Committee shall be

CWC shall take the lead in coordination and monitoring the

Advocate the implementation of this protocol to the

Collect semestral report of the implementation of this

Issue memorandum circular for the adoption and

Provide assistance to the LGUs in organizing the

Adopt this protocol and execute a memorandum circular to its

In cooperation with the DSWD and through the Philippine Health

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

Identify location of the street children and their convergence areas.

Refer street children to the different activity centers available in the

Provide logistics and other assistance in the conduct of reach out.

Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children

Monitor and collect semestral report from Cities and

Discuss issues and concerns raised by the Grievance

Office of the Mayor

Ensure the creation and functionality of the grievance

Provide funds/ other logistical necessities for the successful

City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office

Take the lead in planning and implementing the programs

Ensure availability of appropriate facilities where the reached

Maintain a database of reached street children.