Part II. Minimum quality standards The second part of the questionnaire focuses on the verification of the application of minimum quality standards in the homes, as defined in the circular issued by the DPCCS (attached in Annex IV). The questions have been drafted focusing on those indicators which have been considered more relevant for the understanding of the quality of daily life offered to children by the single residential institution. Although analyzed from a quantitative point of view, the findings help to define a quite clear picture of the life conditions in residential care in Sri Lanka. These aspects should be constantly under the attention of PCC officers, since they are the primary indicators of the welfare of children in institutions, and of the respect of their rights. Furthermore, as mentioned in the circular, the regular monitoring of compliance to the standards should be a matter of consideration for the annual approval of public maintenance assistance and ad hoc grants to voluntary homes.
4. Essential facilities Sleeping areas Chart 10: Minimum quality standards in the sleeping areas Basic facilities: sleeping areas No answer 2% 100% 80%
less than 36 sq ft 42%
60% 40% 20% 0%
36 sq ft or more 56%
Sleeping space per child
NO 28%
YES 72%
Beds for all
NO 13%
3 homes out of 10 do not have enough beds for the children
YES 87%
Separate accommmodation for staff
The majority of residential institutions claim to provide an adequate space to each child in the dormitories (defined by the DPCCS as 36 square feet). However, in most of the homes dormitories are equipped with bunk beds; therefore the space around the bed has to be shared by two children. 136 voluntary homes (including 12 for children with disabilities) admitted not to have a sufficient number of beds for all the children: children reportedly sleep on mats on the floor. Despite being considered a common habit, the lack of adequate sleeping facilities – which can negatively affect the capacity to rest during a crucial age for the physical development of boys and girls – concerns around 6,000 children, mostly in the North and Eastern Provinces. In the large majority of homes, caregivers have separate accommodation; the opposite is true in 62 homes. In most of these cases the choice has been justified with the need to exercise a closer control over children during the night. This would be expected to be more so in homes for children with disabilities, while only 10 of these do not have separate accommodation for the staff.
Report on Voluntary Residential Institutions for Children in Sri Lanka - 21