« Sure Start: Care Leavers' Integration Programme (2010-2013)

 

Context:

 

Anya, a care leaver from residential institution in Kyiv Oblast

Anya, 15, is a care leaver of a residential institution; she likes playing in a brass band and drawing.

 

Together with her friend Alla they share a tiny room equipped with a wardrobe and a table, where they take turns to do their homework.

 

Anya is uncertain about her future: her choice of profession is limited; it depends on the agreements that the internat has with educational institutions based on the availability of free places in existing student dormitories.

 

Every year youth leaving care face numerous problems trying to step into independent life. Children who spent their entire lives in orphanages, without outside contact experience great difficulties in finding work, accommodation and protecting their legal rights on their own.

 

Low levels of education, intellectual and social underdevelopment and professions which they did not choose themselves push care-leavers towards a  cycle of unemployment, crime, drugs, alcohol and yet more orphans.

 

Let down by the system and without the protection of family, care leavers like Anya are expected to cope with independence too early and with too little support.

 

Developing a model of social adaptation and professional integration for independent life for children out-of-home care - Sure Start in Ukraine

 

Objectives:

• Children and young people are more self-confident and have the social, communication and vocational skills necessary to make their first steps towards independence;
  
  
•  Professionals from leaving care services and other social support agencies are qualified enough to prepare and accompany young people from residential care to independence;
  
  
•  Leaving care services are set up in pilot sites and integrated into existing structures of local authorities and providing support to young people in transition.

Project pilot sites:

Bila Tserkva, Pereyaslav-Khmel'nytskyy; Fastiv cities, Vyshgorod, Tarashchanskyy rayons of Kyiv Oblast

 

Implementation:

• Swiss Foundation of the International Social Service
• Partnership for Every Child

Partner organizations:

• Kyiv Oblast State Administration
• Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports
• Kyiv Oblast State Administration
• City and rayon state administrations of pilot sites

Donors:

• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
• "Solidarité Internationale", Geneva Canton

Contact:
Swiss Foundation of the International Social Service 10, Rue A.-Vincent Case postal 1469 CH -1211 Geneve 1 Mont-Blanc t + 41 22 731 67 00 f + 41 22 731 67 65 ssi@ssiss.ch www.ssiss.ch	Partnership for Every Child 28, Kominterna St., 6th floor, 01032 Kyiv t + 38 044 359 02 10 f +38  044 359 02 11 info@p4ec.org.ua; www.everychild.org.ua