Abstract:

Improving the quality of rescue and protection services for irregular-migration children promotes the comprehensive development of children’s welfare, and builds a strong safety net for the elderly and the young. This paper’s analytical framework is based on the stage theory of policy-making. By analyzing the word frequency of 82 central-level policies using the content analysis method, the authors summarized the law of policy evolution. Using grounded theory, 42 successful cases were coded on Baby Go Home to investigate the internal logic of practice. Aside from revealing the relationship between policy evolution and the internal logic of practice, this paper shows that: (1) policy orientation and the practical logic of the services are consistent; (2) during the stages, which include embedded germination, specialized development, and steady progress, the policy has the value orientation of whole-cycle attention and multi-subject participation and, (3) given the policy orientation, practice has formed a multi-agent logic, which can include the police, family and society, of cooperation through the stages of prevention, relief, and resocialization, which exist throughout the rescue process. Government departments can improve the level and efficiency of the services from the aspects of strengthening the coordination between top-level design and practice, enhancing developmental guidance,and emphasizing prevention and resocialization.

Key words: rescue and protection services for children, irregular-migration children, policy evolution, practical logic, grounded theory