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« Preventing Separation of Children through Implementation of Gate-keeping Mechanism
EveryChild Ukraine is piloting a gate-keeping mechanism - an innovative method of child protection. EveryChild Ukraine is working at many different levels with a range of key stakeholders to implement this work.
This includes working with the government for policy reform, working with service providers to improve and capacity build on existing services, innovating new services at the community level to prevent children from entering institutional care, improving information and lesson sharing between different service providers and raising awareness with communities and government of the harmful effects of institutional care.
Project duration: 2007-2011Project Goal:
The goal of the project is to develop a replicable model of gate-keeping and community-based services for children and families in Kyiv Oblast which demonstrates a 30% reduction in the number of children in institutional care.
Project Objectives:
1. The policy and legislative framework is improved so that support to families is prioritized and access to institutional care for children is limited;
Expected Outcomes:
1.1. Strategy on introduction of gate-keeping mechanism developed and suggestions submitted to relevant governmental bodies.
1.2. The legislative framework in the sphere of childcare is regularly reviewed and necessary changes to legal acts developed.
1.3. Developed and adopted legal regulations at oblast and rayon levels which prevent placement of children in institutions without provision of available services within community.
2. The risk of child and family separation in Kyiv Oblast is reduced as a result of increased availability and integration of family-centered social services in local communities;
Expected Outcomes:
2.1. Integrated social services developed in 10 more rayons/cities of Kyiv Oblast.
2.2. Guidelines developing of different components of integrated social services for vulnerable families and children prepared for local governmental officials and adopted.
2.3. A model of short-term and emergency placement of children developed and piloted in 2 pilot sites.
2.4. A cadre of social workers (at least 40 managers and social workers and 10 village social workers) in 10 rayons/cities has been trained and supported.
2.5. Information on new services and project developments is regularly produced and widely disseminated in Kyiv oblast and across Ukraine.
3. Innovative social work practice is introduced and used with families and children as a result of training staff in agencies responsible for child care and protection;
Expected Outcomes:
3.1.The Kyiv Oblast Centre is equipped and delivering trainings for representatives of social sphere agencies.
3.2. A range of methodological materials for training is developed and published as well as incorporated in the University curricula.
3.3. At least 120 social workers, managers of social services and representatives of other service providers for families with children trained to deliver/improve their delivery of social services over 3 years.
4. Co-ordination and quality of decision-making is improved through capacity building of key officials and decision-makers at national and local levels;
Expected Outcomes:
4.1. Training curricula and modules on interagency cooperation and multi-disciplinary approach developed and trainings organized for local government in Kyiv oblast.
4.2. The work of Coordination Council on Childhood Protection in Kyiv oblast is supported and recommendations drafted for inter-agency cooperation at national level
4.3. Representatives of Centres of Social Services and Services for Children from 10 other oblasts of Ukraine are trained in the gate-keeping mechanism and in inter-agency cooperation.
5. Existing information systems are improved so that national, regional and local level data is available and supports effective planning, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that services are targeted to respond to the local needs of children in jeopardy and vulnerable families.
Expected Outcomes:
5.1. An information system for monitoring of stock and flow of children in care and children and families at risk developed and piloted in Kyiv Oblast.
5.2. Service for Children personnel trained in data collection and information analysis.
5.3. Proposals for changes of statistics on children in jeopardy at national level developed and submitted to Ministry of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sport.
Total budget of the project is: 244 550 USD