Policy and legal framework on protecting children’s rights in Latvia and Sri Lanka

To explore the level of involvement of social work professionals on implementing children’s rights in a diverse socio-cultural and legal framework in Latvia and Sri Lanka. Mixed methods research design: a document analysis of legislation and policies, qualitative expert interviews (n=10) and a quantitative survey (n=60). The review of legal framework has been made by a content analysis of the legislation and policies. Similarities and differences between the legal and policy framework of the two countries are discussed from the standpoint of the global perspective of Social work as a global profession. There is sufficient legal background in both countries for accomplishing children’s rights. A key difference between the two countries: in Latvia, the implementation process of protection of child rights has cross-sectoral collaboration among the main institutions and stakeholders in the field, and in Sri Lanka, the institutions work separately in their mandates about different aspects of the child rights-related issues. In Latvia, special government bodies have established for ensuring childrens rights in Latvia. In Sri Lanka, the National child protection Authority and Probation and Childcare Services Department are main bodies that work on child protection. Main country similarities: sufficient legal background, cultural relativity of national/local contexts affects upholding children’s rights and social work practice.rather low satisfaction level on the implementation of policies,financial resource allocations for social work practice is not sufficient,high workload for social workers. Country differences: In Latvia, social work profession is a part of the social welfare system; in Sri Lanka, social workers are not part of the social welfare system, officers might not be specialised in social work. education and training levels of social workers,number of clients per social worker,child situation: child employment and less leisure time in Sri Lanka, different reasons for school non-attendance, different attitudes concerning physical punishments.