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UNICEF's Regional
office web site for CEE/CIS
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The situation
Concerns about child protection approaches in CEE/CIS countries can largely be
traced back to the legacy of former communist rule. Systems and policies continue
to follow centralized planning and decision-making models; mindsets and professional
practices favour deficit models, including a medical-only approach to children
with disabilities and repressive practices for children in conflict with the
law.
There continues to be an over-reliance in the region
on institutional approaches to child protection. During a transition
period where most CEE/CIS countries have faced increased poverty and
socio-economic challenges, the placement of children in residential
institutions has become a first-line strategy to relieve family poverty
and distress. Child institutionalization is also a common response
to the new ranks of babies born to HIV-positive mothers as well as
the increasing number of HIV-positive children. The majority of children
growing up in public care in the region are so-called “social
orphans”—they have at least one parent alive and they come
from families who lack the resources and support to care and provide
for their children. All of these factors contribute to an increase
in the number of children placed in public care.
Regional Resources on Out of Home Care |
