The fall of Daesh’s territories in Iraq and Syria has created a vital need to provide rehabilitation and reintegration support for those returning to their country of nationality or origin. While previous work in the broader field of rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals affected by violent extremism, as well as related fields such as child disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) and child refugees, provides guidance for practitioners and policymakers, there is a need for specific considerations and approaches that address the context of returnee children from Iraq and Syria.

While acknowledging the complexities involved and the agency of child returnees, it is important to note that children should be considered as victims and the best interests of the child should be central in all rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. This principle has influenced the development of the guidelines, good practices, and the overall approach to this toolkit, ensuring a child-centric approach that acknowledges their specific needs and rights throughout the rehabilitation and reintegration process. This Toolkit seeks to directly support trauma-informed rehabilitation and reintegration approaches, and further highlights the need for age and gender differentiated approaches.