«No to orphancy! Systematic approach in working with children and families»

On November 7-8 Kyiv hosted the first international conference “No to orphancy! Systematic approach in working with children and families.” It was organized By Rinat Akhmetov’s Foundation “Development of Ukraine” together with Ukrainian public organization “Ukraine without orphans” supported by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on Children’s Rights.

Currently, about 24 thousand children are in state residential institutions. About 80% of boys and girls have biological parents, they are so-called social orphans.

Implementation of effective prevention of child abandonment and reforming orphanages – the participants (government and non-government agencies) set before themselves such basic tasks for children to grow up in families.

It is about improving the work of social workers as helpers, not family inspectors and developing a mechanism for effective partnership between the state and NGOs in the interests of children, developing and adopting new methods of providing social services.

“I have no doubt that there will be no orphanages in Ukraine. This discussion is finally determined by the Presidential Decree “On the National Strategy for prevention of child abandonment.” Yes, there is a problem with the desire of the orphanage system to protect itself against reforming. It is natural, because there are myths that orphanages will be closed. But the essence of reforming the orphanage system is the best interests of an individual child: orphanages should evolve into other forms of social institutions” – says the President’s Commissioner on Children’s Rights Yuri Pvavlenko.

According to him, the procedure of termination of parental rights has to become an extreme measure in case of violation of the child’s rights in the family. When reviewing this case, the court must not only assess the ability of parents to raise their children, but also examine what social services had done for family preservation.

Anatoly Zabolotny, Director of Rinat Akhmetov’s Foundation “Development of Ukraine” shared positive experience of quality work with families in Dnipropetrovsk region, where the “Families for Children” program is being implemented and Donetsk where “Let’s preserve the child’s family” project is carried out.

“Prevention of child abandonment is the main focus of 2013 both for state and public organizations. The results of this work will reduce abandonment, reduce deprivation of parental rights and, consequently, reduce the number of children in return institutions, as well as encourage return of children from orphanages to their biological family. At the same time the Fund enters the active phase of reforming the orphanage system, transforming the services for children and families and establishment of Family Support Centers in orphanages, retraining of staff, and if necessary – closure of institutions” – he stressed.

Yukie Mokuo, the Head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) noted that institutionalization of children (placement in the residential system) is not limited to social orphancy only.

“This applies to children with disabilities, children with HIV, children in conflict with the law. I’d like to emphasize – these children have the same rights. It will be a difficult road. But I’m sure Ukraine will become the champion in children’s rights protection” – said the expert.

Alexander Hezalov, social activist, international expert on child abandonment believes that division of government institutions and civil society organizations is the main problem in addressing the social issues.

“The European experience clearly shows us that separately we will solve this problem each in his corner, instead of uniting and beginning to cooperate for the good of families, children and the state as a whole. By combining efforts and resources, the state and the public, supported by the media, could fundamentally solve the issue of social disadvantage and the issue of child abandonment. Working together is much more efficient.”

In addition, the following questions were discussed during the conference: support for families raising adopted children, foster children, expansion of the families who will be able to count on government support, helping children affected by domestic violence, providing orphans with housing, cross-sectoral collaboration in implementation of new social services for families with children.

We’d like to remind that on October 22 of this year the President of Ukraine signed the Decree “On national strategy of preventing social orphancy” through 2020, aimed at reducing the number of orphans and children deprived of parental care, extending the range of professionals who work with family by bringing the support of social and rehabilitation services of NGOs and other non-governmental institutions.

Participants of the conference: representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy, Office of the Commissioner of the President on children’s rights, specialists of services for children, social services for families, children and youth, representatives of civil and religious organizations. They came to a conclusion that this meeting was a unique opportunity to discuss practical problems and exchange national and international experience in strategy, approved by the President.

Source: Sirotstvy.net