EFFECTS OF REINTEGRATION APPROACHES ON REINTEGRATION OUTCOMES AMONG CHILDREN TRANSITIONING FROM INSTITUTIONAL CARE TO COMMUNITY LIFE: EVIDENCE FROM MERU CHILDREN'S HOME, MERU COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Reintegration of children from Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs) into family and community settings remains a critical child protection concern in Kenya. Although the National Care Reform Strategy (2022–2032) promotes family-based care as the preferred alternative to institutionalization, evidence on factors associated with successful reintegration remains limited. This study examined the influence of institutional support, legal and policy frameworks, and post-reintegration services on reintegration outcomes among children reintegrated from Meru Children’s Home in Meru County, Kenya. The study adopted a mixed-methods case study design and collected data from 96 respondents using structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings showed that most reintegrated children lived with their parents and remained enrolled in school or vocational training, indicating positive social and educational adjustment. Institutional support, legal and policy frameworks, and post-reintegration services each contributed to successful reintegration outcomes. Children who received adequate preparation before reintegration, including counseling, emotional support, participation in decision-making, and family involvement, adjusted better to family and community life. Effective child protection systems, monitoring mechanisms, and awareness of children's rights also enhanced reintegration experiences. Continued psychosocial support, educational assistance, follow-up services, and provision of basic needs after reintegration further promoted children's well-being, resilience, and social integration. Institutional support emerged as the most influential predictor of successful reintegration. The study concludes that reintegration is not a one-time placement event but a continuous process that requires coordinated support before, during, and after a child leaves institutional care. The study recommends strengthening pre-reintegration preparation, enhancing the implementation and monitoring of child protection policies, and expanding post-reintegration support services to improve the long-term well-being and successful adjustment of reintegrated children.
Keywords: Child reintegration; family-based care; Charitable Children's Institutions (CCIs); institutional support; post-reintegration services; child protection policy; Meru County; Kenya.
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