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In February 2020 the COVID-19 virus started to spread in Europe. Since then our economies, societies, and daily lives have been turned upside down. This report reflects on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on children. It compiles information gathered from 25 countries across Europe, and provides recommendations for improving public policies in the short and long-term to support better outcomes for children and families. The assessment is accompanied by reflections on the 2020 European Semester. This report is based on information gathered until August/September 2020, and was released…
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on placing children in foster care. Our main research aims to explore the connections between the future orientation of disadvantaged young people living in residential care homes and foster families. In our pilot-study, we made it measurable by a comparative analysis of their study results. The sample consists of children raised in the child protection specialist and aftercare system of the Greek Catholic Child Protection Centre of Debrecen and Nyírség. The comparative analysis included 57 children and young people living in…
With COVID-19 causing widespread restrictions on movement in 2020, schools around the world were forced to close, risking major disruption to children's education. This Practitioner Guidance Paper shares the different approaches taken by three Family for Every Child Members to mitigate this disruption: moving to online learning for unaccompanied minors with METAdrasi in Greece; using the radio to provide far-reaching lessons with FOST in Zimbabwe; and engaging parents in their children's education using a socially-distanced homework collection system with CAP Liberia.
This…
Abstract
In post-war European societies, institutional protection of children at risk has prevailed in the area of child welfare policy. Since then, experience and research have highlighted the negative effects of this type of care on children’s cognitive, emotional and social development. However, care treatment in closed-type institutions, still seems to be the usual choice of several countries in the area of child protection. Greece is one of these countries, having an additional peculiarity: the operation of institutions for children at risk under the supervision of the Ministry of…
Abstract
Background
In settings of mass displacement, unaccompanied minors (UAMs) are recognized as a vulnerable group and consequently prioritized by relief efforts. This study examines how the interpretation of vulnerability by the national shelter system for male UAMs in Greece shapes their trajectories into adulthood.
Methods and findings
Between…
Abstract
The current literature review provides a conceptual and empirical framework for understanding child institutional maltreatment. The challenges and vulnerabilities of children placed in alternative residential care are being addressed. Research findings highlight the adversities children experience within residential care. Evidently, although residential settings are meant to protect and promote the wellbeing of children in danger, they expose them to multiple risks including abusive experiences by peers and staff and eventually fuel the circle of abuse. Malpractices within care…
Abstract: Although lacking in official figures, latest reports from NGOs highlight that Greece has over 85 institutional settings that house more than 2,500 children, excluding unaccompanied minors entering the system continuously for the past few years. Given the impact that institutional care has been found to have on psychological and cognitive outcomes, the authors make the case for the adaptation of Early Childhood Child Care HOME (EC-CC-HOME) a world-renowned instrument that assesses children’s child-care environment. In this instance, we have adapted the child-care version of HOME to…
Abstract
The present study addressed institutionalised children and staff members' perspectives about bullying in Residential Care settings (RCs) in five European countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and Romania.). Interviews and focus groups were conducted respectively with 123 institutionalised children and adolescents (age range: 6–18) and staff members (N = 95; age range: 23-63). Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data. Overall, findings indicated that participants were not fully aware of the specific features of bullying. Children and…
The Opening Doors 2018 country factsheets provide an update about the progress with the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care (also known as deinstitutionalisation). The new generation of country snapshots covers 12 EU Member States, 2 EU pre-accession and 2 EU neighbouring countries. This factsheet highlights the developments and challenges still ahead in Greece and offers key recommendations to the EU and the national government to ensure that children are cared for in family-based settings.
Abstract
Background: Institutionalization is increasingly acknowledged as a poor policy for the children. Every country has important responsibilities concerning the protection and promotion of children’s rights who are already in alternative care. Even a relatively short institutional placement may have long term negative consequences on children’s well-being and adult life.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the language and psychosocial skills of Greek institutionalized children in comparison to family raised…