Displaying 21 - 30 of 32
In this article, a Human Rights Watch researcher describes her personal experiences meeting adults and children in the Western Balkans who have spent their lives hidden away in institutions because they have a disability. These individuals are often subject to abuse, forced medical treatments, and limited freedom of movement. Children are especially vulnerable to abuse and suffer physical, emotional and intellectual delays as a result of isolation and neglect. The authors calls not only on governments to work towards deinstitutionalization, but on all people to end the pervasive…
From December 2007 to August 2010, Save the Children UK implemented a project intended to improve the quality of child protection systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to reduce overall vulnerability and poverty for children receiving services within those systems. In the early stages of the project, two working groups were established to develop the standards for child protection within Bosnia and Herzegovina. After completing the assessment phase and identifying priority needs in the field, the working groups identified five areas within child protection to focus on: 1.) Foster care…
In this paper, Save the Children International reviews the implementation of the UN Guidelines on the Alternative Care of Children in the Western Balkan Countries of Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report reviews the current situation and accomplishments in the process of reforming the child welfare systems in these countries. The paper offers a regional perspective and recommendations for decision makers, practitioners, and other interested parties for further development of the child welfare system in accordance with the UN guidelines on alternative care and in…
This report from SOS Children’s Villages and the University of Bedfordshire provides reviews and assessments of the implementation of the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children in 21 countries around the world. The report is aimed at enhancing knowledge around violence against children in alternative care (especially what makes children vulnerable and what puts them at risk) and providing policymakers and practitioners insight into the challenges of protecting children from violence as well as recommendations for change.
The report offers several key findings from an extensive…
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Hope and Homes for Children has been implementing ACTIVE Family Support in Sarajevo Canton in BiH since 2003. The program consists of two elements: the prevention of separation of children from their parents as the primary focus, and the reintegration of separated children from institutions back into their biological families. This unique and holistic program is tailored to the individual needs of each child and family and it is built on the following core values: partnership, respect, inclusion, sustainability and the best interest of the child.…
Over the course of the week the consultation examined just about every aspect of child care reform in South Eastern Europe with a view to reaching a consensus about a way forward.
It was a motivating and energizing experience. It was clear Governments in this region have thrown off the shackles of the past, and are embracing world’s best practice for their social welfare systems. As they say we have come a long way in a few short years.
On this site you can access the consultation’s…
This report, prepared for the Social Transition Team of the USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia (E&E), is the result of a study of promising practices in community-based care for vulnerable groups conducted in five countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Romania, and Russia) in the E&E Region between September 2004 and March 2005. Of particular interest is how these countries are moving from residential care to family-focused, community care models utilizing internationally recognized standards for children and youth, elderly, disabled, and minority groups (with an emphasis on Roma…
The current Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, has written a letter expressing concern about the placement of children with disabilities in institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to this article from the Sarajevo Times. "I am concerned that children with disabilities continue to be placed in institutions for social care throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina due to the lack of adequate support to the families that would allow them to bring these children up at home, as well as of the necessary conditions to implement a better reconciliation of family and…
To facilitate Barnahus and similar setups to hear about how children experience their service, PROMISE has developed a Child Participation Tool. The tool focuses on the child’s experience of Barnahus, including the travel to Barnahus, their experience in Barnahus, coming home from Barnahus and potential follow up or mid-to-long term treatment in Barnahus or by a mobile Barnahus team.
Join this webinar to walk through the tool with the author Olivia Lind Haldorsson, and to discuss with European colleagues about approaches and considerations for soliciting children’s views on their…