This protocol outlines plans for conducting an evidence synthesis on child protection. This synthesis will ask the overarching research question: What is the impact of protection interventions on unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), during the period of separation, in humanitarian crises in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs)? Specifically, the review will examine this via the following secondary questions that focus on three domains of intervention:

1. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS): What is the impact of protection interventions on the health and psychosocial well-being of UASC?
2. Interim alternative care: What is the effectiveness of interim alternative care arrangements at restoring a protective environment for UASC?
3. Child protection: What is the effectiveness of interventions to prevent UASC from abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect?

The review team will also review evidence on programmes that seek to provide long-term solutions for UASC by providing a permanent protective environment, insofar as they provide information that is relevant to framing the experience of separation, such as average length of separation and likelihood of reunification.

The review team will also review evidence on programmes that seek to provide long-term solutions for UASC by providing a permanent protective environment, insofar as they provide information that is relevant to framing the experience of separation, such as average length of separation and likelihood of reunification.

This review is commissioned under the Humanitarian Evidence Programme, a UK Aid-funded partnership between Oxfam and Feinstein International Center that aims to improve humanitarian policy and practice.