Protecting the rights of children deprived of parental care, placing them in orphanages who have lost their parents and deprived of parental care

Working with children placed in orphanages who have lost their parents and are deprived of parental care

The body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority ensures the personal, educational, and socio-cultural development of a child placed in an institution for children who have lost their parents or  are deprived of parental care. It also determines the possibility of transferring the child to family-based care and prepares an individual development plan, taking into account the child’s age, health status, wishes and interests, abilities, and other characteristics.

When preparing an individual development plan, the opinion of a child who has reached the age of seven shall be taken into account. If the child has a parent or relatives, their participation in the preparation of the individual development plan shall also be ensured.

The head of the institution where the child resides is obliged to assist the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority in both preparing and implementing the individual development plan.

When the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority determines, as a result of implementing an individual development plan, that it is possible for a child to return to his or her family or relatives, a family development plan shall be prepared to assess the child’s situation in the family, including his or her mental, physical, and psychological health. The authority shall conduct monitoring of the family at least once every quarter for a period of one year after the child’s return.

If, as a result of monitoring conducted after the child’s return to the family, it is established that there is an immediate threat to the child’s health or life, the body (institution) designated by the relevant executive authority shall immediately remove the child from the family, place him or her in an institution, and notify the prosecutor. Within ten (10) working days from the date of the child’s placement, the designated body (institution) may apply to the court with a claim for deprivation or restriction of parental rights.