According to the statistics of the non-governmental organisation Úsmev ako dar, only 11 % of parents do not want to raise their children, 35 % cannot for a number of reasons, and 55 % want to, but do not know how to do it
Deinstitutionalisation is one of the key reforms in the protection of childhood, and at the same time, a complex, comprehensive, and intersectoral process, the final goal of which is to ensure the child’s right to a family.
Deinstitutionalisation (DI) is a reform for children, not for adults
First of all, it’s about the biological (native) family. The readiness of the family to raise children is formed long before people become parents.
Therefore, the DI reform is about prevention (from sexual education of potential parents to early detection of risks during pregnancy and in the first days of a child’s life).
The biological family should have a chance, which is enhanced by social support of specialists, school, support of relatives, psychologists, neighbours, etc.
‘In cases where children lose their families, due to the inability of parents to cope with life’s challenges, the state and the community should help them with the challenges so that the child can return to the family. If the child does not yet have the status of an orphan or a child deprived of parental care, they can live in a foster family for up to six months.
After the child receives the status, they can be placed under the care of relatives, in a foster family, or in a family-type orphanage. The child may also be adopted.
When we are looking for ways to provide a child with the opportunity to live in a family (and this is not only about finding a family form, it is often about systemic psychosocial support for the child and parents-educators, preparation of the school environment, work with a psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, speech therapist, etc.), then we think about the child. There are cases where for us adults, the only visible solution is to place the child in an institutional care facility. This position is a position ‘from the child’ because then we ensure the interests of adults. The institution will never be a place where a child would want to spend their childhood, but may be the only experience a child has.
Disability, special educational needs of the child, lack of guardianship and care skills in adults are not children’s problems, they are problems of adults who create a system of child protection in close connection’, says Marianna Kaspryshyn, Programme Director of the Ukrainian Education Platform.
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