Key points
- The Cabinet of Ministers has supported a bill on the reform of child protection and care in families.
- Child services will operate around the clock and respond faster to signals about children in danger.
- Clearer distinction will be made between the powers of authorities, guardianship, and child services.
- From 2027, new forms of family upbringing will be created only as foster families.
- Large and specialized foster families will be provided with equipped housing and a foster parent assistant.
- The bill streamlines the “Children” system, correctional programs for parents, and the work of child protection centers.
The Cabinet of Ministers has supported a bill that changes the rules for protecting children and caring for them in families, according to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine. This updates the entire child protection system.
Now it will be clearer who is responsible for what – authorities, local self-government, guardianship, or child services. The state will strengthen control over the observance of children’s rights, and new requirements will be imposed on services – both on personnel and material support.
One of the main changes is that child services will operate around the clock. This means that they will respond faster to signals about a child in danger.
The rules for protecting the right of a child to live in a family are also being updated. It will be clearer what to do if a child is temporarily placed elsewhere, left in a hospital, or taken away from their family due to a threat to their life or health. More attention will be paid to the child’s opinion when making decisions.
From 2027, new foster families and other forms of family upbringing will be created only as foster families. Existing family-type children’s homes will continue to operate as before.
They plan to create separate foster families for children who need special care, as well as review how many children can be raised in one foster family.
Families with five or more children, as well as specialized foster families, will be provided with equipped housing by the state. In addition, a foster parent assistant will be able to help with childcare.
The bill also streamlines the work of the “Children” information system, defines correctional programs for parents as a regular social service, and consolidates the work of child protection centers – where children will receive help from several specialists at once.
Read also:
Government launches simplified ‘White Passport’ for those born in occupied territories
