A new mechanism has been introduced in Ukraine that allows candidates for adoption to take a child into a family before the court procedure is completed. This is the so-called ‘pre-adoption guardianship’. The Government made the decision upon the proposal of the Ministry of Social Policy. The initiative is being implemented as part of the strategy to ensure the right of every child to grow up in a family environment for 2024-2028.
Read also: Adoption of evacuated children: new opportunities and mechanisms
The mechanism stipulates that candidates can take the child into care until the final court decision on adoption. If the child is in Ukraine, the prospective parents submit an application to the children’s service at the child’s place of residence. If the service has a positive opinion and an application is submitted to the court, it makes a decision on temporary custody. After that, social protection authorities monitor the child’s living and upbringing conditions in the new family.
If the child is abroad, candidates apply to the children’s service at their place of residence after meeting the child. The Service decides on temporary custody and the child’s return to Ukraine to continue the adoption procedure. This decision is valid for three months and can be extended until a court decision is made. If the candidates do not apply to the court within this period, the guardianship is cancelled and the family is removed from the register.
Read also: Electronic cabinet of social services and adoption service launched in Ukraine
