A Guide for Conducting Alternative Care Data Review Meetings in Uganda

A Guide for Conducting Alternative Care Data Review Meetings in Uganda
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Abstract: As part of ongoing care reforms in Uganda, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) has been working to improve data collection, information management, and reporting systems for children living without parental care. In 2019, in collaboration with the MEASURE Evaluation project, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the MGLSD developed priority indicators for routine monitoring of alternative care, including indicator reference sheets and automated tools for capturing and reporting data required for indicators. The National Guidelines for Routine Monitoring of Formal Alternative Care were also developed to provide standardized guidance on how to collect and report data on children in formal alternative care, including best practices for data analysis and visualization to facilitate the use of data in decision making for alternative care. Published in 2019, the national guidelines present a range of indicators for alternative care, sources of information, the frequency of reporting on alternative care, and monitoring and review structures.

The guidelines emphasize the need for regular data review meetings that are aligned with other strategic planning and budget review meetings at district and national levels. Data review meetings are intended to provide a platform to:

1. Review progress made, based on the full array of available data in line with the prioritized indicators.

2. Review and provide feedback on the quality of data.

3. Generate concrete follow-up actions to improve data quality and outcomes for children.

This guide is intended for monitoring and evaluation and technical staff in the MGLSD who are responsible for oversight and coordination of child protection and care system reforms, and district-level probation and social welfare officers. It aims to support the application of the national guidelines by providing detailed guidance for planning and facilitating data review meetings on alternative care at national and district levels. It also provides standardized tools and templates for use during review meetings, and highlights best practices for conducting data review meetings.
Shortname: ms-21-202-d4i
Author(s): Data for Impact
Year: 2021
Language: English