This section contains guiding principles in programming for children, based on evidence highlighting the international frameworks and policies to support this.
The global strategic framework  introduced in 2004 outlines the key strategies for the support and care of vulnerable children.

1. Strengthen the capacity of families to protect and care for orphans and vulnerable children by prolonging the lives of parents and providing economic, psychosocial and other support.
2. Mobilize and support community-based responses.
3. Ensure access for orphans and vulnerable children to essential services, including education, health care, birth registration and others.
4. Ensure that governments protect the most vulnerable children through improved policy and legislation and by channelling resources to families and communities.
5. Raise awareness at all levels through advocacy and social mobilisation to create a supportive environment for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
    

The next section contains key cross-cutting principles for programming and are supported by additional sections on:

• Children's rights
• Children's participation
• Action on stigma and discrimination

There are ten key cross-cutting principles that should underpin all work with children affected by AIDS and other vulnerable children.

1. Rights based. The rights of children should be respected and promoted. Children should be protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect at all times. The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration for actions affecting children. Children should have access to meaningful processes for participation.
2. Evidence-based action. Policies and programmes for children’s well-being should be evidence based and informed by continuous learning to improve results. 
3. Gender responsive. All aspects of programming must consider gender issues to make sure that the different needs of boys and girls are appropriately addressed at their various developmental stages. Within HIV/AIDS-affected communities, women and girls often face a disproportionate level of risk and vulnerability, so their needs and rights must be given particular attention. 
4. Age-specific and inclusive. Support to children must be inclusive and recognise the common needs of all children. But it must also be aware of the needs of those at special risk, such as children with disabilities, children of marginalised groups, and street and working children. Support should also be age appropriate.
5. The meaningful involvement of people living with HIV. Men, women, girls and boys living with HIV and AIDS should be meaningfully involved in all aspects of programming.
6. Culturally sensitive. Activities must be sensitive to cultural and religious values. They should reinforce or include community norms that strengthen safe, loving and secure environments for children, while attempting to change beliefs and practices that harm children.
7. Collaboration and partnerships/A coordinated response/Harmonisation of response. Joined-up and integrated programming has the greatest impact, so identifying and coordinating multi-sectoral responses is essential. Improving coordination between ministries and clarifying their roles can contribute to more effective policies and programming for vulnerable children. Planning together with communities is also vital and makes sure that community efforts or coping mechanisms are supported and strengthened. Networks and forums should be supported to create more harmonised interventions.
8. Equity. Equal provision of quality services to children and families in education, health and social protection is a fundamental responsibility of the state.
9. A family-centred response. Children are best supported in and through their families and communities. Programmes should strengthen families, whether the head of household is an ill or widowed parent, an elderly grandparent or a young person. Strong families are able to provide better care and nurture children more effectively.
10. Programmes should be AIDS sensitive and not AIDS specific. Evidence shows that interventions targeting the poorest and most vulnerable families will effectively reach those affected by HIV and AIDS, and at the same time will not stigmatise and label.