Exploring the absence of child voice in alternative care decisions in Lebanon

Description :

Background: Children’s right to participate in decisions that affect them is enshrined in Article 12 of the UNCRC, yet international evidence shows that children’s views are too often marginalized in alternative care decisions, with downstream consequences for wellbeing, trust, and life outcomes. In Lebanon, a relatively young and complex child protection system—shaped by Law 422 (2002), plural legal authorities, and resource constraints—faces persistent gaps in integrating children’s perspectives into placement processes. Objective: To explore the lived experiences of Lebanese care leavers regarding how alternative care placement decisions were made, and the extent to which they were meaningfully involved—across the participation dimensions of information, expression, audience, and influence. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design will be used. Purposive sampling (via NGOs and social services) will recruit ~10–15 adults (≥18) who experienced alternative care in childhood. Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews (≈60 minutes; in person/secure video) will be audio-recorded with consent. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) will blend deductive coding (participation principles) with inductive coding (context-specific themes). Rigour will be enhanced through research triangulation, reflexive memos, and de-identification. Expected contribution: Findings will document how participation was (or was not) operationalized in Lebanese placement decisions, identify barriers/enablers to children’s involvement, and generate practice and policy recommendations for judicial and social pathways. Conclusions: By centering care leavers’ voices, this study addresses a critical evidence gap in Lebanon. It aims to inform reforms that move systems from adult-centric to child-informed decision-making, aligning national practice with international child rights standards.

Titulaire :
ESTEPHAN YERETZIAN Joumana

Contact USJ :
joumana.estephan@usj.edu.lb

Chercheur(s) :
Mme Kawthar JABER FADLALLAH
Mme Joumana ESTEPHAN YERETZIAN

Projet présenté au CR, le : 01/01/2026

Projet achevé auprès du CR : 01/06/2026