Social support for orphans and children deprived of parental care: Ukrainian innovations

Abstract

Modern European integration of Ukraine provides for the revision of the main guidelines in the state policy for creating conditions for satisfying the needs and interests of children, and realization of their rights. In particular, the main factor in the field of childhood protection is the focus on the upbringing of the child in the family environment, in support of the family; as an alternative, in the absence of parental care, to create a child-friendly environment. This orientation requires changes in the social support of orphans and children deprived of parental care. The purpose of the research. The aim of the study is to highlight and analyze certain aspects of Ukraine’s innovation activities regarding social support for orphans and children deprived of parental care; determine innovative features of social protection of Ukrainian children in terms of parental care absence. Methodology. The use of methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization revealed the main tendencies of innovative activity of the state authorities regarding orphans and children deprived of parental care. Results and practical meaning. It has been found out that the innovative development of the Ukrainian social support system for orphans and children deprived of parental care is due to positive world experience and focused on the protection of the best interests of the child and the satisfaction of their vital needs; reforming social protection system requires active involvement of the state and civil society institutions, aimed at the deinstitutionalization of placement of orphans and children deprived of parental care, and reorientation of the principles of financial support for families with adopted children; special attention is paid to cooperation with business representatives and international donors. The following basic vectors of social support for orphans and children deprived of parental care have been stated: modernization of algorithms for financing establishments of institutional type, approval of co-financing mechanisms from state and local budgets, and approval of state standards for social care for families with specified category of children. Prospects for further research. The study and analysis of regional programs of social support for orphans and children deprived of parental care in terms of decentralization and funding have been identified as promising.