Enhanced knowledge and skills in providing case management services for children and families
In 2025, Save the Children continues “Establishing School-Based Child Protection Mechanism in Mongolia” project funded by Save the Children International (Hong Kong), marking the third year of the initiative with 14 multidisciplinary teams and 14 schools in Gobi-Altai, Khovd aimags and the districts of Bayangol, Bayanzurkh, Sukhbaatar, Khan-Uul, and Chingeltei in Ulaanbaatar.
The project aims to develop a collaborative model for effective prevention, early intervention, and response by strengthening school-based child protection mechanisms in cooperation with schools and multidisciplinary teams, involving educators, caregivers, parents, and school staff.
Within the project framework, Save the Children conducted the training ” Steps to Protect: Revised Common Approach of Case Management” on February 11-12, 2025. Through learning the updated methodology, participants enhanced their knowledge and skills in providing case management services to children and their families.
Country Manager and Representative, Save the Children in Mongolia, L. Bayan-Altai, delivered an opening remarks at the training. He emphasized, “Child protection and child rights governance are the key priorities for Save the Children. That is why we have organized various training sessions and published guidance materials in this field. Today, we are introducing a new handbook and conducting the training based on its content. I encourage all of you to actively participate.”
More than 80 participants attended the training, including teachers and social workers from the project’s target schools and multidisciplinary teams, and specialists from the Education and Family, Child, Youth Development Departments of Khovd, Gobi-Altai provinces and Khan-Uul, Bayangol, Chingeltei, Sukhbaatar, and Bayanzurkh districts.
Saruulzaya, the principal of Jargalant Secondary School No. 1 in Khovd province, reflected on the training, said, “This training provided clear insights into case management, risk assessment, and stress management. Learning how to apply these concepts in our work to achieve meaningful results is a significant advantage.”
Also, Nansalmaa. B, the primary education manager of Dariv Secondary School in Gobi-Altai province, expressed, “The training was very effective. I will share what I have learned with our school’s teachers and staff.”
The “Steps to Protect: Revised Common Approach of Case Management” handbook was newly developed in 2023 by Save the Children International. This handbook outlines a detailed methodology for child protection case management while introducing key updates to strengthen the safeguarding of children’s rights. Notably, it includes guidance on delivering case management services to children with disabilities and their caregivers, implementing gender-sensitive approaches, and integrating climate change considerations into case management practices. These additions make the revised handbook particularly relevant in addressing emerging challenges in child protection.
Besides, the “Self-Care Workbook”, specifically designed for child protection professionals, was introduced. These professionals frequently encounter cases of violence, exploitation, and neglect against children in their daily work,. They have worked under immense physical and psychological stress to ensure the timely, comprehensive, and high-quality delivery of child protection services.
To sustain their effectiveness in safeguarding children’s well-being, it is crucial for child protection professionals to protect their own mental health and learn how to regulate negative emotions. Strengthening self-care practices not only enhances their professional performance but also contributes to their overall well-being.
This workbook includes practical strategies for recognizing and managing emotions, balancing workloads, seeking support when needed, and building psychological resilience. By prioritizing self-care, child protection professionals can continue to make a meaningful impact in their field.
The training coincides with the latest adoption of amendments to the Child Protection Law, which mandates the appointment of social workers in every district, province, and local administrative unit across Mongolia.
Over the past two years, the project team has been working to enhance child protection within school environments. As part of this effort, they have developed a series of modular training programs tailored for teachers, school staff, parents, caregivers, children, and other key stakeholders involved in child protection. Additionally, they have introduced a new model for child protection services in targeted local communities.