A better future is possible

Mission Report
Mission Report
TRAINING & WORSHOPS– 18-25 May 2015
Children « Beyond
Control » living in
institution
&
Children with
disabilities without
parental care
« A better future is
possible »
A project for them
in Mauritius
International Social Service (ISS)
and
The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child
Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)
in collaboration
with Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare
BACKGROUND
The needs assessment mission carried out from 28 October to 4 November 2014 in partnership
with ANPPCAN Mauritius enabled ISS to identify the main protection needs and challenges
concerning children with disabilities in institution. ISS met child protection key stakeholders and
jointly defined the plan of action for the project implementation.
Two main sources of concerns have been highlighted during this first needs assessment:
1) Staff in institution caring for children with disabilities benefit from few trainings on the
care of disabled children, moreover very few alternative care options are available for
them outside institutions.
2) The specific issue of children arbitrarily considered as children “beyond control” and
placed in Rehabilitation Youth Centre (RYC) (a closed institution).
This classification includes various situation of children who are mostly victims rather
than offenders. Most of the children are placed by their parents in RYC or Probation
Home further to the adults’ difficulties to handle complex family situations (stepfamilies,
addiction, mixed religious couple, teenager’s issues, etc.). Based on our observations,
there is a general lack of psychosocial support and counselling in Mauritius in order to
prevent family breakdown and family separation.
Furthermore, the notion “beyond control” is not recognised by international standards.
However, this reality in Mauritius led ISS to integrate those children said with
behavioural troubles into the project. The final aim is to promote their right to benefit
from adapted care and live in a family setting.
From the beginning ANPPCAN managed to involve and enlist the commitment and support from
the two competent ministries: the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family
Welfare and the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Institutional Reforms. Both
ministries have identified the team of future trainers for the project within their staff.
Moreover, they have co-organised with ISS and ANPPCAN the official opening of the project on
May 18th (*see model of invitation card in annex 1) as well as, the whole week of training and
round tables.
Many representatives of civil society and high level professionals attended the opening such as
Mrs Rookmeenee Narainamah NARAYEN, Ombudsperson for the rights of the child in Mauritius
and M. YEUNG SIK YUEN, member of Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in
Geneva.
The Minister of Gender Equality, Mrs Marie-Aurore Marie-Joyce Perraud in her speech
underlined that this project is relevant to support the professionals in charge of children with
disabilities including children considered as beyond control. « I believe in mind-set changes
instead of hasty categorisation of the children as beyond control. Our two ministries share the
same concerns to improve the well-being of these children (…) I ask each participant to fully
engage in the workshops and training”.
Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, Minister of Social Security has reminded the audience that
working with children in difficulty is a challenge and the needs in term of staff training and
capacity building are real “our mission is to empower those children and not use repressive
measures. We have to develop programs to ensure children’s well-being and harmonious
growth”.
1
MAIN OBJECTIVES
The following are the main objectives of this mission:
*see agenda of the mission in annex 2
1) Train and prepare the group of 6 trainers identified by the ministries for the
dissemination of the training in the 21 residential care institutions (named shelters in
Mauritius and hereinafter), 2 Rehabilitation Youth Centres (RYC) and the Probation
Service, Home and Hostel.
The 6 trainers attended the whole sessions and specific sessions were dedicated to them.
2) Raise awareness of representatives from shelters and RYC (present at the workshops)
on the main topics which will be developed by the team of trainers in each facility: care
of children in institution, handicap and behavioural troubles, teenagers issues, psychosocial evaluation of the child, the use of the Lifebook.
2.5 days
3) Organise 3 round tables with professionals from various backgrounds involved in the
Protection of children with disabilities and children considered as “Beyond Control”:
medical and paramedics’ professionals (psychiatrist, psychologists, therapist and
medical doctors), social workers and magistrates.
½ day for each round table
4) Provide a first technical assistance to the ministry of Gender Equality to embark and set
up a foster care program dedicated to children with disabilities and children said
“beyond control”
2 days
STAKEHOLDERS
Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare
-
Hon. (Mrs) Marie-Aurore Marie-Joyce Perraud, Minister of Gender Equality, Child
Development and Family Welfare
Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions
-
Hon. (Mrs) Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and
Reform Institutions
Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
-
Dr. Deenoo- Psychiatrist at Brown Sequard Hospital
The Judiciary
-
Honourable Master and Registrar Mr. Nicolas Bellepeau.
The Lions Club of District 403 B2
-
Governor Georges Leung Shing
2
Mauritian national team of trainers
-
Mr. Aveenash Appadoo, Coordinator, Child Development Unit,
Ministry of Gender Equality
Mrs. Anushkya Bunsy Gobin, Family Welfare and Protection Officer, Child Development
Unit, Ministry of Gender Equality
Mrs. Mouksinah Nujeebhun, Family Welfare and Protection Officer, Child Development
Unit, Ministry of Gender Equality
Mr. Jaypall Boodhoo, National Children Council
Mrs. Cristine Rousselin, Officer, RYC for girls, Ministry of Social Security
Mrs. K.V. Bundhoo, Probation Officer, Probation Home for Girls Ministry of Social
Security
ISS and ANPCANN team
-
Marie JENNY – ISS General Secretariat (GS), Program coordinator
Seema PANNAIKADAVIL-THOMAS – ISS GS, Network Development coordinator
Fanny Cohen – ISS GS, Child Psychiatrist Advisor
Sylvie Lapointe – ISS Canada, Expert in Social Work / Director of Services ISS Canada
Jennifer Cousins –Specialist in Fostering, Adoption and Children’s Disability
Marie-Josée Baudot – ANPPCAN Mauritius, Director
Muriel Ancrasamy – ANPPCAN, Officer Half Way Home
TRAINING OF TRAINERS
The 6 identified Mauritian trainers have attended the whole training proposed by ISS and two
specific sessions dedicated to them: one at the beginning of the mission and one at the end.
ISS and ANPPCAN informed them on the project and their future responsibilities, to this end all
the training materials have been handed over. Furthermore, schedule and plan of action have
been jointly agreed upon.
These meetings have been essential to start building a team spirit between the national
trainers, ISS and ANPPCAN: a key factor to achieve the objectives of the project.
Role of Mauritian trainers:
 Train staff within 21 shelters ( 16 private and 5 public)
 Train staff in 2 RYC (*see geographic distribution of the 23
facilities in annex 3)
 Train staff of probation service, probation home and
hostel
 2 Follow-up visits in each centre ensuring the
achievements of proposed indicators
(*see follow-up indicators in annex 4)
Briefing session on Monday 18th May with
the team of trainers and ISS’ program
coordinator
3
AWARENESS RAISING 18-19-20 MAY 2015
First session with institutions staff
For each partner country, the training mission aims at training a group of national trainers
during a pilot training on site with the staff of one pilot institution. Although the training is
adapted in each context regarding the needs and issues of the country it is always proposed on
a 2.5 days model.
In Mauritius, for logistical reasons, ISS could not lead the training within one pilot shelter and
thus could not work with its multidisciplinary team. The training took place in a conference
room at the Gold Crest Hotel. The Ministry of Gender Equality proposed to invite 2
representatives per shelters (8), per RYC (2) and per Probation Home (1). In addition,
professionals from civil society attended the different sessions.
This setting and organisation could not offer the possibility to carry out practical exercises like
observation of the child, however it presented other advantages:
 staff from different institutions could share their own experience and practices which
enriched the debates and raised various challenges encountered in their daily work.
 more institutions are sensitised and prepared for the future training within their
facilities by the trainers in the following months.
Different topics have been addressed such as:
 representation of disability, behavioural and psychological troubles;
 basic needs of the children and teenagers;
 regular evaluation of the child and the importance of the multidisciplinary approach to
assess the situation of every child;
 use of the Lifebook;
 Recommendations to care for children with disabilities and children “beyond control”.
For example, Dr Fanny Cohen worked with the participants on the concept of disability and
behavioural disorders.
Disability is according to her a “many-faceted notion, which requires many intervention area.
Forgetting one of them such as social, psychological or medical would be reductive or even
counterproductive”.
When addressing the issue of children said to be « beyond control », she stressed the fact that
this classification does not exist in any child psychiatry manual and is a unique notion used in
legal framework and practice in Mauritius.
She highlighted the various reasons which can lead to behavioural troubles and insisted on the
fact that those troubles should always be examined in a comprehensive way, mainly at the light
of the family context.
4
5
Feedback of the training from Sylvie Lapointe, ISS Canada, expert in social work.
•My first observation had to be shock. When I asked the professionals what information was
currently being kept in the file, one agency (RYC) responded that some children came to them
with barely their name and date of birth. However, always available, was the court document
saying how the child had arrived to be sentenced at RYC. I would encourage that files on all
children that are currently in State care, be better managed and be completed in a professional
matter that would be beneficial to the youth and his plan of care and beneficial to all
professionals who every day are responsible for the wellbeing, education and health of these
youth.
•My second observation was the lack of communication between the agencies. Shelters, RYC,
Probation Home and Half way Home officers had often met with the same youth and their
family and yet, the information was not shared from one institution to the other. I would
strongly encourage a system that includes a better communication between facilities and file
transfers that include a meeting. A file transfer is not only physical (of passing over a file) but a
transfer of knowledge on an updated situation of the child that represents and involves all
parties involved.
•My final observation was the passion and commitment that the professionals I was working
with had for the children and the future of Mauritius. All in attendance wanted to work better
together, learn and empower one another towards change. Most of the workers were
overworked, did not have enough resource (one RYC officer shared that she had no office-every
day, she just sat at a simple table and chair to talk to the girls she was responsible for. She had
no room to store files and was not expected to keep a file on all of the work she was doing).
Lifebook
During the training ISS presented the Lifebook which will be provided to every child in shelters.
Many questions were raised by the audience which nourished a lively discussion on the use of
the Lifebook and benefits for the life of the child.
Staff from RYC for girls was very interested and expressed the needs of the girls placed in RYC
(between 10 and 18 years old) for such a tool as RYC children have very few means to express
themselves. As a result, it has been decided that children/teenagers from RYC would also get
one Lifebook.
Evaluation of the trainings
Participant shared their general appreciation and satisfaction by giving an average mark of 8.2
out of ten. Below are some of the identified evaluation results:
•
Which recommendations could you implement in your daily work?
The majority of the respondents appreciated the training objective approach with useful case
studies. They particularly retained and would like to develop in their daily work:
- Debriefing session for the staff by external professional, group discussion involving children
with disabilities.
- The multidisciplinary approach when creating the child’s file, the importance of keeping the
files updated, the use of the life book.
- The recommendations and techniques regarding specific care of children by small group, the
care of children victims of violence.
•
What has not been discussed during these three days of training and was missing?
Most of the participants said the training was comprehensive. However, some highlighted the
need to exchange more efficiently information between professionals. A minority requested
more information to care for foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) children, to handle problems
related to children victims of abuses, how to prepare parents prior to the return of the child,
how to handle crisis in the institutions, sexuality of disabled teens, psychology of children and
type of abuses. Interestingly, one participant noted with regret the absence of magistrates at
that particular session as participants had questions for them.
•
What are your additional training needs?
The most common answers were mainly:
- To have more information and training on how to select the most adapted alternative
care measures for each child (institutions, foster care?).
- Best practises for child care in institutions.
- Specific/tailored training for all professionals working with children beyond control.
- How to develop dialogue groups for the staff.
- Professionalization of foster care families.
ROUND TABLES – 21-22
AND 25 MAY 2015 AND MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS
First Round Table: Thursday 21 May
Theme: Pre-Teenagers’ problematic & teenagers placed in institutions.
From normality to pathologic.
Objectives: Raising awareness of medical and paramedical staff working in institutions and
the RYC in link with Mauritius Ministry of health on the care of children and teenagers
considered “Beyond Control” living in RYC.
Participants:
Panellist: Dr Fanny Cohen, Dr Denoo ( Brown Sequard
Hospital) and Mme Emily Duval, psychologist.
Audience: psychologists from shelters, RYC and CDU,
psychiatrists from the Ministry of Health and Quality
of Life, physiotherapist and external psychologists
from civil society, Nurses RYC
Moderator: Marie-Josée Baudot (ANPPCAN Director)
6
Main agreed recommendations:
 Abolish the notion of Child Beyond Control ;
 Promote international classification to enhance statistics, research and exchanges about
psychiatry and pathology in order to improve public health policies ;
 Ongoing training of the medical and paramedical professionals at different levels ;
 Develop Child Psychiatrists vocational stream in Mauritius, non-existent so far. This
speciality is essential to care for psychologically distressed children ;
 Develop the number of psychologists in the shelters to help children to cope with their
difficulties, to establish early diagnosis and adapted care but also to prevent deviant
behaviour ;
 Promote the links between public and private sector by knowledge and practice sharing :
psychologist from private sector could support staff from shelters and RYC which lack
resources ;
 Encourage external debriefing of staff in shelters and RYC’s ;
 Share information on the situation of the child between psychiatrist and psychologist who
know the child by regulating professional secrecy ;
 Develop the psychosocial support to families like parenting skills “ School of Parents” ;
 Police officer should be trained to collect the child’s testimony ;
 Improve the gender balance within police officers in the case of child abuse: more women
officers to listen to girls.
Second round table: Friday 22 May
Theme: Mediation based approach to prevent family breakdown and unnecessarily separation
of the child.
Objectives: Sensitisation and presentation of the mediation based approach as a tool for
professionals working with children and their families.
Participants:
Panellist: Sylvie Lapointe
Audience: social workers from shelters and RYC, Probation officer, Ministry of Social security
Conclusion:
The mediation based approach could be particularly relevant in case of family conflict in
Mauritius when the child, considered as “Beyond Control” by his/her own family for various
reason is placed often unnecessarily in RYC. One of the MBA’s advantages is that this approach
provides to the parties in conflict – and especially to the parents – a common platform and
language. Thus, it offers them the opportunity to coordinate their actions to achieve an agreed
goal, namely the child's well-being. Such an approach supports and empowers parents in their
efforts to find a solution by mutual consent.
7
During this round table, participants have shared their “informal” practices of mediation in their
daily work and have perceived the added-value of the mediation based approach. This would
be a useful tool and easy to implement since it does not require specific diploma in mediation.
Main agreed recommendations:
 Develop a training session around this approach as one way to support professionals in
their work in family conflicts involving children considered as “beyond control” ;
 Set up a neutral platform to promote the use of mediation/counselling between children
and parents as a way to prevent family breakdown and child placement in RYC.
Third round table: Monday 25 May
Theme: the situation of children said to be « beyond control ».
Objectives:
 Awareness raising of Magistrates involved in the placement of children “beyond control”
about the placement of children in RYC.
 Address, debate and brainstorm with magistrates about 4 key issues:
1) Effects of the institutionalisation especially for preteens and teens
2) Rights of the child and placement situation
3) Which judicial solutions are possible for the children identified as « beyond control », how
to promote the best interest of the child?
4) Social Investigation and mediation work to prevent family separation
Participants:
Panellist: Dr Fanny Cohen Herlem, Jennifer Cousins, Marie-Josée Baudot, Sylvie Lapointe,
Seema Pannaikadavil-Thomas
Moderator: Mrs S. Hamuth-Laulloo, Deputy Master & Registrar (Ministry of Justice)
Audience: 5 magistrates, CDU, Ministry of social Security, representatives from Probation
Homes, Director from RYC, team of Mauritian trainers, Mauritian children’s rights collective
Kolektif Dwra Zanfan Morisien (KDZM)
Main agreed recommendations:
 Set up a Juvenile Court with specialised magistrates and lawyers to ensure the defence of
children ;
 Specialised training for all professionals to collect child’s testimony : Judges, lawyers,
social workers, police, institution staff ;
 Separate and specialised facility for Children Beyond Control on remand with appropriate
care and trained staff (e.g. not mixing Children Beyond Control with juvenile offenders) ;
 Extend the actual timeframe of 15 days to carry out detailed and comprehensive report
addressed to Magistrates ;
 Improve family counselling through the Mediation Based Approach to prevent family
breakdown, increase the number of dedicated staff to follow-up the families prior, during
and after the remand period ;
8
 Use child mentoring scheme for all children ;
 Disseminate information and sensitise on a large scale on existing alternatives to
institutionalisation offered to families and children facing problems ;
 Harmonisation of the Child’s file and improve information sharing on the child between
concerned institutions ;
 Adapted psychiatric care for Children Beyond Control beside Brown Sequard Hospital ;
 Use available psychologists in the private sector as resources exist in Mauritius ;
 Encourage visits to RYC, shelters, probation homes by all professionals such as Magistrates
in order to sensitize them to the situation of the children in institutions ;
 Include Civil Society actors in the revision of the law Act section 18 & 19 ;
 Children placement in institution only as a last resort ;
 Review the definition of Children “Beyond Control” to abolish this term in the law.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON FOSTER CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES 21-22 MAY
The assessment needs mission in November 2014 revealed on one hand the lack of alternative
care measures for children with disabilities without parental care and on the other hand, the
commitment of the Ministry of Gender Equality to improve available supports.
ISS offered assistance to the Mauritian government to pave the way to a foster care program
dedicated to children with disabilities and those considered as « beyond control ».
The two days workshop led by Jennifer Cousins, has gathered around 25 high level and
concerned professionals, mainly from Ministry of Gender Equality competent for foster care
(Foster Care Unit, Child Development Unit) and other professionals such as the managing staff
of RYC. Civil Society was represented by Mauritian Child’s Rights Collective members. In
addition, the team of Mauritian trainers attended this whole session.
9
Mauritius have already in place a program of 50 foster families, nevertheless none of them care
for children with disabilities so far.
Many aspects have been studied with the trainee’s active participation, different topics have
been addressed such as:
 Child development and attachment issues ;
 The effects of Institutionalisation on children ;
 Task of foster parents ;
 Recruitment and evaluation of future foster parents of children with disabilities ;
 Preparation, training and supervision of foster families.
A first concerted action plan was drafted by the participants. This cornerstone document will
enable the reflection within the concerned agencies about the concrete implementation of such
a program. It should also enhance the existing program of foster care.
A second workshop could already take place during the follow-up mission beginning 2016, to
fine tune the proposed recommendations and fit the specific needs of the stakeholders.
ISS Recommendations:
Based on our observations and information collected, national adoption is not sufficiently
promoted in Mauritius. As a result, some Mauritian prospective adoptive parents might be led
to foster a child with the hope of adoption. These two measures are not the same project and
require both specific modalities and adapted processes such as evaluation, preparation and
follow-up of the family. Nonetheless, in some cases and when it is in the child’s best interest,
foster parents can adopt the child. Yet, foster care should not be a back door for adoption.
ISS strongly recommends:
 An enhanced promotion and development of domestic adoption for children in need of
adoption.
10
 More information for prospective adoptive parents who should be accompanied during the
whole procedure by professionals from an accredited national agency or from National
Adoption Council directly.
 The Inclusion of the promotion of domestic adoption in the new law on adoption, for all
adoptable children, including those with disabilities.
 A pilot program of foster care to be put in place for children with disabilities and children
said with behavioural troubles starting with few families, specially recruited, selected and
trained. Such a measure requires communication campaign and dedicated training from the
professionals and families. ISS is ready to provide support to Mauritian government.
 The inclusion of foster carers as key stakeholder in the child protection framework
 The access to all relevant information about the child situation and history for foster carers
in order to take care of the fostered child.
SIDE MEETINGS AND VISITS
Visits to the following institutions took place between 18th and 22nd May 2015 after the training
and workshops:

Probation Home for Girls (44, Charles Regnaud St, Eau-Coulée)
Probation Home is a semi-closed governmental institution where children beyond control with
mild behavioural problems1 are sent following a probation order from the Magistrates. Usually
the probation order is one year. However, the children can remain until their majority.
1
Refusal to go to school, opposition to parents, peer group
11
Based on our observation, the small home is providing residential care and organised around
the basic needs of the child in a setting close to a family with House parents and three probation
officers caring for children. It is an alternative to RYC with the possibility for the child to go
outside under escort.
The number of children at the time of the visit were 7 girls between 14 and 17 years old (max
capacity 15 children), the youngest girl in care was 9 years old.
Average Length of stay: 2 years.

Shelter for Women & Children in Distress (Icery Street, Forest Side)
The Shelter is a non-governmental, charitable and non-profitable organisation supported by the
Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare and private donations. This
residential care facility is providing educational, psychological and rehabilitation support.
Number of children at the time of the visit: 30 children. Girls between 4 and 18 years old for
girls and boys between 4 to 10 years. There are also mothers and babies.
Average Length of stay: 2 years or more depends on the age at arrival.

Rehabilitation Youth Center (RYC)
RYC and Correctional Youth Centers are under the Prime Ministers Office. RYC is a closed
institution for Children Beyond Control and/or having committed offenses. Some of them are
sent following a “Remand Order” from the Magistrates or on parents request. For the majority
of children on remand, the detention period could be until they reached 18 years old.
Based on our observation the institution is similar to a detention place with scarce educational
and recreational activity.
Number of children at the time of the visit: 32 girls (9 on remand) and 26 boys (15 on remand)
between 12 and 18 years old. There are also mothers and babies.
Average Length of stay: 2-3 years or more depends on the age at arrival.

Centre d’Education et de Développement des Enfants Mauriciens (CEDEM) (Beetun
Lane, Floreal)
The Center is a governmental residential institution for children with disabilities. The children
were mainly referred by governmental shelters.
Based on our observation, the center is a small facility providing residential care for children
with light to moderate disability. It is organised around the basic needs of the child in a friendly
and colourful setting with professional and trained staff on disability care.
Number of children at the time of the visit: around 15 children including between 4 and 18
years old.

Kolektif Dwra Zanfan Morisien (KDZM)
KDZM groups Mauritian NGOs involved in child protection matters. Three members of the
group have been met to discuss about their mandate and their contribution to the concluding
observations of the Children’s Rights Committee published in February 2015.
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 Mrs. Géraldine Aliphon, Manager at Autisme Maurice NGO Mrs.
 Mr. Dominique Chan Low, Programme Manager for detainees rehabilitation at Kinouété
NGO
 Marie-Laure Ziss-Phokeer, journalist, coordinator of actogether (www.actogether.mu)

Fact Finding Committee (Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family
Welfare)
Three governmental consultants have been conducting an audit of the shelters under the
responsibility of Child Development Unit. They requested a meeting with ISS in order to collect
feedback and recommendations about situation of children in residential care institutions in
Mauritius.
A two hours constructive exchange have enabled ISS to provide general information about
children’s rights, alternative care and minimum standards to be observed in shelters. A special
report for the Fact Finding Committee will be drafted by ISS to support them in the elaboration
of standards to match the international standards in this area.
CONCLUSION & NEXT STEPS
The main objectives of this mission have been achieved thanks to the commitment and
involvement of each actor and participant in the different workshop and round tables.
Beyond the scope of the project, this training has enabled professionals from different
backgrounds, decisions makers and field professionals to meet and share their views and
practices in their daily work with children.
ISS and ANPPCAN led the participants to reflect together on main recommendations to move
forward the rights of children with disabilities and those considered as “beyond control”. These
recommendations should now be taken into account by the concerned ministries and should
progressively be integrated in their respective strategic plans.
This week of training and workshops is a first step in the global project “A better future is
possible”, the team of Mauritian trainers will now onwards plays a key role in the
implementation of this project within each of the 23 residential care institutions. The trainers
will have to adapt ISS material to the Mauritian context and build their own training sessions
which will start in September 2015.
ISS is confident with the identified trainers, representing a multidisciplinary and pro-active team
with high motivation.
ANPPCAN will be in charge of supervising the team of trainers and will facilitate the
coordination between ISS and the team of trainers. A first follow-up mission is planned in
January 2016 which will focus on the capacity-strengthening of the Mauritian trainers with
regards to their needs. A targeted support on foster care and mediation based approach will
also be provided during this follow up stage by ISS. In the meantime, ISS stays at the disposal
of the team of trainers to provide any technical assistance.
In parallel of this project, ISS offers to the Prime Minister Office its expertise in the process of
legislative reform of the adoption law framework. ISS can bring its support to draft new legal
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standards to match the international standards in this area, and to put in place appropriate
measures in the country so as to protect children against the abuses adoption can too often
entail, as already provided in Vietnam, Haiti, Cyprus, etc.
****
ISS is grateful for the trust and financial support brought by Foundation Philanthropia, Geneva.
A special thanks also for Lions Club Mauritius for its valued help during the official opening.
ISS also thanks Hon. (Mrs) Marie-Aurore Marie-Joyce Perraud, Minister of Gender Equality, Child
Development and Family Welfare for her active support in the implementation of this project,
as well as Hon. (Mrs) Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and
Reform Institutions for her commitment.
ANNEX
-
Annex 1 : Official Invitation to the opening
Annex 2 : Agenda
Annex 3 : Map of Mauritius with all 21 shelters and 2 RYC concerned by the project
Annex 4 : Follow-up Indicators
Annex 5 : Press releases
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Annex 1: Official Invitation to the opening
Annex 2: Agenda
« A better future is Possible »
A project for children with disabilities and children called « beyond control » living in institution in Mauritius.
Training Workshops and exchange program in Mauritius from 18 to 25 May 2015.
Monday 18th May 2015
Time
Topics
10-10:45 am Opening workshops
Expertise
General description and specific objectives
ISS/ANPPCAN 
Participants
Opening ceremony-project presentation
 Pool of trainers, officials
Exchange with the Mauritian pool of
trainers
 Trainers Group
= 6 persons
Coffee break with officials
1045-12 am
Briefing with the
ISS (MJ)
Mauritian pool of trainers
Lunch with the Mauritian trainers
Awareness-raising and
1-3 pm
exchanges on the notion
of Disability

Fanny Cohen/ 
Jennifer
Cousins
 Staff of the pilot shelter, person in charge, head of section,
person in charge of caregivers, caregivers, psychologists,
--- Brief description: introduction to the
etc.
concept of disability, think tank workshops
 Staff from 2 RYC: person in charge, head of section, person
on the perception of disability and the
in charge of caregivers, psychologists (girl/ boy)
different options to access a family setting.
= Approximately 25 persons
--- Duration: 2 hours
Plenary session and workshops
Tuesday 19th May 2015
Time
9-10:30 am
Topics
Expertise
General description and specific objectives
Participants
Awareness on the concept Fanny
Cohen
of “behavioral disorder”
 Plenary session and group workshops
--- Brief description :
--- Objectives of the session:
--- Duration: 1h30
Introduction to the
concept of evaluation.
Focus on disabled children
and “Beyond control”
 Plenary session and group workshops
--- Duration : 1h15
idem
Introduction to child assessment for a better
understanding of their needs and develop an
adapted and individualised life project
idem
 Staff of the pilot shelter, person in charge, head of
section, person in charge of caregivers, caregivers,
psychologists, etc.
 Staff from 2 RYC: person in charge, head of section,
person in charge of caregivers, psychologists (girl/ boy)
 CDU Liaison Officer, probation officers
= Approximately 25 persons
Coffee break
10:45-12 am
Lunch break
1-2 pm
The systematic and
regular evaluation of the
child placed in an
institution
Sylvie

Lapointe
(ISS Canada)

The role of the multidisciplinary team
--- Duration: 1h
2-3 pm
Introduction of the
Lifebook
ISS (MJ)

Presentation of the tool
--- Duration: 1h
Wednesday 20th May 2015
Time
9-11 am
Topics
Systematic and regular
evaluation of the child
placed in institution.
Focus on handicapped
children and those
« Beyond control »
Expertise
General description and specific objectives
Sylvie

Lapointe
(ISS Canada)
Child’s complete file: functions for
professionals (promotion of the work of the
multidisciplinary team and the team
meetings), for the child and his/her future
family

Reflection about the child’s life project

Example of discussion: how on the basis of
assessments, propose a feasible life project
for the child with the resources available in
the country
--- Duration: 3h

Children Beyond Control/FAS (fetal alcohol
syndrome)

Disabled children: Cerebral Palsy, Down
Syndrome, developmental delay
Participants
 Staff of the pilot shelter, person in charge, head of
section, person in charge of caregivers, caregivers,
psychologists, etc.
 Staff from 2 RYC: person in charge, head of section,
person in charge of caregivers
 CDU Liaison Officer, probation officers
 = Approximately 25 persons
Coffee break
11:15-3pm
Recommendation for care Fanny
Cohen
--- Duration: 2h45
Lunch break (12:45)
 Idem
= Approximately 25 persons
Thursday 21st May 2015 – Session A
Time
9-12 am
morning
only
10:30 am
Coffee
Break
Topics
Expertise
The pre-adolescent and
Fanny Cohen
adolescent’s problematic
of young people placed in Dr Ip. (to
institutions.
confirm)
From normal to
pathological
Irène (to
confirm)
General description and specific objectives

Round Table
Raising awareness of medical and
paramedical staff working in institutions
and the RYC in link with Mauritius Ministry
of health
--- Duration: 2h45
Participants
Nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists
of the institutions and RYC
= Between 10 and 15 people
Thursday 21st May 2015 – Session B
Time
9-12 am
1-3 pm
Coffee
break at
10:30 am
and lunch
break at 12
am
Topics
Expertise
How to develop a
Jennifer
specialized foster care
Cousins
program for disabled
children and children with
behavioral disorders?
General description and specific objectives
Participants
Technical assistance on the overall process Ministry of Gender Equality, the Child Development and Family
to implement a foster care program for
Welfare
children "difficult to place"
--- Duration: 5 h
= Approximately 15 people
Friday 22nd May 2015 – Session A
Time
Topics
Expertise
The social inquiry,
Sylvie Lapointe 
upstream of the
(ISS Canada)
morning only placement decision
and mediation work
to prevent family

separation
10:30 am Coffee

Break
9-12 am
General description and specific objectives
Participants
Reinforce social workers’ capacity (Ministry CDU Liaison Officer, probation officers and all other actors
of Social welfare) to conduct early social related to social inquiries
investigation especially for children said to = Between 15 and 20 people approximately
be « beyond control » : practical training
Awareness-raising to the approach based
on family mediation in cases of conflicts to
prevent unnecessary separations
--- Duration: 2h45
Friday 22nd May 2015 – Session B
Time
Topics
Expertise
How to develop a
Jennifer
specialized foster
Cousins
1-3 pm
care program for
disabled children
Coffee break at and children with
10:30 am and behavioral
lunch break at disorders?
(continued from the
12 am
session B of
Thursday)
9-12 am
General description and specific objectives
Participants
Technical assistance on the overall process Ministry of Gender Equality, the Child Development and Family
to implement a foster care program for
Welfare
children "difficult to place"
--- Duration: 5 h
= Approximately 15 people (same people of Thursday)
Monday 25th May 2015 Hotel Gold Crest
Time
Topics
9-12 am
Raising awareness
of magistrates:
workshops on the
situation of children
called “beyond
control”
Fanny Cohen
Closure
ISS MJ/
10 am Coffee
Break
Finger buffet at
12 am
1-3 pm
Expertise
ISS (Seema +
Sylvie )
Jennifer
Cousins
(institutionaliza
tion effects)
ANPPCAN
General description and specific objectives
Advocacy and discussion for taking better into
account of the interest of the child
--- Duration: 3h
Moderator: Mrs S. Hamuth-Laulloo, Deputy Master
& Registrar (Ministry of Justice)
Delivery of certificates for future trainers and
discussion on next steps
Participants
Magistrates, Ministry of Gender and Social Security,
responsible RYC
Ombudsperson, group of Mauritian trainers if possible
= approximately 15 people
Mauritian trainers, Ministry of Gender and Social Security,
responsible RYC
Annex 3: Geographic distribution of the 21 shelters and 2 RYC in Mauritius
In purple: shelters (17)
In red: shelters currently caring for children with disabilities (4)
In orange: RYC (2)
In total 23 facilities will benefit of the trainings and follow-up from the team of Mauritian
trainers.
Annex 4: Follow-up Indicators
A better future is possible- Expected results and outcomes for shelters
Main Goal: Promoting the development of an individual and adapted life project for children with disabilities living in
institution (shelters)
Professionals from 21 shelters benefit from training:
Specific
Expected Results
Objectives
Indicators to achieve
for managing staff
Indicators to achieve for
caregivers
in each partner shelter
in each partner institution
1/ Help professionals to better 
identify and understand needs
of every child and in particular
the specific needs of children
with disabilities.
Changes in the daily 
practice are observed 
following the main
recommendations of
the trainings.
6 months after the training

Reference caregiver for 50 % of 
children

Staff from partner

institutions is able to 
better describe the
needs of children with 
disabilities and better
respond to them.
18 months after the training
Reference caregiver for 100 % of

children
Set up care within small group
(10 children by groups)
Means of
verification
6 months after the training
100% of children have been
observed at least once (by the
reference caregiver of the child)
following the template of the
observation grids in the
handbook.
-Training reports. (Pool
3 adapted stimulation
tools/activities adapted to the
age and needs of the children
are created and used.
of Mauritian trainers’
reports)
-Observation grids
-Individual stimulation
program


18 months after the training
-Weekly activities
Observation of 100% of
children is done at least every program
3 months by the reference
caregiver

At least 6 adapted stimulation
tools/activities adapted to the
age and needs of the children
are created and used
Specific
Expected Results
Indicators to achieve
Objectives
2/ Promote systematic and
professional assessment of
every child regardless of
his/her health status.
for managing staff


Professionals working 
directly with children 
are aware of the added
value of a systematic,
regular and
professional
assessment of every 
child regardless of
his/her health status.
The multidisciplinary 

team proposes an
adapted case plan
tailored to the needs of
children with
disabilities and

adapted to the
available options.
Indicators to achieve for
caregivers
Means of
verification
6 months after the training
Monthly meeting with
multidisciplinary team are
organised to speak about the
situation of children in care.
100 % children in care have a
personal file following a
comprehensive template
12 months after the training
The situation of 50 % of children
in care is assessed and reviewed
at least every 3 months and
their files is filled in consequently
A life project is designed and
developed for 50 % of the
children cared for in partner
institutions


18 months after the training
The situation of 100 % of
children in care is assessed and
reviewed at least every 3
months and their file is filled in
consequently

A life project is designed and
developed for 100 % of the
children cared for in partner
institutions


Long term indicators
Decrease of the number of
children with disabilities staying
more than 5 years in institution
(long term results)
Minutes of staff
meetings
Children’s files
Statistic report of the
partner institutions
Specific
Expected Results
Objectives
Indicators to achieve
Indicators to achieve for
caregivers
for managing staff
3/ Support the preparation of 
every child to an adequate life
plan designed for him/her.
Institutions staff use 
the child Lifebook for 
each disabled child
6 months after the training
At least 50 % of children in
partner institutions receive a
Lifebook

Every child leaving the 
institution is well
prepared to his/her
life project and new
life environment


50 % of children leaving
institutions benefit from an
adapted preparation
18 months after the training
100 % of children in partner
institutions receive a Lifebook
Means of
verification


6 months after the training
Lifebooks are filled in regularly
following the events in the life
of the child and main steps of
Lifebooks
his/her development

At least 3 preparation activities Report of the pool of
Mauritian trainers
are implemented for each
group.
Logbook of institutions
Annex 5:
ENFANTS VULNÉRABLES—ATELIER
DE TRAVAIL: Renforcer l’encadrement des
enfants placés en institution
Article paru dans Le Mauricien | 19 mai, 2015 - 20:00
« Un autre futur est possible. » Tel est le thème de l’atelier de travail organisé à l’intention
des Ong œuvrant auprès des enfants en difficultés. La formation est assurée par le Service
Social International (SSI), en collaboration avec l’African Network for the Prevention and
Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) et le ministère de l’Égalité des
genres, du Développement de l’enfant et du Bien-être de la famille.
Cet atelier animé par cinq professionnels de SSI – venant de France, de Suisse, d'Angleterre et
du Canada – a pour but de renforcer l’encadrement des enfants vulnérables dans les centres de
réhabilitation. Les enfants souffrant d'un handicap et ceux dits hors de contrôle sont
particulièrement concernés. Procédant à l’ouverture de cet atelier de travail ce matin, la
ministre de l’Égalité des genres, du Développement de l’enfant et du Bien-être de la famille
Aurore Perraud a rappelé l’importance de telles initiatives. « Nous faisons face à de nombreux
problèmes concernant les enfants placés. Nous ne détenons pas les clés du savoir pour gérer
ce genre de situation. C’est pour cela que nous devons exploiter les connaissances de ceux qui
ont pu trouver des solutions. Dans cette perspective, nous accueillons favorablement la venue
des experts du SSI. »
Aurore Perraud s’est dite également heureuse de bénéficier de la collaboration de sa collègue
de la Sécurité sociale, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, à ce sujet. « Je crois en un changement de
mentalité, au lieu de faire un jugement hâtif sur ces enfants. Nos deux ministères ont les
mêmes préoccupations pour le bien-être de ces enfants », a-t-elle souligné, tout en faisant
référence au Children’s Bill qui sera présenté à l’Assemblée bientôt.
De son côté, Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo a rappelé que travailler avec des enfants en difficultés
représente un défi dur à relever. D’où l’importance de la formation, a-t-elle ajouté. « Notre
mission est d’aider ces jeunes à prendre leur vie en main et non d’adopter des mesures
répressives. Il faut développer des programmes où les enfants pourront s’épanouir et se
reconstruire. »
La ministre de la Sécurité sociale a rappelé que cela fait une dizaine d’années que le ministère
a mis sur pied le premier half way home pour les filles, suite à un projet soumis par
l’ANPPCAN, dirigée par Marie-Josée Baudot. « L’objectif est d’aider ces jeunes à réintégrer
la société après leur passage dans un centre de réhabilitation. Nous avons actuellement 26
garçons et 32 filles au Rehabilitation Youth Centre. Il nous faut développer des programmes
adaptés pour ces jeunes. » Par ailleurs, a souligné la ministre, le gouvernement est en train de
revoir le système d’éducation. Ce qui devrait permettre de « repérer les enfants à problème et
les aider en fonction de leurs problèmes individuels ».
Pour sa part, Marie Jenny, coordinatrice du SSI, a fait ressortir que le projet « Un autre futur
est possible » existe déjà au Vietnam, au Burkina Faso et au Mexique. Dans les deux premiers
cas, l’organisation œuvre auprès des enfants souffrant d'un handicap et placés en institution,
tandis qu’au Mexique, il s’agit surtout d’enfants placés pour des raisons liées à la violence. À
Maurice, les deux situations sont concernées. « Ces enfants sont triplement vulnérables. Ils
grandissent en institution, sont privés de leurs familles et ont un handicap. “Un autre futur est
possible” vise à leur donner une nouvelle chance. »
Marie Jenny est aussi d’avis que Maurice a aussi des enjeux différents, notamment avec la
question des enfants dits hors de contrôle. « Il nous a paru nécessaire d’intégrer ces enfants
afin de leur donner une chance de réinsertion dans la société. »
Marie Josée Baudot, directrice de l’ANPPCAN, a rappelé que le premier half way home, mis
en place en 2004, est venu répondre à un grand besoin, puisqu’après leur passage en
institution « la réinsertion est presque impossible pour ces jeunes ». Elle a souligné le soutient
du Lions Club, tout au long de ce parcours, et a insisté sur la nécessité de mettre en place un
programme adapté pour ces jeunes.
La question des enfants hors de contrôle, justement, occupera une place importante dans cet
atelier de travail. Il est jugé important de revoir la définition de ce terme. Marie-Josée Baudot
a témoigné de sa rencontre avec une jeune fille de 17 ans dans un centre de réhabilitation qui
l’a interpellée. « Cette fille, qui était pourtant brillante au collège, avait été placée parce que
ses parents avaient dit qu’elle était hors de contrôle. Elle était au bord du suicide. Mais en
réalité, elle était là tout simplement parce que ses parents voulaient la punir, car elle aimait un
garçon d’une autre religion. »
Les autres thèmes qui seront abordés au cours de cet atelier sont : la définition du handicap,
les troubles du comportement et la nécessité d’une enquête sociale avant un placement, entre
autres. Une rencontre avec les magistrats des Cours de District, pour discuter justement de la
question des enfants hors de contrôle, est aussi prévue.
1
« L’enfant “beyond control” est une notion
fourre-tout »
Article paru dans Le Mauricien | 23 mai, 2015 - 09:00
Psychologue de formation et détentrice d’un Master 2 en gestion de projets en coopération
internationale, Marie Jenny a travaillé au Bénin et au Mali. Elle anime actuellement une
formation à Maurice avec d’autres membres du Service Social International sur les enfants
placés en institution. Elle s’exprime sur le concept mauricien de « child beyond control » qui,
selon elle, est une notion vague qui permet à des parents de se « décharger » de leurs enfants
trop facilement. Elle évoque également la nécessité d’un encadrement adéquat et la nécessité
de promouvoir les familles d’accueil.
Quel est l’objectif de la formation que vous animez actuellement à Maurice ?
Le Service Social International (SSI) est un organisme qui œuvre auprès des familles faisant
face à des problématiques sociales et juridiques. Nous avons un réseau international dans 140
pays et, à Maurice, nous travaillons en partenariat avec l’African Network for the Prevention
and Protection of Children against Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN). La formation que nous
animons ici actuellement concerne l’encadrement des enfants porteurs de handicaps ou dits
“beyond control”, qui se trouvent dans les shelters, RYC et Probation Home, afin de favoriser
leurs droits à des options familiales.
On a remarqué qu’à travers le monde, des milliers d’enfants grandissent en institution sans
jamais pouvoir vivre dans un cadre familial. Or, tous les spécialistes, experts et scientifiques
du monde estiment que l’environnement familial est le meilleur endroit où l’enfant peut
s’épanouir de manière harmonieuse. Notre projet “Un autre futur est possible” vise à
accompagner le personnel des shelters et du RYC d’une part, et le gouvernement mauricien
de l’autre, pour aider à développer des mesures de prise en charge de type familial pour les
enfants difficiles à placer.
Maurice a déjà un projet de famille d’accueil...
Je sais que 54 familles ont été identifiées par la Child Development Unit (CDU). Mais aucune
n’a été recrutée ni formée pour prendre en charge un enfant porteur de handicap ou avec des
comportements dits “beyond control”. Nous, ce qu’on voudrait faire, avec la CDU et les
professionnels de Maurice, c’est de mettre en place un dispositif pilote pour recruter des
familles spécialisées qui pourraient prendre en charge ces enfants. On commencera peut-être
par cinq ou six familles. L’idée, c’est de bien les choisir, bien les former, bien les suivre dans
la prise en charge d’un enfant ayant des difficultés et des besoins spécifiques.
À côté de cela, on travaillera aussi sur la médiation familiale pour essayer de réintégrer
l’enfant, dans la mesure du possible, dans sa famille d’origine. Nous sommes à l’écoute des
besoins du gouvernement et nous nous adapterons aux demandes. Nous travaillons aussi sur la
prévention de séparation. Aujourd’hui, les magistrats se basent sur une enquête sociale pour
décider de la vie de l’enfant. Nous souhaiterions outiller les professionnels pour approfondir
l’enquête. Nous rencontrons également les magistrats la semaine prochaine à ce sujet. Notre
rôle est d’aider les autorités locales en leur donnant les outils, mais toujours en respectant
leurs besoins.
Quelles sont les faiblesses que vous avez notées depuis que vous êtes ici ?
Les faiblesses sont les mêmes que dans beaucoup de pays : le manque de ressources
humaines. Des gens sont chargés de faire une évaluation sur un enfant dit “beyond control”
dans sa famille et ils n’ont que 15 jours pour cela. C’est très court comme délai, surtout que
cela déterminera les 3 ou 4 prochaines années de sa vie. S’il est placé en RYC, par exemple, il
est très important d’avoir une enquête très détaillée. On a remarqué également à Maurice que
la voix de l’enfant est peu écoutée. Il manque des juges pour enfants. Des juges spécialisés
pour étudier des cas spécifiques, écouter et prendre en compte l’opinion de l’enfant. C’est un
droit fondamental inscrit dans la Convention des droits de l’enfant. Cela fait défaut pour
l’instant à Maurice, mais on a bon espoir que, bientôt, on puisse avoir des juges formés dans
ce but.
En parlant d'enfants “beyond control”, n’est-ce pas parfois une option facile pour se
débarrasser des enfants à problèmes ?
Au SSI et à l'ANPPCAN, on estime en effet que c’est souvent une manière pour les familles
de se décharger d’un enfant posant problème. Dans beaucoup de cas, l’enfant est trop
facilement séparé de sa famille. Or, la Convention des droits de l’enfant promeut que l’enfant
ne soit jamais séparé de manière inutile de ses parents et qu’il faut tout faire pour préserver la
cellule familiale. Ce n’est que dans les cas où l’enfant est vraiment en danger dans sa famille
qu’il devrait en être séparé. Mais dans des cas de conflits pouvant être réglés, il faut
privilégier des solutions avant que la famille n’explose de l’intérieur. C’est pour cela qu’on
propose une approche basée sur la médiation familiale.
Comment définir un enfant “beyond control” ?
Le terme “beyond control” n’apparaît dans aucun standard international. Je n’avais jamais vu
ce terme utilisé à l’échelle de l’État dans un autre pays. C’est vraiment une notion propre à
Maurice, une notion fourre-tout où on retrouve des filles ayant fugué, celles qui dérangent
leurs mères parce que le beau-père est attiré par elles, des jeunes gens qui sont amoureux et
qui ne sont pas de la même religion... Des choses mineures, somme toute, très banales.
Il y a aussi des enfants hyperactifs, des enfants ayant subi des traumatismes dans leur famille
et qui ne savent pas comment évacuer cela. Du coup, ils ont un comportement difficile.
Souvent, pour comprendre le comportement d’un enfant, il faut d'abord comprendre comment
la famille l’a élevé. L’enfant “beyond control” est une notion qui n’a aucune valeur
scientifique aux yeux de la communauté internationale. Je ne veux pas remettre en question ce
qui se passe à Maurice, mais au niveau de la Convention des droits de l’enfant, il est quand
même bien spécifié que l’enfant ne devrait pas être victime de discrimination. Or, ces enfants,
une fois étiquetés “beyond control”, souffrent de stigmatisation et de discrimination.
Il y a eu aussi des cas de violences, de révolte dans les “shelters” et au RYC... Comment
gérer ce genre de situation ?
C’est tout le fond du problème, parce que ce sont des enfants qui viennent de milieux en
difficultés, de familles qui sont peu soutenantes. Ces jeunes-là, on les retire sans prendre en
compte leur avis. Du coup, ils n’ont plus confiance dans le monde des adultes et ont surtout
tendance à se révolter. Surtout s’ils sont confinés dans des endroits où ils sont privés d’un
certain nombre de leurs libertés. L’adolescence étant aussi marquée par le questionnement et
la révolte, cela ne facilite pas l’apaisement des tensions. Et quand on met comme cela
plusieurs jeunes filles qui n’ont pas forcément commis de délits, et qui souvent en plus sont
victimes, dans un centre pas adapté à leur problématique, forcément, cela mène à des révoltes,
à des actes de violences.
Comment allez-vous aider les autorités mauriciennes pour cela ?
En ce qui concerne les enfants dits “beyond control”, on axera notre travail sur la prévention
pour éviter que l’enfant soit placé au RYC. On fera tout pour proposer la médiation et éviter
que le conflit familial ne devienne trop important et éviter ainsi que l’enfant soit soustrait de
sa famille. Une fois de plus, il y a l’option des familles d’accueil ou des “half way homes”.
Des institutions adaptées qui proposent une prise en charge en petits groupes, en milieu
ouvert, où les jeunes sont valorisés pour leurs compétences, apprennent un métier, participent
à la vie de la maison. L’accompagnement de type familial est très important pour les jeunes
étant déjà très perturbés par leur histoire.
Les familles sont parfois réticentes à accueillir un enfant déjà catégorisé “beyond
control”…
Il faut faire une bonne campagne de promotion des familles d’accueil. Il faut aller vers les
gens, savoir où les trouver. Cela peut-être dans les associations, dans les hôpitaux, dans les
églises… des gens qui sont déjà un peu sensibilisés sur la question. Mais je crois que la
responsabilité de l’État, c’est aussi de faire de la promotion, à un niveau plus large, des
familles d’accueil. Surtout que derrière l’appellation “beyond control”, il n’y a pas que des
enfants ayant des troubles du comportement. Souvent, on y trouve des enfants victimes et qui
ont le droit, comme d’autres, d’avoir un environnement familial. Il faut aussi varier les
options. On peut aussi, à l’intérieur même d’une institution, avoir de petites familles, des
personnes qui s’occupent d’un petit groupe d’enfants sur le long terme, dans une petite
maison. Quand c’est possible, il faut aussi privilégier les relations avec la famille biologique,
histoire de garder le contact, pour espérer rétablir les liens dans un futur proche.
Vous serez basée à Maurice pour ce projet ?
Nous formons des formateurs mauriciens. Il est très important de s’appuyer sur les ressources
et les expertises locales. Les deux ministères ont identifié six personnes que nous formons et
qui assureront la diffusion de la formation, ainsi que le suivi dans les shelters et au RYC.
Nous, on reste au service de ce groupe de formateurs et nous reviendrons une ou deux fois
pour renforcer leurs capacités. Nous espérons aussi que les recommandations que nous allons
présenter lors du projet seront intégrées dans les pratiques des fonctionnaires des ministères.