The government has improved procedures for establishing and operating foster families and family-type children's homes

At the proposal of the Ministry of Social Policy, the Government has approved important amendments to several resolutions governing the establishment and operation of foster families and large foster families (family-type children's homes – FTCH).

Decisions on establishing foster families and FTCH will now be made by executive committees of village and settlement councils instead of district state administrations

The authority to establish and support foster families and family-type children's homes is being transferred to communities, as child protection activities should be carried out as close as possible to the child and family.

Within 60 days of the resolution taking effect:

• district state administrations must transfer all documents regarding the operation of foster families and FTCH to village and settlement councils, along with copies of decisions on termination of their operation;
• village/settlement councils must take measures to adopt decisions on the operation of these foster families and FTCH in their territory and conclude contracts with foster parents.

Foster parents must submit two applications:

• to the district state administration – for termination of the foster family/FTCH;
• to the executive committee of the village/settlement council in the community where they reside – for continuation of the family's operation in the community.

Housing provision for newly established FTCH has been regulated

If the living space owned by candidate foster parents is insufficient for establishing and proper functioning of an FTCH (as determined during housing inspection), the decision to establish an FTCH is made simultaneously with a decision on priority housing provision. For this, candidate foster parents must submit a written request (in free form) for housing needs to the authority making the establishment decision. This authority must provide housing no later than 6 months after FTCH establishment.

(The Ministry reminds that state budget subventions are allocated to local budgets for housing purchases for large foster families. This year, the Ministry has distributed such subventions for housing for over 120 families, including 50 newly established ones. By 2029, plans are to provide housing for over 700 FTCHs).

It is also established that for FTCHs created in rented housing during martial law, the rental agreement term can be 3 years instead of five. A family-type children's home may operate in rented housing only until it is provided with a equipped house or multi-room apartment.

A foster family may be established in rented housing if a 3-year lease agreement is concluded. The establishing authority must assess the family's financial capacity to pay rent.

Children from other regions may now be placed in foster families and family-type children's homes

If there are no children in the community who can be placed in a family, the family may request a referral to meet a child from the children's services of their oblast, other oblasts, or the State Children's Service.

Consent for placing a child from another region must be confirmed by certificates from two children's services: the oblast and the community where the family operates.

Children evacuated within Ukraine may be placed in foster families/FTCHs in the region where they currently reside.

When placing a child from another community into a foster family or FTCH, the establishing authority and the guardianship authority at the child's primary registration location may conclude an inter-community cooperation agreement on family support (housing arrangement, meeting the child's medical, rehabilitation, health needs, etc.).

Tags: