In this Q&A, Olena Remen, head of the expert group on family-based forms of upbringing and adoption at the Coordination Center for the Development of Family-Based Care and Education in Ukraine discusses the regional implementation of the country's four-year strategy to prioritize family-based care.

Lack of adequate housing, welfare reforms and families lacking access to public funds adding to pressures on children's services in England, according to an Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) survey.

Using group-based trajectory modelling on Swedish children born 1990–1999, this study identified six distinct patterns of out-of-home care placements that varied in onset, duration, and type. Findings show greater parental disadvantage among children entering care earlier, highlighting the need for early intervention and family-centred prevention strategies.

An analysis of 14 national foster care policies across six European countries found that while most acknowledge children’s cultural, ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, they provide little concrete guidance on ensuring relational and cultural continuity—particularly for children with migrant backgrounds. The study highlights four policy patterns, including prioritizing adult over peer relationships, emphasizing parental contact over extended family or transnational ties, assuming Western cultural norms, and struggling to balance immediate care needs with maintaining cultural and relational connections.

Un aspect esențial al misiunii CTWWC, constă în acumularea și prezentarea evidențelor ce vizează reforma sistemului de îngrijire, în special aspectele referitoare la tranziția copiilor din îngrijirea rezidențială și reintegrarea în propriile familii sau plasamentul în îngrijire alternativă de tip familial și prevenirea separării sau reseparării copiilor de familie. Astfel, pentru acumularea informațiilor concludente, CTWWC a efectuat un sondaj al gospodăriilor în rândul familiilor care au beneficiat de suport în cadrul inițiativei, cu scopul de a informa autorităților publice și practicienii care activează în acest domeniu.

В Україні вперше особи, які перебували в інституційних установах, а також ті, хто має досвід сімейного догляду, об’єдналися та узгодили спільну позицію щодо реформування системи догляду та підтримки дітей, у тому числі розвитку програм підтримки дітей-сиріт та дітей, позбавлених батьківського піклування.

In Ukraine, for the first time, individuals who have experienced institutional care, as well as those who have experience with family-based care, have united and agreed upon a common position regarding the reform of the child care and support system, including the development of programs to support orphaned children and children deprived of parental care.

The Conference is designed as a two-day event, targeting key groups such as administration of justice, children deprived of liberty and professionals who work with them, children on the move, children in institutions and children detained in the context of armed conflict.

A turning point in the campaign to close Romania’s dungeon-like orphanages and cruel homes for the disabled came with the shutting of Camin Spital, a grim block near the Ukrainian border with bars on the windows to stop people from jumping to their deaths.

This country care profile provides an overview of key lessons learned in the children’s care reform process in Moldova, including successes, challenges and areas for progress, and gaps in learning and best practice.