Lumos research and evaluations manager Lina Gyllensten said the strategic review undertaken for Negeri Sembilan was proof that neither the country nor the state were “starting from zero”.

“For instance, you have the personnel, such as therapists, psychologists, social workers and carers. They have the skills needed in the new system of care.

“So, it is more about transforming how the staff are used, rather than creating a new system from zero.

“It is clear that Malaysia and Negeri Sembilan are not starting from zero. We are already on our way in so many areas,” she said, adding that the budget and material resources were also available.

Gyllensten was presenting the key findings from the analysis in Negeri Sembilan at the three-day 5th Family-Based Care (Deinstitutionalisation) Conference 2017 today, which was opened by the patron of OrphanCare Foundation, the Sultanah of Pahang, Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom.

The strategic review, carried out over a year ago, took several months and covered 20 residential institutions in Negeri Sembilan, 13 of which were private and the remaining seven government. Over 1,000 cases of children in institutions were involved.

Gyllensten said Malays and Indians made up 53% and 45% respectively of those in private institutions, while a huge chunk of those in government institutions were Malays (74%).

She said a majority of those admitted into government institutions were aged between 13 and 17 (58%), while 29% of those in private institutions were between nine and 12.

“In terms of who referred the children to the institutions, a majority of those in private institutions were referred there by their birth families (65%), while 77% of those in government institutions were referred by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW),” she said.

Regarding the reasons for admission, Gyllensten said a whopping 93% of those in private institutions were admitted due to economic reasons such insufficient finances to cover basic needs, while 35% in government institutions were admitted due to abuse or neglect.

She noted however a positive finding in the area of contact with family members, with a majority in both private and government institutions keeping in touch with either all or some of their family members.

“Similarly, 64% of those in government institutions said they kept in contact with their extended family members, and 70% of those in private institutions did likewise,” she said.

On the length of stay, which mostly hovered between a year and four years for private institutions (53%) and less than a year for government institutions (46%), Gyllensten said this could be viewed from the economic perspective in addition to how the children and their contact with families and communities was affected.

“If you have long stays, it is costing the government a lot of money and is expensive, and that money can be better used to help families stay together,” she said.

On reasons for discharge, Gyllensten said the explanations given, such as reaching the time limit in the institution, exceeding the age limit and lack of space, had nothing to do with an active decision involving the child.

“With the family-based care system, the chances of placing the child at the centre of the decision-making process will increase, rather than let other circumstances make the decision for the child.”

She added that Seremban had the least number of social workers but a high percentage of cases.

This differed greatly from Tampin and Port Dickson, where the number of social workers exceeded the percentage of cases.

“One thing to look into is increased capacity – to see where social workers should be placed, where services should be based to support families,” she said.

OrphanCare, with support from Lumos and funding from Yayasan Hasanah and Unicef, conducted the research exercise to gain a better understanding of the situation of institutionalised children in Negeri Sembilan.

Its foundation chairman, Faizah Mohd Tahir, said the research should form the basis for recommendations for the development of state and national action plans for the establishment of a family-based care system in the country.