Reintegration into life after captivity: Top-down and bottom-up training model for professionals working with child hostages

Recent warfare and terrorism have resulted in significant violations of children's rights, including the abduction of children. On October 7, 2023, over 250 individuals, including 40 children, were abducted by Hamas and its affiliates from Israel and taken into Gaza. By late November 2023, most of these children were returned to Israel after nearly two months in captivity, as part of an exchange agreement.
In response, Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Haruv Institute, developed flexible and adaptable training programs and guidelines for various stakeholders, including social workers, to support the children's reintegration. The guidelines were based on a model that
emphasizes both top-down and bottom-up knowledge integration. Top-down knowledge incorporated established trauma care principles and the professional expertise of the authors, while bottom-up knowledge allowed for adapting and learning directly from the experiences of the children and social workers post-return. Upon the children's return, critical bottom-up insights emerged, shaping care
practices. This model aligns with the Haruv Institute’s belief that knowledge is dynamic, multifaceted, and never comes from one place. This practice brief will explore the model, detailing how it essentially integrated top-down principles with bottom-up insights. It will also discuss the usefulness of combining both approaches in developing strategies for the reintegration of child hostages.