Deputy Ombudsman Dr. Jože Ruparčič attended a seminar of the European Network for Children's Rights (ENOC) on 3 and 4 June in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The participants dealt with the issue of caring for children from families who are unable to ensure their security and exercise their rights, as well as the issue of children whose parents are in prison.
They paid special attention to the issue of how to remove children from families where there is violence, neglect, or where parents are unable to take care of the children's needs or have abandoned parental care. They talked about the professional treatment of these children, the direct monitoring of the child in the foster family and the preparation of a plan for each child who comes from such a family.
The participants noted that foster care is a key service to provide temporary or long-term care for children who cannot remain with their biological families, but the foster care system faces various challenges that affect children's well-being. In quite a few countries, there are not enough foster carers, and they are also insufficiently or inappropriately trained, which can affect their readiness to deal with the complex needs of children. The stigmatisation and social perception faced by children in foster care is also significant. Frequent changes in foster homes can affect the emotional stability and development of children in foster families. Separation from siblings can cause additional emotional distress. Because of their traumatic experiences, these children need special care and therapeutic support. They may have difficulty adjusting at school and achieving academically because of previous experiences and frequent changes in environment.
Prolonged legal procedures to arrange foster care, adoption, or the return of a child to the biological family were also highlighted as problematic, which can cause uncertainty and stress for all involved. An obstacle to the effective functioning of the foster care system can also be poor coordination between various institutions and agencies.
Deputy Ombudsman Dr. Ruparčič, who is responsible for children's rights, pointed to the observance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which demands of the signatory states that in all procedures concerning children, the child's best interests must be the main guide. Addressing the challenges in foster care requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving training and support for foster carers, increasing financial resources, de-stigmatising and improving legal and bureaucratic efficiency. It is also important to ensure that the needs of children are at the centre of any efforts to improve the foster care system
the second day of the seminar, the participants noted that children whose parents are in prison face many unique challenges and hardships that affect their development, emotional state, and social inclusion. They experience emotional distress due to the separation from their parents, face negative stereotypes and stigma, which makes them feel isolated, and because of all this, they also have problems integrating into the school environment and creating friendships.
An important factor for families in which one of the parents has received a prison sentence is the loss of income, which can lead to financial problems for the family, the participants noted. Financial insecurity can have a negative impact on the stability of living and access to basic necessities. Stress and emotional distress have a negative impact on children's physical health, so providing children with psychological support and counselling to help them cope with emotional and psychological problems is essential.
The establishment of support groups, where children can meet peers who have similar experiences, was highlighted as a good practice. It is important to educate teachers and school counsellors about the special needs of these children so that they can provide them with better support and develop programmes that promote empathy and understanding among students. The participants agreed that society has an obligation to provide financial support to these families so that they can more easily cover basic living expenses.
They also concluded that it is necessary to encourage and facilitate visits and communication between children and incarcerated parents, if this is in the best interest of the child. Some good practice has been demonstrated in providing safe and supportive visiting environments where children and parents can maintain contact.
The participants agreed that supporting children whose parents are in prison requires a comprehensive approach that includes emotional, social, financial, and legal support. It is important that children are treated with empathy and understanding and that they are provided with a safe and stable environment that promotes their development and well-being.
