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This article describes the changes in institutional care in the Czech Republic that were ushered in with the acceptance of the law on the execution of institutional or protective upbringing in 2002. Particularly, it describes the new types of care that emerged after the adoption of this new law, including diagnostic institutions, children's homes, children's homes with school, educational institutions, and more. The article also describes efforts underway in the country to help youth aging out of care to transition to independent living. This includes halfway houses and…
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Experiences of abuse and violence have devastating consequences for children, and in some cases, these consequences are lifelong. Loss of trust, feelings of rejection and abandonment, trauma, fear, anxiety, insecurity, and shattered self-esteem are just some of the impacts of ill-treatment on the wellbeing of children. Consequences are far-reaching, extending well into adulthood, and they include increased prevalence of mental health issues, a higher likelihood of experiencing violence from a wider range of perpetrators and high socio-economic impacts and costs. Further,…
Abstract
In the event of the breakdown of the original family, institutional care has for many decades been the preferred alternative to family substitute care or aid to the original family. The origins of this practice can be traced to the 1950s, when foster families were cancelled by the communist regime and the ideology of collective upbringing triumphed. The objective of this essay is to determine how substitute child care in the Czech Republic has changed in the last ten years. The unfortunate practice of giving preference to institutional care in the event of the breakdown of the…
This country care review includes the care-related Concluding Observations adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Committees' recommendations on the issues relevant to children's care are highlighted, as well as other care-related concluding observations, ratification dates, and links to the Universal Periodic Review and Hague Intercountry Adoption Country Profile.
Background
The Transformative Monitoring for Enhanced Equity (TransMonEE) Database captures a vast range of data relevant to social and economic issues relevant to the situation and wellbeing of children, young people and women in countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The database is updated every year, thanks to the collaboration of National Statistical Offices (NSOs).
NSOs that are part of the TransMonEE regularly come together in network meetings with the aim of strengthening collaboration and enhancing the quality and usefulness of national data on key indicators of child…
In this article, the author offers a response to the recommendations made to the government of the Czech Republic by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Despite the clear recommendations of the Committee to end the practice of baby boxes, the Czech government has not yet implemented a ban on baby boxes or provided alternative measures. The baby boxes were initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs but the Ministry has not regulated the abandonment of infants or the appropriate protection of their rights in compliance with international treaties and commitments…
This report presents a summary of progress in Lumos’ first three country demonstration programmes – the Republic of Moldova, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. The report focuses on the macro picture of systems change – presenting important indicators of success.
The report measures the reduction of numbers of children in institutions and the rise in the number of children in foster care in the demonstration programme locales in each of the three countries. The report also highlights other key developments at the national and local levels, such as the increase in inclusive education, the…
This report presents the findings from a two-year peer research project which includes the testimony of more than 300 young people with care experience in Albania, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Poland. Their collective understanding of the leaving care process directly informed both the findings and policy recommendations contained in the report. More than 40 care leavers from the four countries were selected and trained to play an active role in the all aspects of the projects, from designing the questionnaire to conducting the interviews, analyzing the…
Article 7 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) states that every child has “the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.” When a child is abandoned, this right is violated. Infants and young children are those most at risk of being abandoned There is a distinct lack of research in understanding the extent, causes, and consequences of child abandonment. Such studies are essential in order to develop effective prevention programs and strategies aimed at protecting children most vulnerable in the European society.
This comprehensive manual provides an overview of…
This report assesses how far the SCEP Statement of Good Practice and relevant international obligations are met in 11 countries of Central Europe and the Baltic States, in relation to specific issues: the definition of a “separated child”, access to the territory, identification, the appointment of a guardian or adviser, registration and documentation, age assessment, freedom from detention, the right to participate, family tracing and contact, family reunification in a European country, interim care, health, education and training, the refugee determination process and durable or long-term…