Results of the Ministry of Social Policy's Activities in the First Half of the Year Regarding Ensuring Every Child's Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment

A child's right to a family is a state priority. The Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine, together with partners, is working to ensure that every Ukrainian child grows up in a caring family environment and that every family receives support in raising their children.

Below are the results of the Ministry's work in the first half of 2025 in line with the Strategy for Ensuring Every Child's Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment in Ukraine.

Launched the "Small Grants" project supporting 120 social service providers in communities

The Ministry of Social Policy, the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities, UNICEF, and ISAR Ednannia, with the support of the UK Government, launched the "Small Grants for Social Service Providers" project. Its main goal is to support and develop community-based services by engaging providers and enhancing their capacity.

The competition winners included 120 municipal and private service providers. Among the services to be provided to families with children under the project are resilience-building, daytime care for children with disabilities (subgroup A), support during inclusive education, temporary respite for parents caring for children with disabilities, social support for families in difficult circumstances, and more.

Expanded powers for communities

The Ministry transferred the authority to oversee adoption, foster family creation, and family-type children's homes from district state administrations to village and settlement councils. This enables child protection efforts to be carried out directly where the child resides — within the community.

Provided comfortable housing for over 120 large foster families

At the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Social Policy allocated UAH 833 million in subventions from the state budget to local budgets for purchasing housing for large foster families (family-type children's homes, FTCHs) caring for 5–10 children without parental care.

This year, the subvention was allocated for housing for over 120 such families, including 50 newly established ones and others displaced due to the war. As of July, 30 houses have already been purchased, with the procurement process ongoing. Thanks to an initiative by the Olena Zelenska Foundation and UNICEF, the homes will be fully equipped.

Housing for over 700 large foster families is planned to be purchased by 2029, with a total budget exceeding UAH 10 billion.

Resolved housing provision for newly established large foster families

From now on, if the living space owned by foster parent candidates is insufficient for establishing and operating an FTCH, the decision to create the FTCH will be made simultaneously with a decision on priority housing provision. The family must receive housing no later than six months after the FTCH's establishment.

Ensured support for children without parental care in small group homes (SGHs)

In 2025, the Ministry of Social Policy allocated UAH 12 million from the state budget for social assistance payments to orphaned children and children deprived of parental care placed in small group homes.

SGHs are an alternative care form where no more than 10 children are raised in a family-like environment with professional support. SGHs ensure individualized care for each child, promote socialization and independent living skills, and reduce the risk of institutional isolation. Currently, the Ministry supports the operation of 14 SGHs in Ukraine.

Introduced "guardianship to adoption," allowing prospective adoptive parents to take a child into their family before a court decision

"Guardianship to adoption" replaces temporary placement of a child with prospective adoptive parents. It provides better protection of the child's rights, as the guardian becomes their legal representative, and allows for social assistance payments for the child.

Enabled guardianship/custody arrangements for children evacuated abroad from institutions

The state has developed a mechanism for the return of children after evacuation. Under this mechanism, priority is given to placing the child in a family. Previously, children without parental care could only be placed in foster families, family-type children's homes, or adoptive families. Now, guardianship and custodial families have been added to this list.

Introduced "resettlement" assistance for children returning from TOT or after deportation

The state provides comprehensive support to children returning to government-controlled territory from temporarily occupied territories (TOT), forced displacement within TOT, or after deportation. Earlier this year, the Ministry approved a unified algorithm for child returns. Children also receive social support and necessary services for successful adaptation and reintegration. The new assistance of UAH 50,000 will help parents or legal representatives create suitable living conditions for the child in Ukraine.

Scaled up early intervention services

Currently, over 70 early intervention teams operate in Ukraine. As a result of scaling, more than 100 communities will receive state budget funding to provide this service.

This will facilitate early detection and prevention of developmental disorders in children, ensuring timely support and successful socialization. Each team is expected to serve about 30 families annually, helping approximately 3,300 families per year.

Introduced a new social service for comprehensive development and care of children with disabilities

The service aims to support social integration and development of children aged six and older who, due to health conditions, cannot attend general secondary education institutions full-time. Its main task is integrating the child into the educational process, fostering skill development and social integration. Under the project, social services are to be provided alongside educational ones. The pilot project will be funded by the state budget.

Approved a standard program for preventing violence and child abuse

This document is mandatory for all entities working with children and youth, including educational, cultural, healthcare, sports, recreational, social protection, and youth centers.

The program requires these entities to implement preventive measures, measures for detecting and responding to violence, awareness-raising and training measures, and monitoring and evaluation measures.

The Ministry also approved standard programs for children and others who have engaged in bullying and for children and others who have experienced or witnessed bullying. The first document focuses on changing violent behavior, fostering non-aggressive psychological models, and promoting accountability. The second aims to overcome emotional dependence, self-doubt, and build the ability to assert dignity and protect rights in personal relationships.

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