Growing up in Lockdown: Europe's Children in the Age of COVID-19

Home , 2018 in Romania, Lockdown (2006), Lockdown (Lost)

Growing up in lockdown: Europe’s children in the age of COVID-19 2020 Eurochild Report

#PuttingChildrenFirst Eurochild advocates for children’s rights and well-being to be at the heart of policy making. We are a network of organisations working with and for children throughout Europe, striving for a society that respects the rights of children. We influence policies, build internal capacities, facilitate mutual learning and exchange practice and research. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the foundation of all our work.

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November 2020. Digital release only. For more information, contact: Réka Tunyogi Head of Advocacy, Eurochild [email protected] 3 |

Summary of Contents findings ��6 Policy recommendations ��14

Country Belgium ��18 Ireland ��93 profiles �� 17 Bulgaria ��22 Italy ��99 Croatia ��27 Latvia ��103 Cyprus ��32 Malta ��108 Czechia ��35 Netherlands ��114 Denmark ��41 Poland ��122 England ��50 Portugal ��127 Estonia ��57 Romania ��134 Finland ��64 Serbia ��139 France ��72 Slovakia ��144 Statistics Germany ��78 Slovenia ��149 explained ��159 Greece ��81 Spain ��153 Hungary ��87 4 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester Introduction In February 2020 the COVID-19 virus started to spread in Europe. Since then our economies, societies, and daily lives have been turned upside down. This report reflects on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on children. It compiles information gathered from 25 countries across Europe, and provides recommendations for improving public policies in the short and long-term to support better outcomes for children and families. The assessment is accompanied by reflections on the 2020 European Semester. This report is based on information gathered until August/September 2020, and was released in November 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing problems of social inequality, with job losses pushing many families further into poverty and school closures creating a wider educational divide, impacting children’s life chances, and their physical and mental health. It has exposed the lack of national policies to tackle poverty, particularly child poverty, and drawn attention to the need for a multi- dimensional approach. As a result, Eurochild and its members are calling for recovery plans that take children’s needs into account, for national plans to reduce poverty, and for targeted support from the EU, including through implementation of an EU Child Guarantee. 5 | Acknowledgements

This report is based on assessments Central Union for Child Welfare - Romania (Romania); Network of provided by 42 Eurochild members Finland (Finland); CNAPE - National Organisations for Children of Serbia in 25 countries. These are: Child Federation of Association for Child - MODS, Mental Disability Rights Rights Coalition Flanders, Maud Protection France, Nexem France Initiative-Serbia - MDRI (Serbia); Stiernet (Belgium); National Network (France); Arbeitsgemeinschaft Coalition for Children Slovakia of Children Bulgaria - NNCB, For für Kinder- und Jugendhilfe - AGJ (Slovakia); Slovenian NGO Network Our Children Foundation Bulgaria (Germany); The Smile of the Child, ZIPOM (Slovenia); Plataforma de - FOCFB, Hope and Homes for Roots Research Centre Greece Organizaciones de Infancia, FICE Children Bulgaria - HHCB, - CEDAR (Greece); Family, Child, Youth Spain (Spain). Foundation; Social Activities and Association, Hintalovon Foundation Practice Institute - SAPI, SOS Hungary (Hungary); Children’s We are very grateful to: all Eurochild Children Villages Bulgaria (Bulgaria); Rights Alliance Ireland, EPIC members who contributed through FICE Croatia, Coordination of Empowering People In Care Ireland the 2020 questionnaires and Associations for Children (Croatia); (Ireland); Fondazione L’Albero della follow-up feedback; the Policy and Pancyprian Coordinating Committee Vita (Italy); Latvian Child Welfare Advocacy Team of Eurochild, in for the Protection and Welfare of Network (Latvia); Malta Foundation particular Réka Tunyogi for overall Children (Cyprus); Alliance for the for the Wellbeing of Society – MFWS, coordination and supervision, Rights of the Child, DCI Czechia, Foundation for Social Welfare Zuzana Konradova and Enrico Big Dipper North (Czechia); Services - FSWS (Malta); Dutch Tormen for practical coordination, Joint Council for Child Issues - NGO Coalition on Children’s Rights drafting and proofreading; Anastesia Børnesagens Fællesråd, Geert (the Netherlands); Polish Foster Mondesir and Iulita Osichenko for Jorgensen (Denmark); Children's Care Coalition - PFCC (Poland); their drafting; Sara Hammerton Rights Alliance for England – CRAE Fundação Nossa Senhora do Bom for editing and proofreading; and (England); Estonian Union for Child Sucesso, Sérgio Araújo (Portugal); Emmanuelle de Castillon from Page Welfare – Lastekaitse Liit (Estonia); Hope and Homes for Children - HHC in Extremis for design. 6 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester 1. Summary of findings 1.1. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children in Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic has during the lockdown led inevitably school provides. For children already between regions. Latvia said imposed a huge strain on Europe’s to increased anxiety and mental living in poverty it meant increased schools were just not prepared for social and economic fabric, often health problems, a concern raised hunger if they missed out on free distance learning, while in Romania exposing inherent weaknesses, with in the reports for Bulgaria, Denmark, school meals. Parents of school-age a shocking 32% of children had no far-reaching effects, including on England, Estonia, Finland, France, children had to home-school their access to online learning. Slovenia children’s well-being. Romania, Slovenia and Portugal. The children, often while also working and Spain reported similar problems. report describes how children with from home. The job losses that followed the no history of behavioural problems, The work of civil society onset of the pandemic put more are having trouble sleeping and are Home schooling highlighted the organisations (CSOs) supporting families at risk of poverty, as many becoming increasingly aggressive. educational divide and the digital children in vulnerable situations of the country reports underlined, The Latvia report noted that during divide. Many parents struggle to became more difficult. As the including Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, lockdown health services for children support their children’s learning, England report points out, lockdown Italy and Slovenia. Food poverty were not available, even in the most particularly those with a low level impeded the ability of professionals in particular became more acute, serious situations. of education themselves. Most to reach children in the most a problem starkly illustrated in the education was delivered online while vulnerable situations, with issues Italy report which describes the Sadly, those pressures led to an schools were closed, but many low going undetected. At the same time situation in a district of Palermo with increase in domestic violence, as income families are not equipped CSOs often faced reduced funding, an increasing number of robberies many country reports mentioned, with computers, and often parents while the need for their services at local supermarkets by people including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, do not have the necessary technical increased. Cyprus, the Czechia, whose children were seriously at risk Estonia, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, skills. Teachers also had to adapt Denmark, Latvia, France, Italy and of starving. Portugal and Slovenia. to delivering lessons on line, and Spain were among the countries to their own technical skills and the mention problems of this nature. The combination of financial stress, School closures caused additional support they received varied greatly. uncertainty over the future, and stress for children who missed the In Estonia there was big difference families being confined to the home social contact and structure that in the supply of support services Summary of findings | 7

1.2. The impact of the pandemic on children in alternative care

Out of 25 country profiles 20 also alternative care. Belgium pointed about what should happen if any Most community support centres looked at the situation of children out that not being allowed to go child was ill, e.g. how to proceed, for families with children with in alternative care. As mentioned outside for weeks impacted heavily whether they should be tested, or if disabilities were closed and the before there was heightened risk on children’s mental well-being. there should be any communication parents became overburdened for children in precarious family At the same time, however, their with their birth family, members from when they had to take care of situations caused by financial supervisors went in and out with Bulgaria and Poland highlighted. children alone. The children still pressures and domestic violence. all the associated risks. Czechia’s feel the consequences of the lack As a consequence, it is estimated report sums up the problems In Portugal, children who were of adequate support. On the other that the number of children entering faced: “All children had to stay in placed in alternative care had to hand, children who remained in alternative care will grow, in some the facility for the whole time which enter the institution alone and could institutions could not be visited by countries such as Greece, Hungary, meant an enormous increase in not be accompanied and helped their parents. Romania and Slovakia by as much work for the professionals in these by their case manager. The child as 30%. institutions. The need for extra staff had to take the COVID-19 test and In the absence of sufficient was not met by the authorities so even with a negative result, it was government support, NGOs often The impact of the COVID-19 crisis other organisations had to provide compulsory to isolate for 14 days. stepped in to help fill in the gaps, was felt just as keenly, if not more support. Education had to be After intervention of civil society for example to help with online so, by children in out-of-home care. provided on line which staff were organisations this measure was learning. Their involvement could be The children badly missed outside not always equipped to deal with. … abolished. made difficult however, for example contact during lockdown, notably Two months of social isolation led in Serbia where civil society actors access to school, sports and other to many conflicts.” There was no Just as parents in family homes experienced significant challenges. outside facilities, and worse still their or very limited capacity to provide struggled with home schooling, NGO participation in decision- own families. Being confined to their mental-health services to children staff in residential facilities do not making on national and local levels residential setting creates strains for who needed them. necessarily have the teaching skills, in response to the crisis significantly both children and staff, with disputes digital skills or equipment needed shrunk and all measures were taken breaking out and mental health The Finland report pointed to the to support online education. The without the involvement of civil suffering. lack of guidelines for carers in this reports from Czechia, Hungary society. situation. In Greece the Research and Romania, among others, also The reports from Bulgaria, Czechia, Roots Centre explains how children noted the lack of guidelines for staff, The need to step up Denmark, Estonia and France were living in residential settings became and the lack of personal protective deinstitutionalisation (DI) reforms among those to highlight the stress “invisible” during the corona virus equipment. for children in the care system the situation caused children in crisis. There was no information was mentioned in many of the 8 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester reports, but rarely in a positive light. there is no deinstitutionalisation template. NGOs have stepped in for Migration (IOM). However, there Moreover, in response to COVID-19 reform in the country, while in with programmes and projects is no central standard for the legal reinstitutionalisation and significant Greece not enough is being done. that aim to support care leavers. representation of unaccompanied delay to further transition from Progress has also been slow in Slovakia noted that there were no minors, which remains largely a institutional to community- and Poland and reforms have been special measures during the crisis to formality. In Poland, according to family-based care was recorded delayed in Romania. address the needs of young people the law, unaccompanied minors in Poland. The limit for number of ageing out of care. Mental health seeking asylum are to be placed children per institution (14) was Care leavers generally find problems and depression caused in institutional care facilities or suspended. In Slovakia there have themselves in a difficult situation, by uncertainty increased among in a professional foster family. In been positive changes, but there often made worse by the pandemic. young people, and yet no adequate practice asylum seeking children is more to be done. In Bulgaria the HHC Romania observed that the support was provided. Both Poland are rarely placed in a professional CSO group set up to monitor the situation of care leavers became and the Netherlands pointed to foster family. During the pandemic, government’s action plan on DI has very difficult during the pandemic the fact that young people leaving access to asylum procedures has no access to information about and there were no special services care are usually ill-prepared for an been significantly restricted. In the current developments, while to support them, with very similar independent life. Spain there has been overcrowding recommendations given by the comments being made in Croatia. in reception centres and a group were not passed on to the In France by contrast there was an The situation concerning children in disruption of evaluation and referral government. In Croatia a DI plan was obligation to support young adults migration does not look optimistic, processes. During the lockdown introduced in 2011 but progress leaving the child protection system and is particularly difficult for the administrative procedures has been slow and with the onset during the crisis, but there is still unaccompanied minors. In Greece, were paralysed or slowed down. of the crisis the process completely a need for longer term solutions. which faces many migrant arrivals, Unaccompanied minors who were stopped. Czechia described a There is no state policy with respect there is no centralised service studying have lost their opportunity similar situation while in France to care leavers in Bulgaria, although to tackle the issues related to to participate in educational the mechanisms to prevent the there is a provision for a care leaving unaccompanied children. In Bulgaria activities. placement of children in institutions plan which in practice means a unaccompanied children are were suspended during lockdown. meeting between a social worker guaranteed 24-hour care, provided The Hungary report deplores that and a care leaver to complete a by the International Organisation Summary of findings | 9

Summary of Ratings Based on Eurochild’s Members contributions to this report

Country Government's support Positive EU impact on 2020 Country-Specific Government's efforts Government’s for families and children more child-centred Recommendations to provide sufficient protection of children’s during the COVID-19 legislation at national resources and services right to participate pandemic level for families and children

Croatia    Cyprus      Czech republic      Denmark     England    Estonia      Finland      France   Germany    Greece      Hungary      Ireland   Italy    Latvia    Malta      Netherlands      Poland      Portugal    Romania      Serbia  Slovakia     Slovenia      Spain      10 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

1.3. Public policies

A national strategy to in most countries the political priority mention of children, children’s poor families and distance learning tackle child poverty is not given to child poverty: Cyprus, rights and/or tackling child poverty. training for teachers was provided would be necessary the Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Similar concerns were expressed by the government and an NGO. even without the COVID-19 Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, by members from the Czechia and Other countries too, notably Spain, pandemic.”1 Italy, Portugal, Serbia and Slovenia Denmark. organised programmes to provide all said they do not have a national computers for children who needed “The above quote from Eurochild’s strategy to tackle child poverty. The The lack of attention to children’s them, while elsewhere, for example Estonian country profile refers to Portuguese report stressed that needs and interested is reflected in France, free helplines were set up learning the lessons from the impact “a national strategy to tackle child not surprisingly in the lack of to help those in distress. In some the COVID-19 crisis to be more poverty is urgently needed, as 22% structures and mechanisms to countries TV channels were set up strategic about the fight against of Portuguese children are at risk of allow children to make themselves to deliver education to children in child poverty, and reflects a view poverty or social exclusion”. heard. Children’s participation was their homes, such as in the Czechia echoed in many of the other country described as “insufficient” or “not and Cyprus. The Cyprus report profiles in this report. Unfortunately, the 2020 Country sufficiently developed” in Belgium, equally notes that the crisis meant Specific Recommendations (CSR) Czechia, France, Hungary, Serbia that CSOs had to expand their Aside from the impact of the don’t always address this seemingly and Slovenia. digital capabilities, using new media COVID-19 crisis, the reports obvious need. Eurochild’s member to inform the public and setting looked at what was being done to from Estonia said it was not fully There were also positive up online programmes aimed at invest in children which, Eurochild satisfied with its 2020 CSRs as they developments and examples of children. stresses, is an investment in the do not directly address matters good practice to emerge from this future of society. One of the most related to children. Members from situation. In Belgium, for example, In the field of children in alternative urgent needs is to address child France, Finland and Italy said CSOs joined forces to lobby the care too there have been examples poverty, and its impact on their children were not mentioned in the government, as a result of which of good practice. In Bulgaria CSOs development and their future. It can CSRs. The Hungarian contributors there has been more attention have stepped in to help care leavers, be concluded that where national said its 2020 CSRs only partially to children and their rights. The supporting them with paying the strategies for reducing child poverty reflect the main challenges, Minister of Youth declared the rent for housing, and assisting exist, concerns remain about their recommending social assistance profession of youth welfare workers them in accessing health care implementation; resourcing from and quality education for all. an essential profession. In Latvia the and continuing education. Many national/municipal budgets; and lack Colleagues from Spain also said government provided equipment of the examples given however of child participation mechanism. Yet its CSR does not make specific such as computers for children in focused specifically on measures

1 Estonian Union for Child Welfare, Estonian country profile, this report. Summary of findings | 11 to deal with the crisis. In Belgium Social Fund (ESF) to support the a voluntary network was set up in transformation of the system for Wallonia and Brussels embracing children at risk. In Estonia actions for families who offered their help to improving the quality of substitution children needing support during care and diversifying alternative lockdown. In Ireland Child and care were supported through the Family Agency staff around the ESF. Similarly, Poland reported that country worked with local partners ESF funds were used to purchase to develop creative solutions to help computers and software to provide children and families during the support for children placed in public health crisis. Social media was alternative care and to secure used to try and share good practice personal protective equipment. within the sector. Spain gave the Spain received EU funds to help example of government measures families in vulnerable situations and to support families in vulnerable children in care during the COVID-19 situations and children in care and crisis but there is not enough deal with the economic and social information on how the Spanish impact of COVID-19, as well as government is using these funds urgent measures to assist victims of in practice. The Hungary report gender-based violence. suggested similar issues over the transparency and accessibility of EU Some country reports looked at the funds. use of EU funds, providing a mixed picture. Croatia stated that currently there are no funds allocated for the implementation of the legislative framework related to families in vulnerable situations and children in care. There have been calls for proposals but the process is too slow. In the Czechia, by contrast, it is reported that from 2016 to 2019 the Ministry of Labour implemented a project financed from the European 12 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Does your country have a national strategy to tackle child poverty?

Croatia Croatia has a national strategy against poverty and social exclusion (2014 – 2020) in which children and young people are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups. Cyprus Cyprus does not have a proper national strategy to tackle child poverty. Czech republic Czechia does not have a separate national strategy to fight child poverty, despite the urgent need for one. Denmark Overall, the government does not have a national strategy to tackle child poverty. It has taken measures to mitigate the rise in child poverty by introducing a temporary child benefit for families with children from the age of 0-14. England / There is no strategy or targets to tackle child poverty in England. There has been a lack of political will by the UK government to re-introduce a strategy, United Kingdom while the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have developed their own child poverty reduction strategies. Estonia Estonia does not have a separate national strategy to fight child poverty. Yet, this topic is discussed in the Children and Families Development Plan 2012-2020. Finland There is an ongoing process to draw up a national child strategy, which may include a child poverty goal. France France has implemented a national strategy for preventing and combating poverty. A large part of this strategy is dedicated to children and young people. Germany Germany does currently not have a national strategy to tackle child poverty, although there are debates about a system that covers all services for children under one roof. Greece There is no specific national strategy for child poverty. However, from time to time, in the context of the poverty strategy in general, measures are provided for benefits or food business programs (such as meals in the school context) and others. Hungary There is no independent strategy but there is a social inclusion program for Roma people and for people living in deprived regions of the country. According to government statements this programme represents a national anti-poverty strategy. Ireland Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020" contains a target for the reduction of child poverty in Ireland. A Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 outlines a plan to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less. Italy The measures to combat poverty are recent in Italy (starting from 2017) and have only indirectly dealt with children by providing an economical benefit to poor families more generally. Malta Yes, child poverty is mentioned in the National strategic policy for poverty reduction and social inclusion. Netherlands Yes, to combat child poverty, the Dutch government has formulated the document "four child poverty ambitions". Poland The government emphasizes that its policy reduces child poverty, but has neither an in-depth diagnosis of this phenomenon, nor has the government set specific targets in this regard. Portugal Portugal does not have a national strategy to tackle child poverty. However, the Portuguese Government has created a Committee to present a proposal for a National Strategy against Poverty until the end of 2020, which can be a crucial opportunity to put child poverty in the national political agenda. Serbia Serbia does not have a national strategy to tackle child poverty. Slovakia Slovakia has a national strategy against poverty with specific chapters referring to child poverty. Slovenia No, but there is a Development strategy of Slovenia 2030 which includes an element on protecting families and children. Spain Spain has a national strategy against poverty with an specific chapter to tackle child poverty. Summary of findings | 13

National strategies to tackle child poverty 14 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester 2. Policy recommendations

Eurochild members urge To do so, it is important in particular governments to address some of to: the most urgent needs for children, 1. Set national targets to reduce child including children in alternative care poverty and put children at the heart to prevent the pandemic widening Set national targets to of recovery plans existing gaps. Challenges include reduce child poverty and pre-existing as well as new divides put children at the heart 2. Establish the European Child created by the pandemic, such as of recovery plans Guarantee that of ensuring equal access to online learning for all, addressing the 3. Promote a multi-dimensional need for mental health protection, Grappling with a global pandemic approach to tackling child poverty and listening to children when and socio-economic crisis requires a making decisions affecting them. shift in mentality in decision-making. 4. Maintain, strengthen and expand Governments need to provide The fact that inequality and social investments in deinstitutionalisation adequate financial support to exclusion have surfaced as issues reforms families in vulnerable situations, under COVID-19 can nonetheless act make services such as mental health as a trigger for much needed, long- 5. Better target available EU funding protection services available for all, term policy reforms. resources to reach children in need and ensure equal opportunities at school for all children, especially by As countries are putting together 6. Recognise children as equal providing computers and internet their Recovery and Resilience Plans, partners and enable their connection for all children in poverty. there is a need to tackle social participation inequalities and ensure post- Eurochild recommends national pandemic needs of children are policy and decision-makers to addressed. Local communities need use the political commitment to to be supported to be able to provide children’s rights and child poverty services based on universal and at EU level to steer a child-centred targeted care provisions: health care, recovery. education, early childhood education and care, and social services. There Policy recommendations | 15 is a need to frame tackling child Eurochild supports that the Child Disaggregation by age of relevant through multi-dimensional poverty (see recommendation 4.) Guarantee takes the shape of indicators should be foreseen. strategies…”3 The 2013 European a Council Recommendation, as Commission Recommendation The current high political that will help hold Member States provided a helpful framework for momentum and attention to accountable to its realisation. We Promote a multi- steering policies for preventing and child poverty in Europe is unique. particularly welcome the proposal dimensional approach to tackling child poverty, which remains Eurochild urges every country to set in the Roadmap on Council tackling child poverty relevant to this day. a concrete target for reducing child Recommendation for a Child poverty, as measured by the AROPE Guarantee, to have both national The Council Recommendation on indicator within the framework of strategies for tackling child poverty Highlighting the multi-dimensional the Child Guarantee should also its multi-annual national strategy and social exclusion as well as “Child nature of the problems affecting offer the guiding logic for such on child poverty (at least until Guarantee National Action Plans” to children and youth, our members national strategies to cover: 2030); and in line with the first hold Member States accountable to in France call for coordination of Sustainable Development Goal2 and commitments and actions, budget efforts across the policy spectrum. • Access to adequate resources urges the European Commission allocations and impact. The Child Guarantee Council to recommend such ambitions Recommendation should call on • Access to affordable quality through the Child Guarantee Council Monitoring and evaluation of the Member States to adopt multi- services, including healthcare Recommendation. Child Guarantee at European annual national strategies, covering and prevention, education, early level will be essential. Eurochild at least the period until 2030, where childhood development support recommends that the AROPE that entails all public policies services, social services and Establish the European indicator be complemented by intended to prevent and tackle family support to prevent family Child Guarantee other key indicators that ensure a child poverty and social exclusion. separation, housing, access to comprehensive understanding of nutrition and culture and leisure child poverty and social exclusion. The European Child Guarantee activities Eurochild and its members This should include a focus on early Council Recommendation should are anticipating the upcoming childhood development and the reinforce the message to all Member • Participation in decision making Child Guarantee Council transition from institutional care to States, as is done in the 2013 Recommendation and support family- and community-based care. Commission Recommendation on • And be guided by the investing in the work that has been done in its Coordination with the European Investing in Children, to “organise children horizontal principles preparation. and national statistical offices and implement policies to address will be key to ensure comparable child poverty and social exclusion, • It is important to refer to the whole data collection across the EU. promoting children’s well-being, policy spectrum in the national

2 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/poverty/ 3 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 20 February 2013 Investing in children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage (2013/112/EU) 16 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

strategies. It is equally important Better target available Recognise children that the national strategies EU funding resources to as equal partners and address prevention as well as reach children in need enable their participation policy interventions – thereby also describing the universal policies they have in place for all children. The 2021-2027 EU budget is the Compared to the impact the crisis opportunity to earmark funds to has been having on children, their fight child poverty in Member States, voices remain underrepresented in Maintain, strengthen and through the European Social Fund decisions taken by governments. expand investments in Plus. At the time of writing this report Yet, in the attempt to build back deinstitutionalisation an agreement has not yet been responsible, democratic societies reforms reached regarding Parliament’s with strong civic participation it and Commission’s proposal to set is vital the voices and rights of aside 5% of ESF+ resources in every children are at the heart of the For children in alternative care, the EU Member State for action that recovery process. need for deinstitutionalisation is support structural reforms to tackle repeatedly prioritised by Eurochild child poverty. members. Child protection reforms need to be supported through a As the enabling condition also wide range of services and actions, provides for the establishment of such as prevention and integrated national strategic policy frameworks networks of community and on poverty reduction, including on family-based care services. The child poverty, there is additional need for harmonised systems is links between national child poverty stressed in the report, as well as strategies and the use of EU funding. a call for support for young care- leavers. Appropriate protection for Eurochild furthermore encourages unaccompanied migrant children the strategic use of EU funding and a halt to detentions for migrant beyond ESF+ to promote investing children needs equal attention. in children, for example, European Regional Development Fund, InvestEU, ErasmusPlus resources. Country profiles | 17 7. Country profiles Belgium Alternative recommendations

Country Profile on the European • The government should assess Semester and COVID-19 crisis properly the effect of the measures on the psychological from a children’s rights perspective health of children and young people. The effect of certain rules needs to be carefully considered, Contributors: Children in Alternative Care (CiAC): especially for those who grow Child Rights Coalition Total number of institutions/SGHs Number of children up in a vulnerable situation, such Flanders (CRCF), Maud Institutional care (in total) Wallonia-Brussels 4,5002 as residential care. Children in 2018 German speaking community1 28-36 have the right to human contact, Stiernet (independent Institutions for children Wallonia (2020) 6,000 (available places) to relaxation and to empathy. researcher and trainer) with disabilities/boarding Flanders (2017) 1,275 (youth in care full time) There needs to be a fair balance schools 3 225 (during a week) between the risks and the 949 children’s needs. 22.3 % Number of children in German community (2019) 75 family-based/foster care Flanders (2019) 7,7564 Wallonia n/a • Take a better account of children’s Children at risk of poverty or social best interests and listen to their exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 Number of unaccompanied 1,2205 minors in 2019 voices.

• Homogenise digital learning between the different school systems and make sure everyone has access to all the tools needed for her/his type of learning.

1 A maximum of nine children in one residential facility. 2 4500 jeunes dans les centres d'hébergement de l'aide à la jeunesse 3 Aide à la jeunesse : les internats de la FWB fort sollicités 4 Steeds meer kinderen kunnen terecht in een pleeggezin 5 Aida – Ecre - Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen: Statistics Country profiles - Belgium | 19

Child Poverty

A study by AP Hogeschool and the perspective of children into account. in vulnerable situations and children Impact of the COVID-19 Antwerp youth sector in mid-April Since then there has been more living in poverty. crisis shows strong signs of demotivation attention to children and their rights. among children and young people, The COVID-19 crisis also made it of escalating tensions in families, The COVID-19 pandemic has very clear that school plays a big role The COVID-19 pandemic and the of loneliness, depression or just made it clear that children in more in the lives of children. This was also impact of the measures introduced increased aggression. This is vulnerable situations need to get recognised by the government and to curb the spread of the virus have not only the case in families in more support in very different a lot of efforts were made to reopen had profound consequences on vulnerable situations. The signals domains. Their housing situation, the schools as soon as possible. Pre- children and young people. The from civil society are numerous and the financial pressure that they teaching was put in place and efforts government, however, did not disturbing. were living under and the lack of were made to distribute computers take into account the perspective, space all added to their difficulties. to those living in more vulnerable voice and interests of children and Positive developments The Minister of Youth declared the situations. young people. When it comes to profession of youth welfare workers child-oriented sectors, such as During the COVID-19 crisis, many an essential profession. There was education, youth care or leisure, the civil society organisations joined a call for increased funding for best interests of the child were not forces to lobby and put pressure organisations working with children sufficiently taken into account. on the government to take the

Policies for Investing in Children

National strategy to tackle 6.4% in 2004 to 12% in 2015. The decreasing adequacy of social necessary but there seems to child poverty poverty risk in Wallonia is almost protection for the working-age be a lack of ambition there. The twice as high as in Flanders and the population and an increasing gap coronavirus crisis is putting According to Eurostat figures from difference has increased in recent between poverty rates among the additional pressure on the current 2019, nearly one in four children in years. highly skilled and among the low situation of children from families in Belgium is at risk of falling below skilled. vulnerable situations. Civil society the poverty line. The percentage Despite this divergence, similar organisations urged the government of children born every year into a trends can be observed in Belgium’s Structural long-term measurements to take concrete and structural disadvantaged family has risen from three regions, most notably for children living in poverty are 20 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester measures to fight against the into account in the development the mid nor long term perspective. designing the rules. Albeit the period precariousness of children. of measures, particularly children This is evident from complaints of lockdown and related restrictions above 12. to the Complaints Line of the were unreasonably difficult for Children’s participation Children's Rights Commissioner.7 children and young people, the An article by the Children's Rights In the #jongerenovercorona findings revealed that they are Beyond their rights to be heard in Commissioner drew attention to survey conducted by the Children’s not seen and heard enough. Their the judicial system, children’s right the impact of the corona measures Commissioner , the Children's Rights perspective is insufficiently weighed to participate is not sufficiently on children and young people. 6 Coalition and the Children's Rights against other interests. In particular, developed especially for children Children and young people were not Knowledge Centre in Flanders, more children and young people who from vulnerable groups. During the consulted on any measure imposed than half of the young people in a are less visible, in a facility or with a COVID-19 crisis, children were not by the government to prevent the residential facility said that they disability still feel the daily impact of consulted and sufficiently taken spread of the coronavirus, neither in were not allowed to participate in co- the strict rules.

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

Impact of the COVID-19 crisis able to visit home, which was very inside and were not allowed to walk institutions could not be visited by difficult for them. The report9 by the or cycle like young people living at their parents. During lock-down in Wallonia and Children’s Rights Commissioner for home. Brussels the ‘réseau de solidarité Flanders stresses that this forced Strict rules still apply today. In relais enfant’ network was created. extra separation from the family, Most community support centres some facilities, young people have This network works on a voluntary deeply affected parents and children for families with children with to be quarantined for nine days to basis embracing families who offer and could not be justified. The fact disabilities were closed and the undergo a second COVID-19 test. their help8. A Facebook group called that children were not allowed to parents became overburdened During the first nine days, they do “répit solidaire” was also set up, with go outside for weeks also impacted when they had to take care of not participate in education and a similar purpose. heavily on their mental well-being. children alone. The children still cannot go to the canteen. If children However their supervisors went in feel the consequences of the lack or young people are visited by their Children in residential facilities and out with all the associated risks. of adequate support. On the other parents, social distancing needs were not able to receive visitors Even after some measures were hand, children who remained in to be respected. Young people do during the lockdown and were not lifted these young people stayed not understand that, since there

6 Kinderen en jongeren worden nog altijd geleefd door strenge coronaregels 7 Flemish Child Rights Commissioner’s online survey #jongerenovercorona: children called corona stupid, boring, exhausting, annoying and a "life waster". 8 Des familles d'accueil pour les enfants dans le besoin 9 Kinderen en jongeren worden nog altijd geleefd door strenge coronaregels Country profiles - Belgium | 21 has been enough distance already. placements were motivated by the 638 more than the year before, or an 2019, EUR 917,000 - or 23% of The Commissioner suggests it is failure to respect lock-down rules increase of 9%. the youth welfare budget - was important that children and young to protect the health of majority spent on addressing the needs of people should be reassured and population12. In 2017, the Flemish government unaccompanied minors. comforted by their family and strict reformed the financing of care for rules should be relaxed. Progress on child protection the disabled. In doing so, it met the long-standing demands of Carers and professionals working Belgium is organised into people with disabilities. People with with children supported children three communities: the French a disability are given a personal during that difficult period. However community, the Flemish community budget to organise their care. in their opinion some rules were and the German community, Parents of children with disabilities ‘inhuman’. They further mentioned therefore information about children are entitled to make decisions difficulties related to home schooling in alternative care is scattered. and apply for personal budgets. In and the lack of outdoor activities10. Residential care still prevails practice it does not work well since In August 2020, the youth help and in Belgium. It includes children there are limited funds allocated to information line ‘Awel’ received twice removed from their families and this purpose15. as many calls about self-harm and children with disabilities in particular. depression as in August 2019. There are still several residential Children in migration settings for up to 15 children where Some new institutional structures children of various ages live in one In addition to the 130 institutional were opened but only for a short facility.13 On the other hand, the places created in 2018, 18 more period of time for groups of children report14 shows that the number of ‘Youth in shelter’ centres were from 0 to 6 years, and closed in June children, young people and adults opened in August 2020 by the 202011. Since the beginning of lock- in foster care continues to rise. At NGO Caritas. Three new structures down, 110 young people were taken the end of 2019, 7,756 children and were built to accommodate 18 - 35 into centres for delinquent youths young people were growing up in unaccompanied minors in 2020. (institutions publiques de protection foster families in Flanders. That is Funding is ensured by Fedasil16 de la jeunesse – IPPJ). 35% of those and the youth welfare budget. In

10 L'aide à la jeunesse en temps de confinement : "ils avaient un grand sentiment d'injustice" 11 Parlement de la communauté française, Session 2020–2021, 8 Septembre 2020 Charleroi : 16 enfants placés en urgence dans une structure d'accueil 12 Parlement de la communauté française, Session 2020–2021, 12 May 2020 13 Le Bateau Ivre – Maison d’accueil 14 Steeds meer kinderen kunnen terecht in een pleeggezin 15 Heeft de nieuwe financiering van de gehandicaptenzorg het leven van mensen met een beperking verbeterd? 16 https://www.fedasil.be/en Alternative Bulgaria Recommendations Bulgaria should take action Country Profile on the European to: Semester and COVID-19 crisis • Keep families together from a children’s rights perspective including re-integration to prevent institutionalisation of children by engaging families, professionals and communities Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC in the process. National Network of Children Total number of Number of children institutions/SGHs Bulgaria (NNCB); For Our • Establish more alternative Institutional care (in total) in 2019 services and family-based Children Foundation Bulgaria Institutions for children with 0 0 care for children in vulnerable disabilities (FOCFB); Hope and Homes for situations as well as promote Institutions for children 0-3 Children Bulgaria (HHCB); 13 256 (0-3) adoption and fostering to 170 (over the 3 years) CEDAR Foundation; Social 406 are children with disabilities, 20 guarantee children aged 0-3 Activities and Practice children without disabilities years will grow up in a family Institute (SAPI); and SOS Small group homes (SGHs) in 2019 268 2,876 (including young adults) environment. Children Villages Bulgaria. Number of children in family-based/ 6,496 foster care in 2019 • Ensure that young people Number of children in kinship care 4,548 ageing-out of care will receive Number of adoptions 500 (national adoptions) adequate financial and Number of unaccompanied minors 620 unaccompanied children1 personnel support to start their 33.9 % in 2019 524 unaccompanied children2 independent life.

Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) in 2019

1 According to the State Agency for Child Protection 2 According to the State Agency for Refugees Country profiles - Bulgaria | 23

Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on children in alternative care

The divergence of opinions situations1. Unfortunately, the Programme 1,400 tons of food to 42 families by For Our Children expressed by the government and majority of NGOs will not be able to were distributed to 58,300 Foundation. by scientific experts led to confusion benefit from these compensations individuals and families, including among the public. This situation because one of the conditions for families with children were NNC’s members working with poor was exacerbated by a lack of clarity receiving the aid is to declare a 20% supported. families reported that there were in the guidelines and regulations reduction in sales revenue. many families that needed to survive on how to react to the COVID-19 On the other hand, the civil society on BGN 5-10 per day, which they crisis. Some non-governmental Concrete measures to support organisation members of the earned by collecting and selling organisations (NGOs) had to adopt families with children have been: National Network for Children (NNC) herbs and plastic, window cleaning, their own procedures for working supported over 6,500 children etc. The number of extremely poor in a pandemic to respond to their • Parents who have lost their jobs in 3,200 families with 4,404 food families increased due to staff cuts clients’ needs. and single parents are entitled packages in March and April 2020. or forced unpaid leave. There is a to receive BGN 375 as a one-off These donations, which came real danger that children who have The measures taken by the financial assistance. from the emergency programmes been recently reintegrated into such government such as the provision of and private philanthropists and families will be abandoned again. non-interest-bearing loans, financial • Amendments to the law to reduce amounted to BGN 135,454, provided compensation for employers or VAT on baby food, baby diapers food including formula for new- NGOs also reacted promptly to food donations were mainly aimed and baby hygiene items, as well borns, medicines, disinfectants, PPE address the needs of children at risk at employers, poor families, the as for books from July 2020 to and various social services. They by mobilising staff and resources unemployed and schools. December 2021. have also distributed more than 400 to reach out to communities and electronic devices to children in poor families and children in vulnerable At the end of March 2020, the • Families of eighth graders will families as part of the initiative called situations. They came to help at the Council of Ministers published receive BGN 250 to cover part of “Old Devices for a New Beginning”. most difficult time.4 Decree No. 55 determining the the expenses for the beginning of Moreover, civil society organisations conditions and procedures for the new school year23. provided 24h/day 7 days per week Most children in Small Group Homes the payment of compensation to telephone help lines and other (SGH) are children with disabilities employers in order to maintain • Under the Food and/or Basic means of consultation. Additional who are very vulnerable and fragile employment in emergency Material Assistance Operational humanitarian support was given health-wise. During the lockdown

1 The measure is 60/40 = 60 % workers’ insurance income, and 40% for the employer, but only if the company keeps the jobs despite the crisis. 2 To be granted the aid, the average monthly income of a family member for the previous 12 months must be lower than or equal to BGN 450. 3 It is a measure for supporting families with children 13-14 years old, because children start a new grade and the text books are not provided by the school/state. The benefit is received if the average monthly income of a family member for the previous 12 months is lower than or equal to 450 BGN. 4 Picture 1, Picture 2 24 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester the service providers, including since isolation in a small group home virtual space. Group trainings were Preventing the NGOs, ensured PPE for staff, work setting was not possible. initially postponed until the virtual unnecessary entry of materials and other hygiene items. meetings were organised for group children in alternative The Cedar Foundation and the formats. care Bulgarian Coalition Childhood 2025 Challenges for civil explain that social distancing was society organisations Initiative not possible in an SGH setting (CSOs) The prolonged isolation, along with as many of the children require A survey5 conducted by the the economic consequences for intensive care that cannot be Social Activities and Practice families (such as loss of employment provided without close contact with There has been a significant Institute (SAPI) in collaboration and income) has given rise to other the staff. SGH staff have had to cope increase in the expenses of the small with Sofia University found that types of crises in families - increased with an additional workload in order group homes (for food; protective care professionals (including cases of domestic violence, neglect, to comply with all the regulations equipment; disinfection materials; psychologists) and social workers online bullying, conditions for (disinfection, reporting, etc.) as medication; devices for online encountered the following main deteriorating mental health, or well as carry out new activities and learning; psychological support, challenges: technical; on content psychological problems for both therapies in order to address the etc.). Social services are generally and process level; difficulties in families and children. These risk children’s mental health needs. underfinanced, and the crisis put establishing a deeper connection factors required the intervention of additional strain on them. Yet, there with new clients; managing highly qualified specialists in the The lack of access to day-care has been no financial support from institutional collaboration and field in order to identify them in a centres and other social services the state for NGOs and/or social communication; specialists’ timely manner and undertake the during the lockdown posed extra services (including small group attitudes vis-a-vis lockdown and necessary measures. However, strain on the service provider who homes) at a time when fundraising social distance; fears over the these needs have been met only was supposed to replace day-care from other sources e.g. attracting unknown; professional pessimism; partially, therefore Bulgarian centres and provide some therapies private donors, has become more quick adaptation to the new child rights NGOs are urging the in the facility. Online learning was difficult. situation by using new approaches authorities to invest in increasing the one of the biggest challenges due and tools6. capacity of specialists in the child to lack of technical equipment and There was an urgent need to protection system, with a view to lack of personnel to support it. For a reorganise work with clients and build a better professional system long time, there was no clarity about colleagues. Within a few days, for early warning in the presence of what steps to take in case a child or social service providers shifted risk factors. a member of staff became infected, consultations and meetings to the

5 Sofia University together with SAPI conducted a survey "Community-based Social Services during the State of Emergency" in the period 26 April – 6 May 2020. The survey included 119 respondents from 113 social services across the country. Participants mainly work in Community Support Centres, followed by representatives in Centres for Social Rehabilitation and Integration, which make up about one fifth of all participants. 6 СОЦИАЛНИТЕ УСЛУГИ В ОБЩНОСТТА В УСЛОВИЯТА НА ИЗВЪНРЕДНО ПОЛОЖЕНИЕ – резултати от проучване сред професионалисти Country profiles - Bulgaria | 25

Initiative Kardzhali, Haskovo, Yambol and harder for the group to function in Act (SSA) entered into force in July Pleven7. a meaningful way, as all requests 2020 after six months of delay During the period of isolation due from the NGO members for online because there were many public to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope meetings were declined. disputes and protests initiated by and Homes for Children - Bulgaria Progress on child conservative groups. These protests (HHCB) focused its work exclusively protection and care According to the government’s were suspended and the situation on prevention of separation, reform plans, the assessment of the required effective solutions that applying the model of active family children in the remaining institutions the new law ensures. Children’s support. They managed to support needs to be carried out by the end rights CSOs were pleased with this 151 families and their children from Bulgarian CSOs have been raising of 2020. The deadline for training development as it included their the districts of Sofia, Burgas, Vidin, the issue of the lack of effectiveness the staff in the new small group recommendations based on their Vratsa, Veliko Tarnovo, Sliven, Stara of the Permanent Expert Working homes and the medical staff in the direct experience of working with Zagora, Kardzhali, Haskovo, Yambol Group on De-Institutionalisation maternity wards is also planned until children and families. and Pleven in the field and through (DI) for several years. The group the end of 2020. These activities numerous consultations. They also was established in 2010 to monitor are all part of the Agency for maintained constant communication the implementation of the Action Social Assistance’s project under Care leavers with the Child Protection plan on DI in Bulgaria, as well as to Human Resources Development Departments on the local level. discuss and give recommendations Programme (HRDP) (2014-2020). There is no state policy with respect Furthermore, they have developed to the government about different Given the crisis, it is expected these to care leavers in Bulgaria. There is a and applied another model of work aspects of the DI process. However, activities will be delayed. Similarly, general provision for preparation of – the District De-Institutionalisation it has turned into a group that only the process of closing down a care leaving plan which in practice Coordination Mechanism (DDICM) produces monitoring reports, but specialised institutions has been means a meeting between a social – an instrument and platform for has no access to information about stopped including moving children worker and a care leaver to complete gathering of resources, authorities the current developments in the from institutions to small group a template. To address this, NGOs and decision-makers for concrete implementation of DI reform or homes or foster families. have programmes and projects that cases of children (0-3 years old) and future plans in this respect. In a few aim to support care leavers. Based families at risk. The organisation instances, the recommendations Bulgarian children’s rights on their experience they have been established 21 DDICMs and at the given by the group were not passed organisations suggest the COVID making recommendations to the moment is working with 12 DDICMs to the government, and as a result, crisis has in a way supported a government for a holistic approach, in Sofia, Burgas, Vidin, Vratsa, Veliko no feedback was received or action positive development in child but there was no commitment on Tarnovo, Sliven, Stara Zagora, taken. The crisis made it even protection. The new Social Services the state level so far. During the

7 During the pandemic HHC – Bulgaria provided consultations only to the members of the DDICMs. From June 2020 the sessions of the DDICMs started to function in line with the all epidemiological requirements and such meetings were held in Haskovo and Stara Zagora with the participation of 33 members and with discussions on the challenges and plans for work, status of Homes for medical and social care for children in the pandemic. 26 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester current pandemic, no services or 2020 Report Card included the 16 unaccompanied children have projects implemented by the state support have been offered by the recommendation to optimise been accommodated in the social authorities. To respond to the state to care leavers, despite their the procedures for the transfer residential services. emerging needs under the HRDOP, vulnerability. of information between the state BGN 45 million were transferred for authorities in order to ensure Because of the lack of equal social patronage and BGN 20 million CSOs have been filling that gap reliability and accuracy in the standards, the legal representation for paying an extraordinary up to in Bulgaria. They have been in number of unaccompanied children9. of unaccompanied minors remains BGN 1,000 per month for the medics contact with young people leaving In Bulgaria unaccompanied largely formal. For example, the who work in places where COVID-19 care, supporting them with paying children are guaranteed 24-hour municipalities have different infection is present. the rent for housing, and assisting care, provided by the International practices, such that in once case them in accessing health care and Organisation for Migration (IOM). one representative represents 318 continuing education. Currently, SOS unaccompanied children while Children’s Villages is working on a The opening of the Safe Zone is a in another three representatives project to support young people positive development in ensuring the represent 147 children. Bulgarian leaving alternative care which aims safety and care of unaccompanied children’s rights organisations are to support 210 young people from children. However, the number of calling for improvement because this all over the country8. Similarly, SAPI children who left before the end of approach violates children rights.10 piloted a pathways tool with five their procedure and for whom there care leavers. Young people were is no information about their location supported in the planning process still remains very high. According EU funds via phone and online apps. Despite to data provided by the IOM, it the original difficulties care leavers concerns 178 children, which is 91 During the lockdown, the Ministry found it very useful. % of all children accommodated in of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP) the Zone. The Safety Zone does not reported that the implementation of have the status of a social service projects had been suspended during Children in migration and children can be there during the the entire lockdown. A significant procedure for granting international amount of funds from the Human National Network for Children protection. Till the end of 2019, Resources Development Operational Bulgaria publishes annual Report 196 unaccompanied children were Programme (HRDOP) are allocated Cards to assess the situation accommodated there. According to policy reforms where the majority and well-being of children. Its to the Agency for Social Assistance of these funds are for pre-designed

8 Up to date, 30 young people are supported - Picture 9 Мерки за ограничаване на разпространението на COVID-19 10 Information from the National Network for Children Report Card 2020 Alternative health) and investments in Croatia Recommendations the digital skills of child care professionals. Supporting children and Country Profile on the European families in the context of • The government should ensure Semester and COVID-19 crisis COVID-19 in the short term: flexible working hours for parents. from a children’s rights perspective • The government should ensure consistent and timely measures Children in Alternative Care for schooling during the (CiAC): COVID-19 outbreak, including Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC the possibility of after school • The government should FICE Croatia, Coordination Total number Number of activities for children with guarantee adequate child and of institutions/ children working parents. social protection for the groups of Associations for Children SGHs of its population in the most Institutional care (in 38 6,2591 • The government should ensure vulnerable situations, including 20.7 % total) in 2018 the availability of mental young people who have left Institutions for children 25 5,437 health protection services state institutional care. There is with disabilities and psychological support for an utmost need for safety nets, Children at risk of poverty or social Institutions for children 13 822 exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 0-3 children, adolescents and family including financial and personal Small group homes 3 210 members. support for care leavers. (SGHs) in 2018 Number of children in 2,276 Supporting children and • The government should family-based/foster care in 2018 families in the context of establish a network of social Number of 181 COVID-19 in the long term: services for families in unaccompanied vulnerable situations. minors in 2020 • The government should ensure widespread high-speed • The government should make internet access to rural and more efficient use of EU funds underdeveloped regions, IT to finance the above mentioned 1 These numbers include all services provided by equipment for all public services priorities. the institutions to children and not only those in the accommodation. In Croatia there are ten (education, social welfare, more institutions for children and youth with behavioural problems in which there are a total of 1,108 children. 28 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for Online schooling Difficulties due to online schooling families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 Online schooling was implemented Teachers, parents and children often COVID-19 pandemic: crisis during the national lockdown (March – did not have the digital skills required  May 2020) and organised on two key and there were serious problems principles: (a) access to education for with internet connectivity in all Positive EU impact on more Government support all students, with an appropriate level areas of the country, especially the child-centred legislation at of digitalisation according to age, (b) underdeveloped and rural areas. Free national level: Healthcare the possibility of monitoring distance school meals for disadvantaged and  The government abolished any kind of learning. The Ministry established poor children were stopped. visits or physical contact for children in cooperation with national public and 2020 Country-Specific hospitals and their parents during and private television channels (HRT, RTL) Lack of family support measures Recommendations: after the lockdown. The measure was that broadcasted school contents for There were insufficient measures in  somewhat relaxed thanks to the work of children up to 11 years (lower school place to help children and families NGOs and child care professionals; the grades) while older children used cope with COVID-19. Ministry of Health, in cooperation with different digital tools and platforms. the National Public Health Department, Difficulties experienced by NGOs allowed daily visits lasting for 15 Nutrition Civil society organisations were not minutes. Due to the lockdown, schools stopped included in the government measures providing meals for students; this to mitigate the consequences of Social Protection assistance heavily affected children living in the COVID-19 pandemic and the We registered very limited access to poverty. earthquake in Zagreb. Moreover, social services during the lockdown. pre-financing of the approved projects The Ministry of the Interior did not Negative developments1 funded by the European Social report an increase in family violence Fund (ESF) was reduced from the but child care professionals reported Mental health contracted 40% to 20%. NGOs were that there was an increase that was We witnessed increased anxiety, fear, also faced with a lack of digital skills not investigated by the police, who insecurity and depression due to the and the financial means to purchase dedicated all its capacity to the COVID-19 pandemic compounded digital tools and IT equipment. implementation of anti-epidemic by the earthquake in Zagreb and two measures. surrounding counties (March 2020).

1 More info on Kako smo? Život u Hrvatskoj u doba korone Country profiles - Croatia | 29

Good practice • Free online education for online Concrete examples of connected to outdated IT equipment psychological support for child challenges in supporting and the lack of digital skills among • Online psychosocial support on a care professionals4 families and children professionals. Particularly in small volunteer basis2 communities and rural areas without During the lockdown, NGOs were internet access, teachers used to • A media campaign to enable engaged in providing online support go once a week from door to door parents to visit/stay with children for child care professionals and were leaving bags with homework for in hospitals3 faced with a number of difficulties, children, and collecting them in the the majority of which were same fashion the following week.

Policies for Investing in Children

European funds, aiming to increase • Social protection – in spite of the National strategy to the number of children in pre-school long-lasting reform of the national EU influence on national tackle child poverty education. social protection system, there is developments still a large number of children in A national strategy is fundamental institutions, and too little is being Croatia has a national strategy to efficiently addressing child invested in the development of a The EU’s involvement in promoting against poverty and social exclusion poverty and the risk of exacerbating foster care network. children’s rights in Croatia has been for 2014 - 2020 in which children it as the result of limited access to insufficient. In order to change and young people are identified as public services during the COVID-19 • Justice – the risk that children’s this, each Member State should one of the most vulnerable groups in pandemic. rights are violated during divorce be obliged to address children’s society. proceedings and endangered issues in the national recovery and In the years before the COVID-19 by the long and complicated resilience plans when applying for During 2019 and until the outbreak crisis, the government did not make trials and court procedures. The future EU funds. of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant progress in the protection Minister of Justice announced that large investments were made in of children’s rights. In particular: there will be no Family Courts in The 2020 Country Specific expanding the network of preschool the forthcoming justice reform. Recommendations mentioned institutions, mostly thanks to the limited internet connectivity,

2 Telefonski brojevi za pružanje psihološke pomoći; Kako si?; Besplatno on-line psihološko savjetovanje za mlade 3 Zahtijevamo promjenu pristupa djeci na bolničkom liječenju; COVID-19 i pravo djeteta da roditelj boravi uz njega u bolnici; Peticija za osiguranje prava svakog djeteta na boravak uz roditelja tijekom bolničkog liječenja 4 Za stručnjake mentalnog zdravlja: Video snimke 6 webinara o telefonskom i e-savjetovanju i besplatni priručnik “Halo, pomozite!”; Edukacija za liniju psihološke podrške u COVID 19 krizi; Online stručni skup: „Pandemija COVID-19 i mentalno zdravlje djece i adolescenata: prijetnja i prilika“ 30 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester especially in rural areas that prevent amongst vulnerable groups, such families or those with disabilities. Recommendations were judged as telework and distance learning and as students from disadvantaged Yet, generally speaking, the unsatisfactory.

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

families, friends and their wider over responsibilities they do not control of the COVID-19 epidemic Impact of the COVID-19 social network. Children were facing have in “normal” circumstances for non-institutional social services crisis mental health problems without such as the online schooling of all providers including foster families or adequate support. Residential children and dealing with the various organised housing. settings were not equipped to psychological effects of complete The pandemic accompanied contain the virus because they lockdown, isolation from their friends Regrettably, FICE Croatia highlights by the earthquake in the city of lacked the necessary PPE as well as and family, and potential online that the crisis has completely Zagreb in March 2020 revealed the the extra space needed for infected abuse because children spent a lot stopped all child protection reforms weaknesses of social protection children. Moreover, after the March more time online. and de-institutionalisation processes. in Croatia where the most earthquake in Zagreb, the alternative All alternative care providers strictly vulnerable population including care institutions were closed down Moreover, FICE Croatia points out followed the lockdown restrictions children in care and care leavers and a significant number of children that there was no communication and interaction with the outside were the most affected. The most were returned to their biological between the government and world was interrupted. The Ministry outstanding challenges have families, who could not provide civil society organisations, which for Demography, Family, Youth and included: lack of material support suitable living conditions and worsened the already very fragile Social Policy has responded to the for the organisations concerned e.g. support. In the chaos caused by the working relationship that has most pressing crisis situations only. personal protective equipment (PPE), virus and underdeveloped support been established. To respond medical supplies, a sudden cut in the and services for families and children to the emerging challenges, funds to the NGOs in various fields, at risk, institutions provided at least the government issued a Preventing the and a significant delay in announcing a minimum standard of safety and recommendation for action in unnecessary entry of the results of European Structural security, following strict government social welfare institutions including children in alternative and Investment Funds (ESIF) open protocols on COVID-19. specific protection measures related care competitions. to the COVID-19 pandemic for the The main challenges for foster work of social service providers, During the lock-down, the main families and children in foster families organisational measures in relation There were no gatekeeping challenges for children living in were the complete lockdown and to medical and other services that mechanisms available to help institutions were the complete isolation within foster homes, which are provided by the service providers families in vulnerable situations isolation from their biological meant foster parents had to take and guidelines for the prevention and during the pandemic. FICE Croatia Country profiles - Croatia | 31 outlines that these mechanisms children with disabilities were still especially critical for those young to 3 and there were ten pregnant are not systematically provided by growing up in institutional care in people whose accommodation women. At the beginning of May the social welfare sectors even in 2018 in Croatia. ended or who decided to leave 2020, the Ministry of the Interior and “normal” times. their accommodation due to the the Ministry of Health of the Republic The long expected law on foster care deterioration of relations with care of Croatia took over the coordination More attention needs to be given to came into force in January 2019 providers during isolation. In one of all activities to help children and developing adequate policies and with the ambition to promote the period of time they could not find families housed in the reception systematic monitoring of the reasons development of family based-care substitute accommodation at all – centre for unaccompanied minors for separating children and young including increasing a number of even homeless shelters. and asylum seekers. people from their families. The last family-based care placements. In data provided by the 2017 Report 2018 there were 2,276 children living Care leavers within the group of by the Children’s Ombudsman in in foster families compared to 2017 students without grants struggled EU funds Croatia shows that poverty is the when 2,263 children were placed in since without jobs they were not main factor that separates children foster care. able to pay all their expenses. During Currently there are no funds from their families. the lockdown they were among allocated for the implementation of the first who lost their jobs. As this the legislative or policy framework Care leavers group of care leavers does not have related to families in vulnerable Progress on child other sources of income their living situations and children in care. There protection and care The situation has been particularly conditions became very difficult. were calls for proposals directed reform difficult for care leavers, since FICE Croatia points out there was no at providing services to families in the pandemic has had a serious systematic support offered by the vulnerable situations and children effect on the labour market, and social welfare sector to care leavers in care, however no funds have The reforms process started caused many people to lose their or additional services organised to been decided and allocated so in Croatia in 2011 when the jobs. In addition to the lockdown help them overcome the effects of far. For example, it took more than government endorsed the and isolation, care leavers could the pandemic. two years to get the results of the deinstitutionalisation plan for the not get the proper psychological, Call for Proposals within the ESF transformation of social welfare expert or financial support they aimed at the further strengthening homes and other legal bodies needed, except in some cases Children in migration of social services supporting the providing social services in Croatia of alternative care providers like deinstitutionalisation process. The 2011-2016. The overall transition SOS Children’s Villages, who In April 2020, among the 380 NGO sector in Croatia calls for the from institutional to family-based organised online counselling asylum seekers accommodated process to be sped up and made and community-based forms of care and offered additional financial in the reception centre in Zagreb, more transparent. Furthermore, until shows slow signs of progress. A total support during the COVID-19 almost 40% were under the age of now no funds have been allocated in of 6,256 children, including 5,437 pandemic. The situation was 18 (141), 40 children were aged 0 response to COVID-19. Cyprus Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributor: Alternative Supporting children and Pancyprian Coordinating recommendations families in the long term: Committee for the Protection Supporting children and • Identify housing problems and and Welfare of Children families in the short term: subsidise families in poverty to live in better conditions • Make sure all children continue their education • Social services should be 23 % reinforced, including mental • Make sure parents do not lose health support services for Children at risk of poverty or social their jobs and income children in vulnerable situations exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 • The EU must provide emergency • The EU must provide earmarked funds to Member States funding to fight child poverty in Member States Country profiles - Cyprus | 33

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty Government's support for families and children during the Reported increase in poverty been developed especially for pre- COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of the COVID-19 The economic effects of the school children.  crisis pandemic are likely to push many families into poverty. Measures implemented by the Positive EU impact on more government child-centred legislation at Negative developments Impact on civil society • Online continuation of education national level: organisations for elementary and high school  Confined to the home in poor • Difficulty in communicating with children, including free provision of housing conditions members that were not “internet tablets to those in need. 2020 Country-Specific Housing is an important social ready”  Recommendations : determinant of health. COVID-19,  and the actions taken to mitigate its • Decrease in funding after losing • 60% salary subsidy for all people spread, highlighted the central role funding from banks and the having to stay home to care Government's efforts to of the home in people’s lives. With private sector for children when schools were provide sufficient resources the country in lockdown, people closed (the other 40% was to be and services for families and must stay in their homes with very • Working from home meant less paid by employers – from March to children: limited exceptions, exacerbating contact with people on “the October 2020)  inequalities in housing and the ground”  repercussions for health. Positive developments • “Rescue packs” for small size Reported increase in domestic companies provided they do not violence (not specifically against As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, fire any staff at least till the end children but mostly against civil society organisations have of 2020 (further measures to be women) shifted to remote-working models, decided in the next months in The pandemic and the lockdown leading them to increase their digital order to secure jobs). triggered an unprecedented capabilities. These new ways of  increase in domestic violence working have also led organisations for reasons including increased to expand different Help Lines and to stress, cramped and difficult living use the media to inform the public. conditions, and breakdowns in TV and online programmes have community support systems. 34 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Policies for Investing in Children

National strategy to tackle or impeded following the crisis. social exclusion. However, the organisations) and structures that child poverty Cyprus is still far from going back COVID-19 crisis disrupted these include children under 12. to universal services or benefits, efforts. Cyprus does not have a proper excluding education that remains national strategy to tackle child free and universal. The new National Face-to-face communication poverty. The impact of the economic Health Care System (in place since has been impossible and even crisis limited the capacity of the June 2019) is universal but co- though – children use technology state to properly invest in social payments and the percentage of for recreation, they are not policies. The COVID-19 crisis is likely salaries paid by people in order to used to “impersonal” ways of to make the situation even worse. be “in” the system are high and a communicating. There is a need The government reacted fast in burden on the low-waged and low- to involve children under 12 implementing measures to mitigate pensioners. and marginalised children in the socio-economic effect of the consultations or formal child-led pandemic, but it is far from sufficient Views on the Semester bodies in a substantial way. for it to improve the situation of process children in poverty. Despite the existing Communication Fighting unemployment is a critical Mechanism between ministries, Access to financial resources issue, however, NGOs regret that the the presidency and children, in the family Country-Specific Recommendations the recognition of the Children’s (CSR) did not mention social issues Parliament as an “equal partner” Preventing the closure of stores or children. in the Parallel Parliaments, the and loss of jobs remains the main existence of Formal School Councils challenge to mitigate the economic Children’s participation (by law) and the willingness of the implications of the crisis. The political system to listen to children government was quick in reacting to The government set up mechanisms there is room for improvement. The the pandemic and setting measures to listen to children and has made Pancyprian Coordinating Committee to support salaries, online education, significant progress since 2018. for the Protection and Welfare and access to health care. Children’s Children were on the agenda and of Children (PCCPWC) is calling access to services will not be civil society organisations were for a change in the law allowing substantially affected but access hopeful there would be a strategy individuals under the age of 18 to to free services might be limited in place to fight child poverty and form their own NGOs (child-led Alternative Convention on the Rights of the recommendations Child and respecting the principle of acting in the best interest of the Children in Alternative Care: child. Czechia • The government should assess • Develop a long-term strategy thoroughly the impact of the for the rights of the child and COVID-19 crisis to build back short-term national action plan on Country Profile on the European better by strengthening personnel investing in children. Semester and COVID-19 crisis capacities of institutions and preparing feasible guidelines to • Set up a Ministry for Family, from a children’s rights perspective ensure child needs are fulfilled Children and Youth. including their participation in education. • Set up an Ombudsperson for Children. • Family counselling services should be reinforced • Support civil society organisations active in this field, especially Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC • The government should those promoting the rights of the Alliance for the Rights of Total number of Number of harmonise the fragmented child. institutions/SGHs children the Child, DCI Czechia, child-protection system currently administered by three ministries1 • Ensure child friendly justice. NGO Big Dipper North Institutional care (in 207 6,5531 total) in 2019 to be able to coordinate and Institutions for 204 1,823 cooperate during the crisis • Actively promote the Child people with situation such as COVID-19 and Guarantee at the EU level. disabilities provide adequate support to 13 % Institutions for 26 2652 children 0-3 vulnerable children and young • The government should provide Number of children 20,295 people in alternative care. schools with financial aid in order Children at risk of poverty or social in family-based/ to ensure that all children have a exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 foster care in 2019 To support children and families, laptop and Internet connection to the government should: use for online learning activities.

• Introduce an Act on Children and Youth, implementing the 1 Statistická ročenka školství – Statistical yearbook of education 1 Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family; Ministry of Health; and Ministry of Education. 2 Bývalé kojenecké ústavy v roce 2020 36 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty - Impact of the COVID-19 crisis

Government's support for families and children during the Negative developments Positive developments Examples of good COVID-19 pandemic: practice  Home schooling is an important Financial benefits problem to address because online  Positive EU impact on more lessons and homework were not Numerous workshops were set up child-centred legislation at accessible to all the children. It The government provided financial to sew facemasks in buildings that national level: proved to be especially difficult benefits for parents staying at home had been closed to the public (like  for families already experiencing in order to care for children when theatres), and the masks were then poverty and social exclusion. schools were closed down. The distributed for free. 2020 Country-Specific Moreover, school tests raised benefits amounted to up to 80% of Recommendations: serious difficulties, notably when the daily wage and were prolonged The Czech Children and Youth  preparing children for the test to get from nine days to the end of the Council (national umbrella NGO) to secondary schools and for the school year. successfully lobbied the government Government's efforts to high school graduation exam. to allow children’s vacation camps to provide sufficient resources TV educational programmes open during the summer break. and services for families and Visits to children in hospitals or  children: social facilities had to be banned or Volunteers from several NGOs (e.g.  restricted. A public national TV channel has the Red Cross and Scout) were been created to provide education also buying and delivering food Government’s protection of NGOs also daily face serious to those children that had to stay at and medicines to families under children’s right to participate: challenges due to the coronavirus. home. quarantine.  Many social services had to be stopped because of the Child benefits An initiative of medicine students pandemic, for example, while  was assisting those families and physical workshops, seminars and homes with nursing. conferences had to be postponed or The government proposed a cancelled. bill to introduce substitutional Example of bad practice maintenance payments for children NGOs have registered an increase in of a single parent. A ban on visits in prisons was cases of domestic violence. imposed during the lockdown. Later, visits for one person at a Country profiles - Czechia | 37 time were allowed, but it meant from visiting their detained or one minor (more siblings are not allowed) may accompany an adult children were still prevented imprisoned parent. Now, only visitor once a month for one hour.

Policies for Investing in Children

cases in which parents are not able establish an office of Ombudsperson National strategy to EU influence on national to assist their children. for Children. The bill was drafted but tackle child poverty developments not adopted; the government failed The EU should call for the state to to push for it. prevent domestic violence and offer Czechia does not have a separate The EU has not been able to mediation services to families free of Czechia needs to implement a vast national strategy to fight child pressure the government to charge. number of political instruments poverty, despite the urgent need implement child-centred legislation. in the future in order to ensure for one. This clearly shows that, in It should issue more binding The 2020 Country-Specific adequate resources and services. recent years, children have not been guidelines on the issue and Recommendations were generally The most urgent are: a priority for politicians, media and monitor their implementation more well drafted, but lacked any mention society in general. efficiently. of children that could have been • promoting job sharing practices used to better protect children’s The country has not established The EU should advocate for school rights in the country. • establishing a shorter working a coordinated system and meals to be free for all children. In week comprehensive strategy for the the process, priority should be given rights of the child. Responsibilities to the food provided to children Access to financial • setting up universal child benefits are divided among several ministries in kindergartens, and then in resources and services of and universal basic income which do not communicate with elementary schools. high quality each other and resist any changes to • investing in education in order to the status quo. The EU should also call for the state ensure that all children enjoy the to provide kindergartens free of The government’s effort to ensure same opportunities. charge for all children from the age adequate resources and services to of three years and free of charge families and children is reasonable, afternoon courses at elementary but should improve. Children’s participation schools. This would help to ensure homework assistance in all those The Prime Minister promised in a In 2005, the School Education Act public statement in June 2020 to established student parliaments 38 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester in schools. Participatory structures voluntary basis, without their A representative of the Children Child) at its last session, on 16 June exist in some municipalities and own budgets, and without being and Youth Parliament was invited 2020. regions, such as the National regulated by law. to participate as a full member of Children and Youth Parliament. the governmental advisory body Individual participation at the courts However, these operate on a (Committee for the Rights of the of justice has improved since 2015.

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

covers institutional care for children children, facilities for immediate residential settings. Social workers Impact of the COVID-19 under three years. As observed by assistance to children). All children were helping children to attend online crisis Eurochild member the NGO Big had to stay in the facility for the education. In some cases, one social Dipper North during the pandemic, whole time which meant an worker assisted five to eight children different ministries have released enormous increase in work for the of different ages without adequate Similar to other countries the different guidelines, in some cases professionals working in these technological equipment. Other Czechia announced a lockdown contradictory to each other. institutions. The increased demand challenges included postponement between March and May 2020 for extra personnel remained unmet of medical treatment, growing mental which lead to the closure of most Children, vulnerable children in from the authorities. Instead other health problems of children and public institutions including schools. particular, did not have access to the organisations and individuals the burden of compliance with very At the same time, strict measures usual channels which provide help including private philanthropists demanding hygiene guidelines. on personal protection and social such as schools, other relatives, day- and universities provided support. distancing were introduced. care centres or even special therapy Furthermore, some workers in Residential facilities recorded centres. Big Dipper North points out residential facilities took voluntary a higher number of escapes by In the Czechia there are three that civil society organisations were weekly shifts remaining in the children and it took some time ministries that oversee child forced to come up with innovative building for 24h and longer before the Ministry of Education protection. The Ministry of Labour solutions such as counselling and according to the needs. Children offered some recommendations and Social Affairs is responsible provision of therapy over the phone, (aged three to ten) of health- and on how to proceed when a child for social services and the social skype and other online platforms. social-care professionals were returned. In general, there was a lack and legal protection of children; the allowed to attend kindergartens of basic information and support Ministry of Education, Youth and This extraordinary situation has put and schools thanks to regional on how to take care of children in Sports administers institutional care an extra strain on residential care authorities’ decision. non-standard conditions such as the for children from three to 26 years facilities: institutions for children COVID-19 pandemic. For example, and leisure-time facilities for children and social residential services An extra challenge was to guarantee the Ministry of Labour and Social and youth; and the Ministry of Health (e.g. shelters for mothers with progress on education in all Affairs issued an order allowing Country profiles - Czechia | 39 visits by parents to institutional care could follow the school assignments is a long-term problem. EU funds As the Child and Family Association facilities as well as allowing children correctly. Due to the closure of are available to pilot or innovative points out, the placement of children to stay (visit) outside the institution. ambulance or day-centres foster projects in the field of prevention under three years in institutional However, many institutions banned families received the various types however, the sustainability of these care in the Czechia is unusual not the visits (both in and out) to protect of support via online counselling. projects is not secured by other only for an EU country, but also for children and staff. Contact between biological parents means of funding. the rest of the developed world. and children was not restricted, but They also believe that in the vast Two months of social isolation lead there was less contact by mutual Since the traditional support majority of cases, institutional to many conflicts between children agreement among the foster family, mechanisms were not in place care is unnecessary, in addition to and between children and carers the biological family and the service (schools, community centres, other increasing spending on institutional because there was no mental-health provider in order to protect the relatives) telephone and help line health and social care, money which support to either children or carers health of all. In most cases everyone services received more demands. could be spent more efficiently on to help them face this extraordinary cooperated and temporarily limited They have not recorded higher rate supporting families at risk and the situation. The Big Dipper North face-to-face contact. of violence against children. development of family-based care. NGOs highlights how determined New legislation and an amendment the pedagogues/carers working in Most NGOs in Czechia are financed to the Act on the Social and Legal institutions were since they took from multiple sources (grants, Progress on child Protection of Children introduced over all roles of: a substitute parent, donors, state subsidies and self- protection and care in June 2020 by the Czech a teacher, a medical doctor and a financing). As the economy has reform government has offered some psychologist to ensure the wellbeing slowed down this was reflected in progressive solutions, see below. of children. the income of NGOs (some grants were suspended, the number of The transformation of the care The aim of the amendment is Foster families felt the greatest donors was reduced because their system for children at risk in the to ban placing children under burden when the schools and own business went bankrupt, etc.). Czechia was approved by the three in institutional care and kindergartens were closed. It was Although some services for families government in 2012 in the National increase the remuneration for challenging to manage home and children are funded by the state, Strategy for the Protection of foster parents. The amendment education (according to school NGOs still need to seek additional Children's Rights and in the National introduces the restriction of the demands) as well as to secure funding because the subsidy is only Action Plan for its implementation placement of children under technical support for this type available for some activities. Usually (for the years 2012-2015, not three years in institutional care. of education. One of the parents there is only project funding by the fulfilled, the foreseen follow-up Out-of-home placement and always had to stay at home with government, no core funding. The plan has not been adopted by services should be provided to the children and could not work. Big Dipper North NGO points out now). The progress towards only those children under three They also approached sponsors that the financial sustainability of deinstitutionalisation of children in years old whose condition requires to obtain laptops so that children NGOs providing social services alternative care has been very slow. intensive specialised health care. 40 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

The amendment also introduces alternative care in order to support Social Fund (1 January 2016 to 30 better educational outcomes and an obligation, therefore, for all them in their further studies. Higher June 2019) “System development increase their chances for better institutional facilities to notify social education is key to their further and support of instruments for employment and living standards. and legal protection bodies for professional employment and the social and legal protection of There were also systemic projects children, because currently, many independence from state social children”. The project focuses on: that aimed at adjusting the current children are placed in children's support systems. The amendment supporting the transformation legislation and funding support institutions by their parents on the also provides for assistance to of the system for children at risk; measures for children and families basis of a contract with the facility, these young people in finding and strengthening inter-ministerial and from disadvantaged communities without informing social and legal maintaining housing. 2 multidisciplinary cooperation; support (e.g. a teaching assistant). protection bodies who cannot then for social and legal protection bodies offer timely assistance to families. Although the amendment was long- for children and other key actors in DCI Czechia suggests that this awaited the professionals including the field of networking services for practice should be prevented by law. the Child and Family Association vulnerable children and their families. pointed out its weaknesses. 3 They Its ambition was to create service According to the government there regret that the adopted government networks at the local, regional and is a long-term shortage of foster proposal does not reflect the national levels to ensure modules for carers, particularly for short-term recommendations of experts in the lifelong learning for social workers and care, partly due to the fact that their care sector and does not respond to the development of family-based care. remuneration has not been increased the long-term efforts to introduce a since 2013. The amendment to comprehensive concept4. A large amount of EU funds the Act on the Social and Legal managed by the Ministry of Protection of Children attempts to Education was spent on the respond to this by increasing it up to EU funds inclusion of children who are socially CZK 22,000 (EUR 800) a month. excluded or at risk in mainstream There were specific calls for proposals education. Eligible applicants The amendment also comes with to tackle the issues of vulnerable included schools, school facilities a care allowance of CZK 15,000 families and children. For example, and NGOs. The aim was to integrate (EUR 555) per month for young the Ministry of Labour implemented disadvantaged children into adults when they become too old for a project financed from the European education to be able to achieve

2 MPSV prosadilo významnou pomoc pro pěstouny a ohrožené děti 3 Otevřený dopis k návrhu novely zákona o sociálně-právní ochraně dětí ochraně dětí 4 They consider a new measure that introduces different remuneration for short- and long-term carers unfair and not justifiable. They insist that long-term care is desirable from the point of view of the child's needs and, as a number of studies have shown, also more economical for the state than institutional care. There is still an insufficient number of long-term foster parents too, which is why hundreds of children, who could otherwise grow up in a family background, are placed in institutional care completely unnecessarily every year. The remuneration for caring for one child is insufficient (CZK 12,000/EUR 444 per month), and does not correspond to the minimum salary (CZK 14,600 = EUR 540). If the foster parent is not employed, he/she even has to pay extra for health insurance. Other support services for foster families remained underfinanced too. Denmark Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC Joint Council for Child Total number of small Number of children residential settings Issues (Børnesagens Total number of children in alternative care 11,4281 Fællesråd); Geert Jorgensen Residential care in 2019 370 4,6602 (child rights expert & Children with disabilities & children 0-3 1,905 + 28 independent consultant) Number of children in family-based/foster 7,5403 care in 2015 Number of unaccompanied minors in 2019 2174 13.2 % Small Group Homes (SGHs) 1,501

Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) in 2019

1 https://www.statistikbanken.dk/ANBAAR15 2 More accurate information is not available. All Danish social services are registered in the national portal Tilbudsportalen, but they are registered after the services they provide and many have more than one service and thus appear as more than one institution or group home. Thus having no accurate figures for the number of institutions and group homes today, a guess is that there are approximately 120 institutions with an average of between 15-18 places, and approximately 250 group homes with an average of between eight to ten places for children and young people including 18 years and above. 3 Due to registration problems Statistics Denmark has said that they expect that from 2021 it will again be possible to distinguish between the different forms of foster care. 2015 is the last year where it is possible to find a divided statistic: Number of children in family-based/foster care: 5.936; Number of children in kinship care: 879. 4 Tal på udlændingeområdet pr. 30.09.2020 42 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Alternative could prolong existing measures if another lockdown should children in child nurseries, day- recommendations such as wage compensation, prove necessary, ensuring that cares and schools. unemployment benefits or children in vulnerable situations Supporting children and student loans for persons with will be protected. In this • With regard to day-care and families in the short term: low income. Furthermore, it regard, the government should children in vulnerable situations, should specifically support ensure adequate educational factors such as smaller groups • It is crucial that all children get financially unstable families with equipment, especially for and the fact that children have back to school, day-care and children. children in vulnerable situations, been in “family groups” with other activities outside their in order to ensure children’s right one adult as a contact, instead home as soon as possible. • It is important to make sure that to education during times of of several, have had a positive Schools, sports clubs, children in vulnerable situations home schooling. impact on their well-being communes must therefore try to do not fall behind in school. (FOA2). This insight should be reach out to the most vulnerable Extra measures must be taken • The government should consider taken into consideration by the part of their communities and to make sure that these children that focus on general health government for the future. ensure that they are not left are supported. would benefit the population behind in this process. The as a whole as well as the most • Remain focused on the value of re-opening of this structure will • It is crucial to keep supporting vulnerable groups. Hand hygiene, supporting children and families help to discover potential issues the most vulnerable groups of open spaces, sleep, nutrition, in vulnerable situations to break with children, such as domestic society.1 outdoor activities and sports the cycle of disadvantage, violence that is currently may help brake another wave. enable them to thrive and avoid witnessing a stark increase. Supporting children and larger costs in the future. families in the long term: • In Denmark, the number of child • The government should provide infections have dropped after the families who suffered financially • The government should corona outbreak due to better due to the lockdown period with prepare an emergency plan hygiene and smaller groups of financial aid. For instance, it in order to promptly react

1 As an example, see the agreement made by the Danish government and supporting parties that insures help for vulnerable groups: Aftale om initiativer for sårbare og udsatte grupper i forbin-delse med COVID-19 2 Mindre børnegrupper har været godt for børnenes trivsel Country profiles - Denmark | 43

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for insufficient stimulation for children after a long time without social families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 due to the lack of resources in their contact with other children. COVID-19 pandemic: crisis homes.  Challenges in supporting Civil society organisations (CSO’s) families and children Positive EU impact on more The government’s support to had to deal with a number of hurdles child-centred legislation at families and children during such as difficulties in funding; a Many of the challenges that children national level: the crisis rising demand among children and were experiencing before the  families for basic necessities such outbreak have been worryingly The government provided financial as food and computers for home exacerbated. A telling example 2020 Country-Specific aid for civil society organisations schooling and digital learning. CSO’s concerns psychological challenges Recommendations: working with children in vulnerable also struggled to plan activities due such as depression, anxiety or  situations. Additional student to uncertainties about the future. stress. The following passage from loans were made available and the an applicant for financial support Government's efforts to period that unemployment benefits Good practice is a good illustration of the many provide sufficient resources could be paid was extended by two challenges the lockdown brought: and services for families and months. Many civil society organisations children: provided financial aid, counselling  Furthermore, the government and “activity” packages to use supported the labour market with during lockdown. There have been a system of compensation for lost a lot of examples of resourceful wages (lønkompensation). people who helped families with sick members and families in vulnerable Negative developments situations by buying supplies and basic necessities or providing child Children and families had to face care. numerous challenges including unemployment and a lack of Several NGO’s have made a big adequate equipment for home effort to give children in vulnerable schooling such as computers and situations and their families the Wi-Fi connection. There was also opportunity to go to summer camps 44 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

I am early retired and have Sources chronic pains, a psychological disorder (borderline) and • Survey3 about pedagogues’ impression anxiety. I am, as many other of children’s well-being under Covid families, under pressure because of restrictions indicating that many corona. But my resources, both mental children are thriving when activities are and physical, are a huge challenge. organised in smaller groups. I have to be a full-time mum, aunt, teacher and replace the missing friends. • Report4 from UNICEF showing that My son usually attends boarding school children in Danish schools are behaving and it definitely shows that I now have a very responsibly when it comes to keeping their distance and maintaining teenager at home with a huge appetite. good hygiene. Three quarters say they Besides that, I had to buy video games miss their friends. for the computer so he can play with his friends and be social in that way. • A detailed report5 based on a survey My daughter has problems with her in Danish schools showing that 92% weight and therefore follows a special miss their friends and almost as many diet that is quite expensive. Besides miss their out-of-school activities. At that, she needs a lot of exercise so I the same time qualitative answers from have invested in outdoor activities that the survey show that the children with we all three can do together. I call that mental challenges and their parents our physical education. I have also are having a harder time dealing with introduced cooking classes and at the the schools’ shut-down. same time I have to give feedback on their papers. All this takes extra energy from my side. I have to be able to accept that it is chaotic and not knowing what the future will bring reinforces my anxiety. So yes, I am working overtime both mentally, physically and economically. 3 Mindre børnegrupper har været godt for børnenes trivsel 4 Børn og unge under Corona-krisen 5 Nødundervisningunder corona-krisen– et elev- og forældreperspektiv Country profiles - Denmark | 45

Policies for Investing in Children

have children from the age of 0-14 Recommendations National strategy to and are affected by the above- Overall improvement tackle child poverty mentioned legislation. Furthermore, in the protection of • Introduce an official national a commission has been formed children’s rights poverty target, based for with the purpose of re-evaluating instance on the definition by The former national poverty limit the current unemployment benefit EUROSTAT (AROPE), or the introduced in June 2013 was system. The current government has OECD. abolished in 2015. As of 2020, introduced a temporary benefit for Denmark still does not have an Overall, the government does not those under the benefit ceiling and • Abolish the benefit ceiling. official poverty threshold. Using have a national strategy to tackle migrants. This temporary benefit is the OECD definition of poverty, child poverty. Time will tell whether supposed to remedy the rise in child • Apply a non-discriminatory however, we can conclude that by the commission will come up with poverty of the last five years caused principle when taking steps 2017 child poverty was on the rise, recommendations to ensure lower by the reduction in unemployment to abolish child poverty in with 64,500 children in families child poverty in Denmark.6 Without a benefits and the imposition of the Denmark. living below the poverty threshold. national poverty target, as proposed benefit ceiling. This was partly due to a 2016 in the sustainable development piece of legislation known as ‘the goals (SDGs), it seems very difficult Unfortunately, the government’s EU influence on national benefits ceiling’ which put a cap to tackle child poverty without will to implement laws to improve developments on the total amount of income one measuring it first. Having a national the rights of children in vulnerable person can receive in social benefits. strategy, and first of all a national situations is not always reflected This law heavily affected persons poverty limit, would make it easier to in reality. Children in care have • The EU was inefficient in receiving unemployment benefits or justify measures in order to help the been specifically targeted in these pressuring the government integration benefits. most vulnerable. discussions. While we welcome to implement child-centred the focus on children in care, the legislation. The government has taken law proposes more early forced measures to mitigate the rise in adoptions instead of preventive • The 2020 Country-Specific child poverty by introducing a measures that could help families Recommendations were temporary child benefit, active since stay together and give the children negatively evaluated. The January 2020, for persons who lasting relations with their parents.7 recommendations encourage

6 The government has set out a plan to secure the most vulnerable in this time of crises: Aftale om initiativer for sårbare og udsatte grupper i forbin-delse med COVID-19 7 Faktaark – ”Barnet først” 46 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

the state to adopt all necessary Access to financial do not receive the help they need. Recommendations for measures to counter the resources and services of This again has an impact on their the government pandemic and support the high quality children who will not have the same economy. But if it does not opportunities as their peers. This • Support public housing. include measures that ensure difference has been worsened by help and support for the most The government reasonably ensured the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving • Help children in institutional vulnerable, the state will risk adequate resources and services behind many children in vulnerable care/family care to take an failing many families and children to families and children. The Danish situations. education. in need. The EU should highlight system of unemployment benefits more efficiently the potential of is totally digitalised. This means Furthermore, only a very small • Provide additional help in investing in children in vulnerable that in order to seek the benefits number of children in vulnerable schools with children in situations, for which without you must be able to read, write and situations and adults on vulnerable positions. adequate measures by the have computer skills. Many people in unemployment benefits do sport government inequalities will be vulnerable positions do not have the in their spare time. This is an issue • Support children in carried into adulthood, creating necessary resources to figure out for the general health of this group institutional care/family further expenditures for the state. what types of help they are entitled and a big challenge for the years to care in the passage from to and what rules and laws to follow. come.8 childhood to adulthood. The consequence is that often they

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

and schools. Some schools have with guidelines to prevent the reopening in April 2020. Measures Impact of the COVID-19 managed better than others in spread of the virus. The varied extent include the establishment of crisis terms of quality, support and scope. and quality of online teaching has partnerships across authorities, civil Having found that discontinuing also been a big challenge for group society, cultural institutions, private everyday life and teaching would homes and institutions, as well as actors and the public sector that can Like many other countries, with have much worse impacts on the absence of many possibilities for develop initiatives that counteract the increased spread of COVID-19, children in vulnerable situations, sports and leisure activities. loneliness and vulnerability and Denmark closed schools changing schools for children with special support socially disadvantaged to a web based approach. This has needs, which are usually smaller The Danish government decided to children and young people. been a challenge for both children than other schools, were held open extend the first phase of a controlled

8 Danskernes Motions- Og Sportsvaner Under Genåbningem; Socialt Udsatte I Idrætten - Definitioner og eksisterende viden Country profiles - Denmark | 47

New methods will be found to enable enable individual initiatives to child's current situation and thus the stays for the target group, can apply visits from family and relatives in a be launched locally for students, opportunity to act if needed. for funding. The funds will support medically safe manner, and in the who are particularly vulnerable to holiday stays, day trips or music and coming days, the parties will discuss interruptions in their education. Families in vulnerable positions cultural events for families, children the individual initiatives in more Moreover, a further DKK 10 who are struggling on a daily and young people in the summer detail with the relevant ministers and million was allocated for renewed basis with abuse, loneliness, of 2020, autumn of 2020 or in the authorities. grants to selected voluntary mental or financial challenges, winter of 2020/2021 to enable organisations, sports associations and who have had a particularly socially disadvantaged families and Children in vulnerable and scout corps, including Lær for difficult time during the COVID-19 children to attend holiday camps or situations must return to Livet, Julemærkehjemmene and pandemic, could search for help pursue day trips. school Muskelsvindfonden. The funds from the following organisations: must be used to strengthen the Mentorbarn, Børnehjælpsdagen, Very importantly, a Student The government has agreed to set associations' and organisations' Børns Vilkår, Dansk Røde Kors, Counselling programme was aside DKK 60 million in 2020 for outreach work and efforts with Blå Kors, Mødrehjælpen, KFUM’s launched to initiate outreach local efforts that can help close the a focus on children and young sociale arbejde, Red Barnet and activities as well as create additional academic gaps faced by students in people in vulnerable situations: their Kirkens Korshær that received an opportunities for counselling of vulnerable situations as a result of learning and well-being in day care, extra funding of DKK 13.5 million the most vulnerable and mentally the closure, such as turbo courses, school and leisure time, including in 2020. The funds can be used vulnerable groups of students as learning camps, specially designed homework and learning activities, for purely practical things such as well as for initiatives in connection teaching courses in the schools leisure sessions, summer camps, basic necessities, medicines and with the gradual opening of the and extra homework cafes. The family friends, etc. food, but also to reduce waiting higher education institutions and detailed implementation will be lists, increase the organisations' for increased visibility of the Student clarified and negotiated by the The Family Court's child experts outreach work and increase staffing Counselling’s offers. Ministry of Children and Education remained in contact with the for advice, help and support. with the children and education children with the purpose of Furthermore, voluntary social Preventing the unnecessary spokespersons9. ensuring support and relief through associations, sports associations entry of children into a hand-held process and answering and scout organisations as well as alternative care In 2020 DKK 14 million were the child's questions. At the same non-profit housing associations, allocated to the preparatory time, insight is created into the folk high schools and cultural There is no indication of gatekeeping basic education - FGU10 to institutions, which hold holiday mechanisms other than those

9 Aftale om initiativer for sårbare og udsatte grupper i forbin-delse med COVID-19 10 The preparatory basic education (Forberedende Grunduddannelse - FGU) is aimed at young people who are under 25 years of age and are not yet ready to start or complete another upper secondary education. It can be for professional, personal or social reasons. The purpose of FGU is that you can subsequently continue on a vocational education, a high school education or in a job. FGU consists of different educational tracks, which can be adapted to your needs and interests. 48 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester existing in the Social Service Law. group homes’ that accommodate 8 connection between the child and Children in migration Prevention of placement and the – 10 children, and the rest, especially their parents and the cooperation aim of reuniting the child with the the largest, might more correctly of the care setting, the local If granted asylum, migrant children parents are fundamental in the law according to UN definitions be municipality and the birth family. are placed in a local municipality, (though not always in practice). called ‘institutions’. According to which administers their case. The their national organisation, the most Care leavers number of unaccompanied minors The main reasons for children common size of Danish institutions in the past five years has declined entering alternative care are: for children and young people is 20 – There is no indication of any special significantly from 2,144 in 2014 to worrying behaviour by the child; 24 places in four groups. efforts to support specifically young 217 in 2019. significant or permanent impairment care leavers during the pandemic. of physical or mental functioning In February, the Ministry of Social It is supposed to be dealt with Currently, there is one Reception in children; worrying behaviour of Affairs stated that it intended to under the existing paragraph in Centre in Denmark run by the Danish parents and other forms of neglect; introduce a ‘Law of the Child’ to the Social Service Law. According Red Cross on behalf of the Ministry school problems and abuse against strengthen the efforts to support to Eurochild’s Danish member the of Foreigners and Integration. Here a child11. children and young people in emphasis is unfortunately on “can” the unaccompanied minors stay vulnerable situations so that they rather than “must” which makes it for several days. Afterwards they Progress on child protection receive the right help and support highly likely there will be differences are moved to one of the Refugee and care reform early in their lives. The starting point between municipalities and Children’s Centres under the Ministry of the law is that the child exists in insufficient support to many care of Foreigners and Integration, run Initially there was a mainstreaming his or her own right and that their leavers. by one of the local municipalities of group homes in Denmark. In needs are put first to a greater where they stay while their case 1997, a survey showed that the extent. The Minister for Social Affairs People working with aftercare is examined by the Ministry. average number of children in has encouraged contributions to observed young people finding it When their case has been settled group homes was 5.6. Seventy-four the work of writing the proposed difficult to get in contact with local they pass on to one of the local percent were established by and law. However, this work has been municipalities and case workers municipalities that decides where around a couple living together postponed during the lockdown, during the period where a lot of the to place them. It can be in kinship with the children as a form of foster but it was planned to continue it in municipal staff were working online care if they have relatives living in family with some staff assistance. In August. Professionals, researchers or from home. Denmark, foster care, group homes, the past 20 years this has changed and parent organisations have institutions, supported independent and the group homes have moved raised concerns that although many living or other placements. towards institutions. Most of them of the ideas behind the proposal are can be still categorised as ‘small good, it has too little focus on the

11 Udslagsgivende årsager til iværksatte anbringelser efter landsdel, årsag til anbringelse, alder og køn Country profiles - Denmark | 49

Due to the fall in unaccompanied minors there does not seem to be a shortage of places. However, the local authorities do not register these children separately from other children in the statistics of children placed in alternative care, so it is not possible to tell how many of the different options the children are placed in.

EU funds

At a national level, there gerenerally is a lack of knowledge of EU funds allocated for the implementation of a legislative and/or policy framework related to families in vulnerable situations and children in care. England Country Profile on the COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributor: Alternative health and the economy as the early years’ settings and schools Children's Rights Alliance Recommendations three pillars of the government’s so attainment gains are protected; for England (CRAE) response. The voices and and unprecedented investment in Supporting children and rights of children must be at children’s mental health. families in the context of the heart of the recovery and 29.9 % COVID-19 in the short term: rebuilding process. This must be • The government must conduct accompanied by a commitment a review of the social security Children at risk of poverty or social • The government needs to to protect children whose rights system, as part of a broader exclusion (AROPE) in 2018 in the ensure that all children are are more at risk, such as those child poverty strategy to ensure whole of UK transitioning back to school with disabilities, asylum seekers, it is sufficient to enable all successfully and children, abuse victims and those from households to have an adequate in particular young children minority communities. standard of living. are kept in school during the future lockdowns as long as the Supporting children and • The government should evidence shows it is safe to do families in the context of take this opportunity to end so. Supporting children’s mental COVID-19 in the long term: homelessness for all children health, well-being and reducing and families and renew the educational inequality should be • There should be urgent action ban on rough sleeping and at the heart of this. and investment across local evictions which was in place and national government, until September 2020 as a result • The government should put in including: funding for early help of COVID-19. They should also place a comprehensive strategy universal services and public ensure that all children and that embraces a new vision of health; supporting innovation and families have access to suitable childhood to support children integrated working, particularly self-contained accommodation, to recover from the impact of with charities; dedicated financial including households with no COVID-19 and ensure they join support for children; support for recourse to public funds. Country profiles - England | 51

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty Government's support for families and children during the During the pandemic, the place whilst schools are not open COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of the COVID-19 government introduced a series of for all children.2 These changes  crisis new regulations relaxing duties for have expired but there will likely be children in a number of vital areas. a lasting impact on children who Government's efforts to  lost their entitlement to support provide sufficient resources Government support for the first time since 2014. and services for families and • Social care for children: children: The government provided a free regulations which involved 65 • Children who have been  school meals voucher scheme losses or dilutions of safeguards excluded from school: These for all key workers and children for children in care, and children regulations created potentially Government’s protection of in vulnerable situations in school who could come into care were long delays for children attempting children’s right to participate: whilst schools were closed, for those in force until September 2020.1 to hold schools to account over  at home who meet the benefits- Though the majority of those unfair school exclusions, which related eligibility criteria and over the changes have now lapsed, there will have inevitably impacted summer holidays, for families with may be long-term consequences most harshly on pupils with SEND. no recourse to public funds who are for the children who were in care These changes have been relaxed not normally eligible for free school during this period. but not ended, and are set to meals. In October 2020, MPs voted continue in some form until at against extending free school meals • Children with special least March 2021. during half term and the school educational needs and disability holidays with the Government (SEND): these downgraded The government is providing coming under increased pressure to the duties and delayed the laptops and tablets for provide more funding to ensure that timescales for the assessment disadvantaged families, children and children do not go hungry. and preparation of an Education young people who do not currently  Health Care Plan which enables have access to them, including care children with SEND to access leavers, children and young people specific resources and a school aged 0 to 19 or young children’s

1 The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 – The safeguards affected include: social worker visits; reviews of children’s welfare in care; independent scrutiny of children’s homes, prospective adoptive parents and foster carers; and the process for placing children in care away from their home areas, including outside of England. 2 The Special Educational Needs and Disability (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. See also Regulation 5. Notice of the Secretary of State for Education (2020) Coronavirus Act 2020 Modification of section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (England) Notice 2020 52 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester families with a social worker, and There are huge safeguarding The COVID-19 pandemic is basic necessities such as food as disadvantaged year 10 pupils. concerns in regards to how the exacerbating already high levels young people have lost jobs. Internet access will be provided lockdown impeded the ability of of poor mental health amongst through 4G wireless routers for professionals to reach and support children as they feel more anxious, • Having to work remotely care leavers, secondary school the children in the most vulnerable isolated and uncertain as well as has created challenges for all pupils with a social worker and situations, with children hidden from making it more difficult for those organisations but particularly disadvantaged year 10 pupils. There view and issues going undetected with existing mental health needs to those that work through face are concerns about how effectively by professionals whilst schools access support.7 to face support through young this is being rolled out. have been closed.6 Early indications people, one on one or in groups.  are pointing to an increase in NGOs had to face numerous future demand for safeguarding, challenges, among which: Good practice Negative developments 3 mental health and other high- need services. There are concerns • Loss of funding – many children’s Children's Rights Alliance for Schools were shut from 20 March that the current lockdown is charities rely on donations from England has been working with 2020 until September 2020 for placing children at increased risk of the public, shop income and 15 other children’s charities to most year groups. Children had to domestic abuse. Refuge (Domestic fundraising from large events gather intelligence on the impact be home-schooled by parents or Violence Support) reported a 700% which have had to be cancelled. of COVID-19 and issues facing the carers who were also working, may rise in calls to its National Domestic children’s sector and its services not have had access to the internet Abuse Helpline in a single day. The • Many charities are seeing a rise through a survey to children’s or computers or the educational number of domestic homicides is in need for support for their sector statutory and voluntary knowledge or skills to teach their far higher than the average rate services as mental health and professionals.8 children. This is likely to have further for the time of year. Contacts to safeguarding needs rise and increased educational inequalities the National Society for Prevention children in care or care leavers are between children who were already of Cruelty to Children’s (NSPCC) more isolated and social services disadvantaged, and undo progress Helpline about children experiencing are operating under capacity or which has been made in recent domestic abuse also increased by remotely, meaning charities have years4 to close the significant 10% during the lockdown period. to plug the gaps. Many are also educational attainment gap.5 reporting a rise in the need for crisis financial support to access

3 Please see here for a summary of the main issues affecting children and the recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic. 4 Education Policy Institute (2020) Education in England: annual report 5 Clare Lally and Rowena Bermingham for UK Parliament (2020) COVID-19 and the disadvantage gap Rapid response 6 Recovery Plan – Safeguarding and Child Protection (2020) 7 Coronavirus: Impact on young people with mental health needs; Marsh, S., Hill, A. (21 October 2020) ‘Figures lay bare toll of pandemic on UK children's mental health’ The Guardian 8 More information can be found here Country profiles - England | 53

Policies for Investing in Children

out of poverty, despite evidence that incomes, a strategy to address child Emerging data on the impacts National strategy to the majority of households living in poverty is more important than ever. of COVID-19 shows that 42% of tackle child poverty poverty are also working. 9 families with children, and single parents in particular, are facing There has been a lack of political Access to adequate serious financial difficulties and There is no strategy or targets to will by the UK government to financial resources struggling to make ends meet, tackle child poverty in England. re-introduce a strategy, while the compared to 24% of other There has been no progress on devolved administrations in Scotland households.12 The Trussell Trust re-introducing binding targets to and Wales have developed their own Before COVID-19, there were 4.2 has reported that the number of eradicate child poverty in England child poverty reduction strategies. million children living in poverty families with children receiving food or on developing a strategy for in the UK in 2018-19, around parcels has almost doubled, when achieving them, despite calls by the CRAE has consistently called for a 30% of children.10 A report by the compared to the same period last UN Committee on the Rights of the strategy to tackle child poverty in Institute of Public Policy Research year.13 Child (UNCRC) and the Equality and England, as part of wider reforms has predicted that the number of Human Rights Commission (EHRC). needed in the field. CRAE has children living in relative poverty is Many non-UK nationals who have also consistently called on the now 4.5 million, with an increase of leave to remain in the UK (e.g. those The UK government’s cross- government to urgently develop, 200,000 compared to 2018/19.11 on work or family visas) are subject departmental unit on child poverty fund and implement an action plan to the ‘no recourse to public funds’ was abolished in December 2016, to reduce the number of children Regressive reforms to the social (NRPF) condition, which prohibits shortly after the repeal of the Child in poverty and to ensure progress, security system over recent them from claiming most social Poverty Act 2010. This removed monitoring and reporting against the years, coupled with insecure and security benefits. Some British the duty to report on child poverty indicators that were contained in the insufficiently paid work and high children whose parent(s) have NRPF reduction targets and to produce a Child Poverty Act 2010. Given the housing and childcare costs, has due to their immigration status are Child Poverty Strategy. The Child growing levels of child poverty in the meant that low-income households also left unable to access many Poverty Act 2010 was replaced by UK, and the potentially devastating have not had sufficient financial benefits, as they cannot make a the Welfare Reform and Work Act impacts of COVID-19 on families and resources to ensure an adequate claim in their own right. While the and the government has insisted households on low and precarious standard of living. exact number of children affected by that employment is the best route the NRPF restrictions is not known,

9 What has driven the rise of in-work poverty? D. Innes, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, February 2020 10 Households Below Average Income, Statistics on the number and percentage of people living in low income households for financial years 1994/95 to 2018/19, Tables 4a and 4b. Department for Work and Pensions, 2020. 11 1.1 million more people face poverty at end of 2020 as a result of coronavirus pandemic, finds IPPR, 4 June 2020 12 CPAG calculations using data provided in: Kempson, E. and Poppe, C. (2020) Coronavirus Financial Impact Tracker: key findings from a national survey, Standard Life Foundation 13 Food parcels provided to children during April 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Food banks report busiest month ever, as coalition urgently calls for funding to get money into people’s pockets quickly during pandemic 54 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester the Children’s Society has estimated early intervention services have The impact of the COVID-19 Recommendations 19 that it amounts to at least a hundred suffered a 60% cut in the same pandemic on children and young thousand children and 1 million period. 15 people is likely to be deep and long- • A cross-government action adults.14 Children’s organisations lasting, and local authorities are plan to implement the are calling on the government to At the same time, the demand currently experiencing immense recommendations from the suspend NRPF policies in response for children’s services has risen additional pressures on their UN Committee on the Rights to the COVID-19 crisis, so that significantly, with the number of finances as they carry much of of the Child, including a families can access the social child protection enquiries increasing the burden of responding to this strategy to eradicate child security support under the same 139% since 2008-2009 and the unprecedented crisis.18 poverty. conditions as everyone else. total number of looked after children reached a new high of 78,150 in • Significant investment in local 2018-2019. 16 This inevitably means authorities so they can fulfil Access to services that some children and families who their duties in supporting low- need support are not able to access income households, children Families’ and children’s access to it until their situation reaches crisis and young people. statutory support from children’s point. social care services has been • Significant public investment impacted by severe reductions in Following the onset of the COVID-19 in local, universal early help funding from central government pandemic, the spending power of services that support children since 2010. Early intervention children’s services will be threatened and young people. services, designed to support as business rates, council tax families before a situation reaches and other revenue streams are • A social security system crisis point, have been most severely diminished by the economic impact based on human rights impacted. Funding for children of the pandemic.17 standards and that enables and young people’s services since all households to have an 2010/11 has fallen by 23% whilst adequate standard of living.

14 A Lifeline for All: Children and Families with No Recourse to Public Funds, The Children’s Society, May 2020 15 Under Pressure - Children’s and young people’s services 2010/11 to 2018/19: a summary, Action for Children, NCB, NSPCC, The Children’s Society and Barnardo’s, 2020. 16 Children’s services funding facts and figures, Local Government Association, 2020; and Department for Education (2019) Children looked after in England including adoption: 2018 to 2019 17 Under Pressure - Children’s and young people’s services 2010/11 to 2018/19: a summary, Action for Children, NCB, NSPCC, The Children’s Society and Barnardo’s, 2020. 18 Local Government Association (2020) A child-centred recovery For more info on resources and services: (a) Supporting families during the covid-19 pandemic, 4 June 2020, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG); (b) Fact checking claims about child poverty, 22nd June 2020, Children’s Commissioner for England; (c) The impact of Coronavirus on food: How have things changed since the start of lockdown? From an online survey of 4352 adults in the UK conducted on 14th-17th May by YouGov Plc, The Food Foundation; (d) Under Pressure - Children’s and young people’s services 2010/11 to 2018/19: a summary, Action for Children, NCB, NSPCC, The Children’s Society and Barnardo’s, May 2020; (e) Pressures on children’s and young people’s services: a deep dive, May 2020 19 Please see also here for a list of the top recommendations that the children’s civil society sector is calling for to ensure children are at the heart of the COVID recovery. Country profiles - England | 55

• Labour market reforms to ensure that wages are sufficient to Children’s participation21 children in care, children are not enable working households to meet their essential needs (including always aware that they have this housing) and ensure that all children can have an adequate standard Despite some limited progress, right. of living. children are still too often shut out of policy debates and this has Where there has been progress in • Reinstate the £2.2 billion per year lost from funding available for been the case during the COVID-19 relation to strategic decision making, children and young people’s services over the last decade. crisis. There has been no attempt for example the Department for by the UK government to engage Digital, Culture, Media and Sport • Set out a sustainable plan to increase investment in children’s with children and young people on commitment to increasing attention services beyond 2010 levels in order to respond to rising levels of the crisis or in the response, even to the voice of youth, the budget need – particularly in light of the COVID-19 crisis. though both have clearly had a allocated to deliver it was limited. profound impact on children’s lives • The government should take this opportunity to end homelessness and will for generations to come. Particular groups of children also for all children and families and renew the ban on rough sleeping less likely to have their voices heard, and evictions which was in place until September 2020 as a result A key challenge which remains in for example disabled children or of COVID-19. They should also ensure that all children and families England is that children’s views are children who are under ten years have access to suitable self-contained accommodation, including still not taken seriously by many, and there has been no progress households with no recourse to public funds. despite pockets of good practice in lowering the voting age to 16 in and progress in particular areas, England despite developments in • Please see here20 for a list of the top recommendations that the for example, the proliferation of other parts of the UK. children’s civil society sector is calling for to ensure children are at school councils. Children have also the heart of the COVID recovery. highlighted particular problems arising from not being listened to by teachers, social workers and the police, while the availability of good quality, independent advocacy is patchy.

Where children do have a statutory right to participation, for example

20 Delivering a recovery that works for children: Full list of recommendations 21 CRAE State of Children’s Rights in England report regularly assesses how well children are having their participation rights implemented The report See it Say Change it also highlighted children’s own views about how well they are listened to The 2015 civil society report to the UN committee also covers this issue and is available here The most recent Concluding Observations on the UK by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child also highlights issues in relation to the implementation of participation rights and is available here 56 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Recommendations

• At a domestic level we would like to see children’s right to express their views, and to have these views given due weight according to age and maturity enshrined in all laws relating to children and apply to all children, including those in the armed forces.

• Children should also be informed of their right to be heard and taken seriously, and training and support should be provided on an ongoing basis to all professionals working with children, including the judiciary. Any consultative methods should be fully assessable and of good practice standard.

• Independent and confidential advocacy should be widely available to ensure children can actively take part in decisions about their lives and future. Where a child is the subject of administrative proceedings, including statutory reviews for children in care, care planning, child protection conferences and reviews, school exclusions, special educational needs assessments and tribunals, and hospital admission processes (including mental health settings), there should be a statutory right to an independent and confidential advocate. Alternative • Invest in the early discovery of Recommendations special needs. Estonia Supporting children and • Improve the continuing families in the short term: cooperation of health, social and educational sectors to ensure Country Profile on the European • Family counselling services the availability and quality of Semester and COVID-19 crisis should be reinforced. necessary support services for all children. from a children’s rights perspective • The effect of the measures adopted to react to the COVID • Develop a comprehensive crisis must also be evaluated strategy on young people Not from the point of view of in Employment, Education or Contributor: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC children’s rights. Training (NEET) as a whole,

Estonian Union for Child Total Number ensuring a complex approach number of of • Greater attention should be that includes prevention, Welfare – Lastekaitse Liit institutions/ children SGHs paid to important topics such intervention and compensation as families with fewer economic Institutional care (in total) 38 797 possibilities; the increase in Children in Alternative Care: in 2019 domestic violence; the use Institutions for children of narcotic substances; the • Allocate additional funds to 20.3 % with disabilities increase in the psychological strengthen the child protection Institutions for children 0-3 Children at risk of poverty or social problems of parents and their system to address the needs of exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 Small group homes (SGHs) exhaustion. the children in care and families in 2019 providing foster care, including Number of children in 1,527 Supporting children and kinship care. family-based/foster care in 2019 families in the long term: Number of children in 1,394 • Continue to promote kinship care • Legalise mandatory conciliation family-based foster care by Number of adoptions 22 services in family law disputes recruitment of new foster Number of unaccompanied 0 and launch a national families, provision of adequate minors in 2019, 2020 service system to ensure support to professional foster the widespread availability families and development of of a good quality conciliation quality standards for foster care. procedure. 58 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for The amendments shortened the of the interviewees was affected by families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 waiting period for the maintenance kindergarten children having to stay COVID-19 pandemic: crisis allowance from six to three months. at home or children dealing with  The purpose of the maintenance distance learning.1 allowance is to guarantee a EU involvement in promoting The Estonian government reacted monthly support payment to a Worsening of families’ economic children’s rights at a national to the COVID-19 pandemic in a parent who raises a child alone situation: According to the same level: positive way, especially considering and thereby decrease the poverty survey, 42% of Estonian families  that it supported families as a whole risk of single parents and their witnessed a decrease in their family first and foremost. Nonetheless, children. The amendments also income. Moreover, in 2020 the 2020 Country-Specific there was a need to better support prolonged the period of coverage unemployment rate is expected to Recommendations: children’s mental health and to of parental benefit in the event of increase by 9.2%.  reinforce support services in the successive births from two and a education system in order to provide half years to three years. As a result, Increased inequalities among Government's efforts to more systematic support for pupils unemployment caused by COVID-19 parents due to income, inhabited provide sufficient resources in need and children left out of would not decrease the amount of region and spoken language: The and services for families and school. parental benefit for mothers and possibility of teleworking is greater children: fathers who have a child at the end among parents who speak Estonian  Support for parents raising of this year or in the following year. (42%) as opposed to parents who children with special needs: speak Russian (20%). Teleworking Government’s protection of  Negative developments is less common in north-eastern children’s right to participate: Estonia (19% parents) and most  The government also decided to Increased level of stress among common in northern Estonia (43% financially support parents raising parents: as indicated by a survey of parents). The possibilities for children with special needs who had commissioned by the Ministry of teleworking are greater among to temporarily stop working. Social Affairs in April, 44% of the those employed in the public sector parents interviewed described the (60%) and limited in the private Amendments to the Family living arrangements arising from sector (30%). Benefits Act  the emergency as burdening and stressful. The work of more than half

1 Rohkem kui poolte lapsevanemate töötamist on mõjutanud lasteaialaste kodusolemine või koolilaste distantsõpe Country profiles - Estonia | 59

Increased inequalities in necessary computers and other for every pupil” 2 initiative to ensure International study on distance education: Although Estonia means of communication. that all children have the same learning did generally well with distance learning opportunities. Thanks to The Children’s Advisory Panel education, there were great Good practice this programme, more than 1,600 study was carried out in May differences among Estonian computers have been donated to 2020 in seven countries (Estonia, schools as regards the provision Providing computers to children children in need. In order to ensure Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, of additional tutoring, availability of in need the sustainability of the initiative Denmark and Norway) and allowed support services and evaluation. Although Estonia is commonly in the future, in April 2020 the 7,017 pupils to share their distance Differences among teachers’ defined as an e-state, distance coordination of the initiative was learning experience gathered during digital competences also played an learning was a real challenge for the handed over to the Estonian Union the COVID crisis. The initiative important role. Moreover, distance country, given that many families did for Child Welfare. took place on the initiative of the learning does not suit all pupils; not have the necessary resources Telia Company and thanks to many families, especially families and/or internet connection. A group the contribution of various child with many children, experienced of enterprising Estonian citizens protection organisations and difficulties in acquiring the decided to launch the “A computer schools.3

Policies for Investing in Children

by targeting measures and activities as an independent government For a state with an ageing and National strategy to at children and families with children, committee. decreasing population and a low tackle child poverty including families with children with birth rate such as Estonia, the disabilities. It is worrying that the One of the sub-goals of the Welfare national strategy to tackle child state has no intention to renew the Development Plan 2016-20235 is poverty would be necessary even Estonia does not have a separate Children and Families Development to improve the economic situation without the COVID-19 pandemic. national strategy to fight child Plan in its present condition. It is of citizens by means of active, Studies show that single-parent poverty. Yet, the Children and also planned to dissolve the Child adequate and sustainable social families are still at high risk of Families Development Plan 2012- Protection Council established by protection. poverty and that the emergency 20204 aims at ensuring that families the Child Protection Act of 2016 situation affected their coping with children can manage financially greatly as the new measures meant

2 Igale Koolilapsele Arvuti 3 Children’s Experiences with digital learning during COVID-19 period – Findings from the Children’s Advisory Panel 4 Strategy of Children and Families 2012-2020 5 Welfare Development Plan 2016-2023 60 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester it was not possible to count on the Access to financial realisation of children's rights still of age.7 The study showed that other parent’s help on an everyday resources and services of depend on the municipality in more than half of the students found basis.6 high quality which their parents live. Greater that while distance learning they multidisciplinary cooperation is needed more time for studying. They needed to support children in need. also mentioned the importance of EU influence on national Good level of resources and their parents’ help. 40% of pupils developments services: In recent years, great Mental Health Services: Despite highlighted that they did not have progress has been made especially several initiatives to increase the as many possibilities to ask for the as regards the development of accessibility of mental health teacher’s help outside classes. The EU exercised a good level services provided to children on a services, the primary psychological of pressure on the Estonian national basis. assistance offered to children and government. On the other hand, the young people is insufficient. For Children’s participation EU should pay greater attention to example, such support personnel the transposition of EU directives at Regional inequalities: The are not present in all educational The participation of children is the national level. well-being of children depends, institutions. The current Mental still problematically low. Children among other things, on how their Health Act does not enable minors in Estonia usually have a say in The 2020 Country Specific fundamental social rights are to visit psychiatrists without issues affecting the child, but they Recommendations do not directly guaranteed. Estonia's regional the parent’s consent, excluding participate less in family issues and address matters related to children inequality continues to be a major children’s and young people’s even less in school life or society. or NEETs. It is positive that the challenge. The well-being of family independent power of decision. The Even very active young people feel document discusses the need with children depends to a large Chancellor of Justice has requested that their participation is often rather to improve the accessibility and extent on the type of household that an amendment to the act be a formality and mainly for show. resilience of the healthcare system, and the area they live in. Depending considered. On the other hand, it According to the Children’s Worlds but no consideration is given to the on the region, the equivalent net is worrying that the proceedings survey, pupils felt that they were not need to support the social system income of households with children of the draft amendments have listened to and their views were not as a whole. Indeed, several studies in 2018 differed almost two-fold, been stopped due to the strong taken into account at school (one show that when the provision of the relative poverty rate three times. opposition of some political parties. in four children was critical of the social services decreases or stops, Statistics and various surveys teacher in this regard).8 The modest the pressure on the child protection point to inequalities in health Education: The Children’s Advisory involvement of Estonian children in system increases. and differences in the availability Panel study involved more than a school was also confirmed by the of services. The well-being and thousand pupils from 10-18 years

6 Rohkem kui poolte lapsevanemate töötamist on mõjutanud lasteaialaste kodusolemine või koolilaste distantsõpe 7 Children’s experiences with digital learning during covid-19 period: findings from the children’s advisory panel 8 Children’s Words in Europe and Children’s Worlds National Report Estonia Country profiles - Estonia | 61 results of a study on children's rights and Recommendations parenthood. • Set up a periodic monitoring of Right to vote: The fact that, from 2015, the operational programme to Estonian citizens and citizens of the address the gaps identified by the European Union who have turned 16 final conclusions presented by the years are eligible to vote in the local UN Committee on the Rights of government council election is a major the Child to the state in 2017 10 improvement. • Renew the Children and Families Children’s participation during COVID: Development Plan 2012-2020 Youth organisations were indignant that young people were not involved in the • Relaunch the activities of the decision-making process concerning Child Protection Council the crisis on a national level.9 Moreover, in June 2020, youth and children’s • Enhance the influence of children organisations were not involved in the and young people in shaping discussion of the draft amendment act of society and the various decision- section 3 of the Mental Health Act (115 making processes SE), although it directly affected children and young people and their power of • Provide greater support for decision. the involvement of groups in vulnerable situations

• Develop a children’s participation strategy to normalise children’s involvement in situations in which decisions concerning their lives are made

9 Eesti Noorteühenduste Liidu juht: millal otsustajad noorte poole pöörduvad? 10 Concluding observations on the second to fourth periodic reports of Estonia 62 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

needed care or had been exposed basic necessities, and medicines. services offered to children with Impact of the COVID-19 to COVID-19, could apply online for A number of local governments special needs. There have been crisis paid sick leave. Sickness benefit continued to provide school meals for no changes in the provision of the was extended to cover the first three children (mandatory for children from service during the lockdown. The days of sick leave, which was not families with coping difficulties etc.). situation affected mostly children's To support families in vulnerable covered by the Health Insurance communication with other relatives situations during the COVID-19 Fund before. Diverse hotlines were made as this had to be conducted online crisis Estonia introduced temporary available to provide assistance to or via phone instead of face to financial support to parents of Local governments created people in need. The child helpline face. The main challenges included children with special needs. The aim possibilities for 24-hour childcare, 116 111 continued to be in limited resources for adequate of the financial benefit was to help mainly for emergency workers, operation during the emergency home schooling (competency of parents who lost their employment social services providers, transport, situation with the possibility for social workers, lack of computers, or who remained on unpaid leave. food production etc. All schools an online chat. Tallinn Children´s not sufficient internet connection Parents of children with profound, were closed and pupils had to Hospital crisis hotline 678 7422 etc.). Staff were overstretched and severe or moderate disability, study online. Local governments advised workers at the front line of at higher risk since most social educational special needs and lack of had to ensure internet connection the COVID-19 (health workers and workers are older people. Similarly, immunity were granted 70% of their for teachers and children. police) who were worried about for foster families ensuring an online average income until 31 May 2020. Thanks to the cooperation of the themselves and their children. education was a major challenge. private sector, volunteers, local Additional finances were allocated Due to the emergency situation governments and schools, children to the regular financing for victim The Estonian Union for Child Welfare caused by COVID-19, disability from disadvantaged groups also support and psycho-social crisis has been operating for 31 years status and the payment of social got access to the internet and assistance. and has built its resilience, i.e. the benefits were automatically computers. organisation is capable of performing prolonged for six months for persons Institutional care in Estonia is flexibly in difficult times (for example, whose disability status would Mainly in cooperation with the defined as residential care. The some training courses were carried otherwise end from the beginning Estonian Food Bank, food assistance statistics and the legal framework out online, parent counselling of the emergency situation until 31 was organised by local governments do not distinguish between larger was carried out over the phone, August 2020. for families in need. Many local institutions and smaller residential innovative solutions were used for governments worked in cooperation settings. In all residential care organising events). They foresee that People who were ill, had a child/ with local grocery stores and settings all family units have up to most civil society organisations in close family member who was ill or pharmacies to deliver food, other six children, including the foster care Estonia will face severe problems in Country profiles - Estonia | 63 terms of maintaining their activities local municipalities. However, the Care leavers EU funds and budget. Estonian Union for Child Welfare explains that the availability and Care leavers in Estonia are Actions for improving the quality of Preventing the unnecessary quality of social services vary since entitled to a monthly allowance substitution care and diversifying entry of children in alternative these social services are funded by of a minimum of 250 euros if they forms of alternative care were care the municipality itself. are enrolled in university/higher supported through the European education up to 25 years of age. Social Fund (Measure: 2014- Local government authorities The Estonian Union for Child They also receive assistance with 2020.2.2 Welfare measures manage child protection on the Welfare points out there was a lack housing and individualised support. supporting participation in the local level and create the necessary of information about children and Otherwise care leavers receive labour market). The main aim is preconditions in the municipality. families in vulnerable situations housing support, personnel support to increase the number of family- The Child Protection Act of 2014, during the lockdown. Home services and a financial contribution based alternative care providers and which entered into force in 2016, visits were not allowed. Without from the local government. Care improve the quality of alternative imposes an obligation on local proper monitoring and a contact leavers have struggled both to keep care. Also, support- and aftercare governments to ensure that a child with children via usual channels their jobs and find new jobs. The services were further developed. is only separated from his/her family such as school, hobby classes temporary subsidies offered by the if necessary. The Child Protection and medical appointments, the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Measure 2014-2020.2.1 - Act recognises the family as the child protection risks (problems Fund partially helped. Development of childcare and care natural environment for a child and in the home, violence, abuse and services for children with disabilities to achieve this, parents or caregivers neglect) may remain hidden, which Children in migration to reduce the care burden. are entitled to receive consultation also suggests a decrease in the This action contributes to the from a social services department. registration of child protection cases. There were no migrant, participation of parents/carers in the In the period January-May 2020, a unaccompanied and separated labour market. The aim is to develop The National Social Insurance Board, total of 870 child protection case children in Estonia last year. At the and provide support services for with a specialised Child Protection proceedings were registered by the end of 2013, SOS Children's Village children with severe and profound Unit, assists local governments in local governments in Estonia. For took responsibility for partnering disabilities - childcare, support resolving child protection cases comparison, in 2019 it was 1,081, with the state and providing support person and transport - thereby and supports local governments i.e. about 20% more than this year. and care for up to five children reducing the parental care burden in deciding suitable measures for When the state of emergency ended or young people at one time and barriers to employment. It also children and families. The Social in mid-May 2020, the registration of (unaccompanied minors). A contract encourages and raises awareness of Welfare Act outlines that minimum case proceedings began to rise.11 with the Social Insurance Board has the reconciliation of work and family social services are available in been concluded for this purpose. life.

11 In May 2020, 161 child protection cases were registered, an order of magnitude higher than a month earlier (in April 95 cases), but the number of cases registered is still lower comparing the same months of 2019 (201 cases in May 2019 and 219 cases in April). Finland Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributor: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC Central Union for Child A total of 18,544 children and young people were Welfare Finland placed outside the home during 2018. Of these, 59%, or 10,861 children, were taken into care during the year. 14.3% Children in care accounted for 1% of the population Children at risk of poverty or social aged 0-17, but the proportion varied according to exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 the age of the child.

The share of children aged 16–17 in the population in custody was 2.2% and was clearly higher than in the younger age groups. Country profiles - Finland | 65

Alternative • It should increase subsidies strengthen new ways of working Summary of Ratings Recommendations for local government so as to and cooperating. prevent them from having to Government's support for Supporting children and cut services for children, young • It is essential that the families families and children during the families in the context of people and families. most in need should receive COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 in the short term: support as soon as possible.  Children in Alternative Care Stabilising their economic • The government should (CiAC): situation is very important to Positive EU impact on more conduct child impact make the future look more child-centred legislation at assessments on each decision • It is crucial to understand predictable and hopeful. national level: concerning children. which structures have faced  the hardest consequences of • The government should ensure • It should limit children’s the COVID-19 pandemic and the well-being of children and 2020 Country Specific fundamental rights and/or strengthen those that were not young people and strengthen Recommendations: access to services only when working well. The COVID-19 their ability to cope with the  absolutely necessary and as crisis revealed that the social crisis. Both urgent short term little as possible. sector is as important in and long term measures are Government's efforts to providing child and family well- needed. provide sufficient resources • It should support families’ being as the health sector. and services for families and financial situation. children: • The government should have  Supporting children and a set of guidelines to help families in the context of municipalities to deliver on Government’s protection of COVID-19 in the long term: their obligations as service children’s right to participate: providers. This will help combat  • The government should inequalities in service provision. conduct child impact assessments on each decision • The funding of the concerning children. municipalities and NGOs working directly with vulnerable • It should not cut social security groups should be guaranteed. In aimed at children and families. addition to securing resources, there is a need to introduce and 66 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Child Poverty

for children and young people municipalities there were temporary families even more visible: the crisis Impact of the COVID-19  layoffs instead of increased support hit hardest those who were already crisis during the crisis. the most vulnerable. The disruption The government allocated additional of everyday structures such as funding (EUR 60M) for training Parents faced an increase in school or day care was especially Government support and services for unemployed unemployment and financial harmful for children with special young people (part of the 4th problems (especially if/when needs. According to the study, as The government’s support to supplementary budget proposal) combined with a lack of access many as 55,000 families experience families and children during the  to necessary child/family welfare financial scarcity because of the crisis was adequate services). Roughly 10% of families crisis. Moreover, families in a Negative developments faced a situation in which the only vulnerable situation were also more The government allocated parent or both parents were made prone to use pay-day loans and additional funding for education: With regard to remote teaching, redundant in April. other high risk measures to cover early childhood education (EUR there are profound inequalities their expenses during the crisis. This 14M), comprehensive education between and even within NGOs were unable to fully respond will probably lead to more severe (EUR 70M) and general upper municipalities and schools. to children, young people’s and problems in the long run. secondary education (EUR 17M) families’ increased need of services. on the grounds that COVID-19 has Roughly 10% of families affected Some NGOs had to prioritise their Good practice increased the need for support lack a computer or a stable internet work even within vulnerable groups. among children; plus vocational connection (18 March– 14 May Moreover, both public and private • Various NGOs have successfully upper secondary education and 2020). funding may decrease and increase transferred many of their activities training (EUR 30M) for additional competition among NGOs. online and/or created new ones. support to prevent drop-outs Some children had a lack of contact because of COVID-19 (part of the with responsible adults; the amount There was a lack of adequate • Many of the new online services 4th supplementary budget proposal) of child welfare reports decreased government guidance during the set up during this period will  during remote teaching. For COVID-19 crisis. remain active in the coming years. example, when the recommendation The government allocated additional was to not take children to day care, According to a study conducted • NGOs developed new ways of funding (EUR 112.3M) for social the best interests of the child were by the CUCW’s “Kaikille eväät helping, e.g. several members services for children, young people not always given a high enough elämään” project, COVID-19 made of civil society which had never and families, and mental health care priority in municipalities. In some the existing disparities among worked in the food field quickly Country profiles - Finland | 67

organised much needed food aid campaigns and projects.

Policies for Investing in Children

• The current government’s From a children’s rights The Central Union for Child Welfare National strategy to programme has been perspective, the Country launched a survey to find out tackle child poverty characterised by several Specific Recommendations how the services for children and improvements concerning were inadequate. While there is families have been implemented in children’s rights. However, not all a reference to improving access municipalities during the lock-down. • There has generally been a lack of proposals have yet been brought to social and health services, The survey revealed1 that in many coordinated child policies between to the Parliament. Furthermore, children are not mentioned in the municipalities a policy was outlined ministries, so Finland does not there is reason to fear the impact recommendation. to limit health checks and client have a strategy to tackle child of COVID-19 will cause pressure work in child and maternity health poverty yet. On the other hand, the for budget cuts and possibly clinics to children under two years Finnish government is working on decrease the government’s Access to financial of age. This policy carries the risk of a National Child Strategy which willingness or ability to carry on resources and services of not identifying children and families should be completed by the with all planned proposals. high quality in need at a sufficiently early stage. end of 2020. It will be based on At worst, the situation leads to the fundamental rights and human neglect of young children and an rights treaties, and its vision is a EU influence on national The government’s provision of increased risk of unrevealed abuse. genuinely child- and family-friendly developments adequate resources and services Families with children with special Finland that respects the rights of to families and children was needs were greatly disadvantaged the child. inadequate. Finland registered a low by the sudden breakdown of The involvement of the EU in level of basic social security, regional everyday structures. Furthermore, • Tackling child poverty should promoting children’s rights was not disparities concerning access according to a recent study of the be an important goal of this sufficient. The EU should lead by to services, and an inadequate National Institute for Health and new strategy. Furthermore, example; for instance, by conducting availability of some services, such Welfare, there have been up to 40% an additional plan of action child impact assessments whenever as mental health services and/or fewer maternity and child health concerning child poverty is decisions concerning children are treatment for substance abuse. clinic visits than in 2019. probably necessary too. made.

1 Paikoiltaan siirretty arki: Koronakriisin vaikutukset lapsiperheiden elämään 68 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

The municipalities carry the main welfare between families. Although Children’s participation responsibility for service provision in many NGOs have launched fund Finland. Most of the municipalities raising sites to support families The government performed were following the government’s in harsh economic situations, the reasonably well in ensuring recommendations, yet different support was not strong enough to children’s right to participate. On solutions were implemented when carry them throughout the crisis. the other hand, children, especially organising basic services such as More than one in four children have children in vulnerable groups, often child and maternity health clinics, experienced mental health problems do not know about their rights and school health care and family centre described as very poor or rather poor adults’ responsibilities. Hence, it is services. Most of the schools have due to an emergency caused by difficult for them to speak up, give been providing all students with the coronavirus. The majority of the feedback or claim their rights. This is free packed lunches and education children were concerned about their partly due to the inadequate training was relatively quickly transformed family’s economic situation. of different professionals. into online mode. Yet, slightly more than one in ten (12%) children who Recommendations Recommendations responded to the Save the Children Finland's extensive survey reported • The government should • Our legislation and different that they lacked the tools needed conduct child impact plans of action are mostly for distance learning. The Ministry of assessments whenever good, the problems often lie Social Affairs and Health has drawn decisions concerning or in operational culture and up general outlines concerning affecting children are made. attitudes. Hence, making institutional care, but they were on a children’s rights training general level and did not contribute • It should ensure the quality obligatory for different to the questions related to the of and access to universal professionals might be a provision of out of home care for services, such as early useful step forwards. children. childhood education and child health clinics. Overall, the measures were not solid enough to prevent the long- • It should ensure adequate term effects of the coronavirus funding for child welfare outbreak. The crisis hit hardest services. families in a vulnerable situation and highlighted the inequalities in Country profiles - Finland | 69

Childen in Alternative Care (CiAC)

and health of children and young The Central Union for Child Welfare to ensure the safety of everyone. Impact of the COVID-19 people in many ways. Furthermore, is concerned about the increase Due to the state of emergency, the crisis the corona crisis has created in domestic violence during the dismantling of preventive services in insecurity and anxiety for children; COVID-19 pandemic. This is clearly the municipalities was unnecessarily the mental development of children indicated by current data on the extensive. On the other hand, during Restrictive measures taken to has been put to the test. The increase in police home alerts (up the crisis, the digital assistance slow the spread of the COVID-19 situation is difficult, especially for 30% between 16 March and 7 provided by NGOs increased, for epidemic had a negative impact children with pre-existing mental June 2020) and in alerts related to example by expanding opening on the well-being and equality health fragility. However, children’s domestic violence (up 10%). Yet, it hours, producing new information of children and young people. To rights and their special position are is alarming to note that during the content or opening up new services mitigate the negative effects of easily overlooked in emergency same period of time, the amount of as a response to needs created by the situation, the government has conditions and post crisis measures. cases on child abuse that came to the crisis. decided to allocate about EUR 320 the attention of the police decreased million to the welfare package of The crisis did not have a crucial by 45%. There have also been fewer Preventing the unnecessary children and young people.2 impact on the upcoming reforms, for reports of violence against children entry of children in alternative example, the new bill on the social in child protection, whereas the care On 25 May 2020, the Ministry of and health care reform (which is causes of violence between spouses Social Affairs and Health appointed a important for the establishment have risen. The lower numbers During the pandemic the number working group linked to the National and operation of the new social of victims seeking shelter from of child welfare notifications has Child Strategy to survey the rights of and healthcare-provinces) was domestic violence may also indicate dropped. Many difficult situations the child and well-being of children submitted to the opinion round on the hidden distress, even though experienced by children remained and families and to strengthen these 15 June 2020. The work on the the number of people in shelters has undetected, as contact with families in the post-crisis measures related improvements of the child protection grown steadily in previous years. in early childhood education, schools to COVID-19. The interim report of legislation proceeded as planned. and other services had decreased, the working group presents some Important development work on Many alternative care institutions and assessments of the need for preliminary observations. According the National Child Strategy was also and foster families lacked clear support could no longer be made. to the report the coronavirus implemented without any longer guidelines about how to organise pandemic has endangered the delays. meetings between children in care The number of urgent placements favourable development, well-being and their biological families and how and the need for alternative care

2 Lasten ja nuorten hyvinvointi koronakriisin jälkihoidossa 70 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester have been growing for a long time in Institutional care The coronavirus epidemic has due to the lack of social contact and Finland and the COVID-19 pandemic created new forms and structures sports activities. is expected to exacerbate the The COVID-19 restrictions on of inter-professional cooperation by situation. Also, many of the court freedom of movement had a forcing various actors to work more Care leavers hearings have been postponed to strong impact on children living in efficiently across organisational the autumn, which raised a lot of institutional care. It has been unclear boundaries. The crisis has also Care services were organised concerns amongst the families and among those working in alternative forced professionals to look for new according to the general guidelines the professionals. care how meetings between a child solutions that have not yet been of the Ministry of Social Affairs and and his/her close network should fully exploited. These solutions may Health Ministry, but the support The effects of the coronavirus crisis be limited in such a critical situation. help prevent the growing number of measures varied depending on the on child protection, as well as the National guidelines concerning children living outside home. municipality. The situations of young ability of municipalities to respond this matter have been perceived as people in vulnerable situations have to the changed situation, are difficult deficient. Disability become even more difficult during to fully assess due to the current this time, e.g. the threshold for the slowness in information systems. In addition, finding a temporary The effects of the COVID-19 treatment of mental health problems The child protection register place for children who had fallen ill pandemic on the daily lives of was not low enough to guarantee maintained by the National Institute or had been exposed to COVID-19 children with disabilities and their young people the therapeutic for Health and Welfare currently caused numerous problems. The families have been significant and services they need. The good news produces a comprehensive picture COVID-19 crisis has also made mostly negative. In many cases, is that remote and digital workshop of municipal activities on an annual it difficult for children placed in disabled children and young people services have so far received basis, and it is therefore not possible institutional care to attend school, as have not received the rehabilitation good feedback. They managed to use the data in the register to co-operation between schools and they considered necessary or to decrease young people’s form an up-to-date picture of the institutions was inconsistent. essential. Access to rehabilitation, marginalisation by offering individual situation. Experts from the Finnish assessments and examinations support and opportunities, and Association of Local Authorities Hence, the negative effects of have also been seriously delayed increased accessibility to services. have collected information on the the crisis had a serious impact during the lockdown. actions of municipalities in child on those groups who had already Children in migration protection, but in the future it would been vulnerable. There is a need for The lockdown has also increased the be useful to explore the possibilities preventive actions and investments feeling of loneliness and is negatively In 2019, 6,155 children applied for of producing child protection register in services to minimise the number affecting the well-being of children asylum, of which the vast majority data in an accelerated process. of children living in institutional care. and young people with disabilities came with their family while only 63 Country profiles - Finland | 71 were unaccompanied/separated asylum-seeking children.3

There have been some cases of families affected by the COVID-19 crisis: they lost their jobs but they were allowed to remain in the country. Obviously, some of them are now in the country as undocumented migrants, but there are no official estimates on how many such people there could be among all undocumented migrants now.

After reception, children are most commonly accommodated in institutional settings in specialised and small units which can be compared to child welfare units. The pandemic has not caused any delay in transferring children to the assigned municipalities when they get a residence permit to their application.

3 Finnish Immigration Service Alternative • Support development of France recommendations additional mechanisms to identify violence and protect Supporting children and children's rights and access to Country Profile on the European families in the short term: information on their rights. Make Semester and COVID-19 crisis sure all children can participate • More support for strengthening in education, especially in from a children’s rights perspective parenting assistance for young homes where dropping out of "at-risk" parents in order to school is identified and provide prevent the neglect of children. financial assistance to buy Contributors: Extend support for vulnerable school supplies, etc. CNAPE (National Federation of 22.5 % young adults including care Association for Child Protection leavers to help them find Supporting children and Children at risk of poverty or social accommodation, work, and families in the long term: – France); Nexem1 France exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 create social ties. • Dedicate a ministry to children Children in Alternative Care - CiAC • Put in place programmes to and youth: the questions linked Total number of institutions Number of children allow the most vulnerable to childhood and youth are (2019) (2019) children (poor children, multidimensional and many Number of minors benefiting from at least 306,80023 children in child protection, actors are concerned. one child protection measure 2018 children with disabilities, Alternative care 177,000 unaccompanied children, etc.) • Put in place more preventive Institutional care (in total) 20174 1,963 61,000 to go on holiday to allow them policies: despite the recent Institutions for children with disabilities 325,000 places (figure 23,010 to experiment, discover, learn awareness by public authorities, including adults, precise data for children is not available) about sustainable development, the actions carried out for Institutions for children 0-3 33 790 arts, culture, sport, science, prevention are still insufficient. Number of children in family-based/foster around 50 % = 80,000 digital technologies, and Strong political support is care: foreign languages. Well-being necessary to put in place Unaccompanied minors 17,7605 (2019) of children is as important as effective prevention policies. material support.

1 NEXEM is a network representing employers from the not-for-profit social services sector in France. 2 Chiffres clés en protection de l’enfance au 31 décembre 2018 3 In 2017 the placements represented 52% of 344 000 protection measures entrusted to children’s social welfare. 4 61 000 enfants, adolescents et jeunes majeurshébergés fin 2017dans les établissementsde l’aide sociale à l’enfance 5 Rapport annuel d’activité 2019 du Ministère de la Justice. Country profiles - France | 73

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for for teachers and families in order to mental health should be the subject families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 set up individual support for children of particular attention. COVID-19 pandemic: crisis disengaged from school during  lockdown. Decentralisation of policies The COVID crisis has shown 2020 Country-Specific Child-related issues, especially Decrease in vaccinations the importance to address the Recommendations: within the child protection system, Heavily impacted by the COVID-19 compartmentalisation of policies in  have been excluded from the public epidemic, vaccinations overall have France. Despite the appointment debate during the health crisis. decreased significantly in France. of Adrien Taquet, Secretary of State Many children have had their rights According to the National Agency responsible for child protection, infringed. The Defender of Rights for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) there is an explosion and a in France received 127 referrals and the National Health Insurance partitioning of childhood and youth regarding the rights of the child, in Fund (CNAM), the number of policies between ministries, resulting connection with the health crisis. vaccine prescriptions reimbursed in in inequalities of treatment between pharmacies fell considerably during children. Children with disabilities, Increase in domestic violence the health crisis. They estimate for example, have not received the Organisations report an up to that 44,000 infants aged 3 to 18 same treatment as children in child 90% increase in calls to 119, the months have not received vaccines protection establishments. emergency number for children against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, at risk during the lockdown. On whooping cough, haemophilus Impact on children’s rights average, the 119 line receives 700 influenza, meningitis B and hepatitis organisations calls per day. The government B. In reaction, the French National Associations working with children has launched an awareness Authority for Health (HAS) called for in vulnerable situations have many campaign on intra family violence resuming vaccinations, particularly in challenges awaiting them. They and introduced an online reporting infants and frail people. will have to make up for the delay form that allows for more discreet in implementing the measures, reporting. Impact on mental health reassess the danger in homes at Taking into account the traumatic risk, recreate a bond of trust with Increase in school drop outs effects of the crisis on children, families. The social and medico- Many children are at risk of dropping particularly on those suffering from social associations have been the out of school. More human and persistent pathologies, children’s source of many initiatives to pursue technical resources will be needed their mission of supporting the most 74 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester vulnerable audiences. In order for regardless of their supposed age. platform has been created by the identify the risks and refer families to them to continue their work, it is  Ministry of Education. other services if necessary. necessary to restore the ability to  experiment for these associations, This measure is welcomed as the for example by letting them initiate risk of poverty is extremely high The implementation of the home projects outside of the regulatory for young people leaving the child schooling online platform has procedures which frame social and protection system, even more for allowed children and youth to medico-social action. former unaccompanied minors continue their education. But who lack a reliable social or family organisations have highlighted Positive developments network. numerous problems arising from it: no accompaniment or control Exceptional financial assistance Many young people living in over families, no specific training for for vulnerable families and their precarious situations do not have teachers to use the platform, the lack children (one-off assistance): it’s access to social benefits (for of technological equipment for many proportional to the number of example, the Active Solidarity children, especially in institutions. children and ranges between EUR Income or Revenue de Solidarité This situation has aggravated the 150 (a couple without children) Active (RSA) is reserved for those risk of school drop-out. A study and EUR 5,550 (four children). over 25 years old). However, this launched in March reveals that 20%  measure is planned to run only until of the pupils have been disengaged 11 July 2020, and there is thus an from their schooling since the start This initiative is good but considered urgent need for long-term solutions. of the lockdown. insufficient by CNAPE. Many associations have alerted the Family support schemes (respite, Good practice – Helplines government of the increase in strengthening of home support) the number of families in financial have been put in place and in Several telephone platforms have distress and the unprecedented particular have resulted in the launch been created by federations of increase in demand for food support of the single call number that allows psychologists to support parents (+ 45% between March and May for very rapid implementation of and children during lockdown. 2020). responses to the needs of families or Toll-free numbers have been set up, young people. families have been able to share For the duration of the crisis, an their daily difficulties. Volunteers obligation to support young adults The implementation of home have provided a listening service leaving the child protection system schooling for all children, to to reassure and inform, but also to and unaccompanied minors prevent dropping out. An online Country profiles - France | 75

Policies For Investing in Children

The United Nations Convention on and young people, with three main crisis and the worsening situation of CNAPE the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) commitments: poor and precarious families. Recommendation - A remains unknown in France. This universal allowance for observation is shared by many • Ensure equal opportunities for all Children’s access to services of young people institutions and associations. A children; high quality survey conducted by the Defender For young adults leaving care, • This universal allowance of Rights showed that only half the • Guarantee the fundamental rights the CNAPE has developed three would be allocated in return population is able to cite at least one of children; recommendations: 1) the extension for the completion of an right of the child. There is progress of the youth guarantee, 2) access integration project until in the implementation of the UNCRC • Ensure a training path for all young to a financial resource for all young its end. It would be flexible in certain areas: the prohibition of people. people leaving care, 3) the allocation according to the specific corporal punishment by law, the plan of basic income to all young people. needs of each young person to tackle violence against children, Almost two years later, significant and taking into account their the child protection law adopted in progress has been made. However, project. A change of project 2016 focused on the best interests many territories cannot properly occurring before the age of of the child. However, the situation deploy the strategy due to the lack 25 would not result in the remains extremely worrying in the of financial and human means. end of the payment of the Overseas Territories. For example, the implementation allowance so as to allow any of some measures such as the young person to take a new wider opening of nurseries for direction. For young adults National strategy to disadvantaged families or the who wish it, this financial tackle child poverty development of the One Euro resource should be coupled canteen has been very limited. with specific support as needed. With 9 million people below Access to financial resources in the poverty line, France’s 2018 the family national strategy for preventing Social policies need to be better and combating poverty1 was coordinated to provide for all the long-awaited. A large part of this needs of the child and their family, strategy is dedicated to children particularly in view of the economic

1 La stratégie nationale de prévention et d'action contre la pauvreté 76 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Views on the Semester which is a regression compared the recommendations of the UN During the crisis, with the possibility process to 2019 where the question of Committee on the Rights of the for judges to take decisions dropping out of school and equal Child. Vulnerable or marginalised without upholding the principle opportunities was addressed. children are rarely consulted on of confrontation during legal Children and young people are not matters that concern them. The proceedings, the right of the child to sufficiently taken into account in Defender of Rights underlined that be heard in all decisions concerning the European semester process. Children’s participation children and young people were not them has been violated. The 2020 Country Specific sufficiently taken into account in Recommendations do not mention Children’s participation remains the formulation of public policies at any issues related to childhood, insufficient in France, despite national and local level.

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

in general, these contacts were more emotional, moral or psychological Impact of the COVID-19 frequent than before. Preventing the problems which compromise their crisis unnecessary entry of safety and their development. Children placed children in alternative care “Home schooling” which is an Work on the implementation of the Many children were sent back home administrative measure generally Child Prevention and Protection during the lockdown. When it was following an AEMO. It results in a Strategy was temporarily suspended not possible, measures were set in In France, a number of mechanisms contract of objectives signed by the during the containment period, but place to limit tensions and prevent have been put in place to prevent representative of the Department resumed in mid-June 20202. There the spread of the virus by grouping the placement of children in and the family, for a renewable has been a suspension of home children in small groups of two institutions. For example: duration of three to six months. visits by child protection services or three. Facilities had to reduce and educators during the lockdown. or even stop outside collective “Non-institutional Educational These mechanisms were suspended However, contacts were maintained activities. Action (AEMO)” which consists during the lockdown. with children and parents via of accompanying, at the request regular telephone contacts or of the juvenile judge, minors who videoconferences. It emerged that, have been the subject of a report due to mistreatment, educational,

2 Protection de l'enfance : la feuille de route du Gouvernement Country profiles - France | 77

Progress on child Children living in family-based Initiative protection and care care reform In Paris, lawyers and associations The absence of school and other notified the public prosecutor that social relations created a risk of more than 200 unaccompanied Children living in institutions/ educational and social decline. For minors were exposed to a serious residential care some children, the crisis has led and immediate danger to their to disruptions due to the fact that mental and physical health. Other The crisis has had a major impact foster families have been infected by reports of this type were made on children living in institutions: COVID-19. throughout the country. breakdown of schooling and outside contacts, cessation of medico-social Care leavers care. Some structures alerted the CNAPE that some children were For the duration of the crisis, there not tolerating lockdown, leading was an obligation to support young to violence in the structures and adults leaving the child protection to some children running away. system and unaccompanied minors Conversely, some young child regardless of their supposed age. “introverts” have been adapting The risk of poverty is extremely high particularly well to the lockdown, and for young people leaving the child are apprehensive about going back protection system without social to school. and economic support, even more for former unaccompanied minors This is rarely highlighted, but some who lack a reliable social or family collective institutions have been network. This measure is planned able to deal with this very well by to run only until 11 July, there is establishing the conditions for thus an urgent need for long-term “family” support with organisations solutions. in “small units” that greatly mitigate the “collective” effect of institutions. Germany Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributor: Alternative • It should enable NGOs to offer Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Recommendations their services to all children and Kinder- und Jugendhilfe (AGJ) young people and support the Supporting children and professionals with adequate families in the context of protection measures and COVID-19 in the short term: greater flexibility in providing services. • The government should develop 15 % a road-map for upcoming waves Supporting children and of the coronavirus and for future families in the context of Children at risk of poverty or social crises in close cooperation with COVID-19 in the long term: exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 civil society. It should also set up support services for children • The government should secure and families in the event of a financial stability for all NGOs lockdown. and service providers.

• It should ensure the • It should include children and participation of children and youth in finding solutions and youth in political processes take their views into account. during times of crisis. • It should support more flexibility in providing services. Country profiles - Germany | 79

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for have lost a significant part of the Good practice families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 participation rights they had before. COVID-19 pandemic: crisis Hence, the participation of children • Video messages and letters from  and youth in Germany didn’t seem to teachers and educators were sent be a priority during a crisis. to children in their care. Positive EU impact on more Government support child-centred legislation at Although social organisations were • Online platforms were set up to national level: The government’s support to very engaged in finding creative allow professionals working in the  families and children during the solutions, we registered restricted crisis to share best practices and crisis was sufficient. Indeed, the access to social services to support find creative solutions to adapt 2020 Country-Specific government provided an allowance children and families in need due their job to the safety measures. Recommendations: of 300€ for every child under 18, to lockdown and a rise in cases of  and made it easier to get access to domestic violence against children • Numerous support services an additional allowance for families and/or women. were offered via online tools or in difficulty. The government also telephone. provided compensation for loss Numerous NGOs are facing an of income due to child care (for a important loss of funding, although maximum of 20 weeks) there are some measures in place to support such organisations. Negative developments Furthermore, there is a considerable administrative effort to be made Children were heavily affected in order to receive supporting by the loss of social contact with resources. Civil society organisations peers, which sometimes resulted also had to face great uncertainty in loneliness among children and over how services can be young people. For parents it has maintained/continued and how been increasingly difficult to manage professionals can be protected. their work and take care of their children at the same time.

Children and young people are not visible in public discourse and 80 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Policies for Investing in Children

• In the last few years the incentives via specific programmes National strategy to government’s approach towards would make a difference. tackle child poverty children’s rights has improved. There is indeed a debate going on The Country Specific about the inclusion of children’s Recommendation states that • Germany does not currently rights in the constitution of Germany should invest in digital have a national strategy to tackle Germany, which was agreed on skills and digital infrastructure. child poverty, although there are in the coalition agreement of the AGJ supports this statement and debates about a system that current government. Nonetheless, highlights that Germany needs covers all services for children there seems to be no consensus to invest more into equal living under one single framework among the two coalition parties conditions in rural and urban areas. (Kindergrundsicherung). about the wording and the scope The ‘digital divide’ needs to be of this change, so hopes about the addressed. Furthermore, the digital • There is a crucial need for a reform of the constitution during skills of the young generation as national strategy to tackle child this legislative period are actually well as the professionals working poverty. The AGJ is currently dwindling. with children and youth need to asking for a long-term strategy be enhanced, which makes further to tackle the high risk of poverty financial support necessary. for children, young people and EU influence on national families. developments

• A priority would be to strengthen the education and care system, The involvement of the EU in taking in due consideration early promoting children’s rights has been childhood education and care. adequate. Yet, the EU could play an There is an urgent need for a more active role in supporting the current inclusive and just educational process of including children’s system in combination with rights in the constitution. Showing social policies that prioritise the strong support for this constitutional reduction of social inequalities. process as well as financial Greece Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributors: 30.5 % Children in Alternative Care - CiAC The Smile of the Child, Roots Total number of institutions/ Number of children SGHs Research Centre Greece Children at risk of poverty or social Institutional care (in total) in 2014 exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 86 2,850 3,0001 (2019) Children with disabilities 900 30.2 %1 Children 0-3 150 Number of children in family-based/foster care NA Poverty gap for children under 18 in 2018 at risk of poverty in 2018 Number of unaccompanied minors in 2019 3,3302 18.6 %2

Severe material deprivation - children under 18 severely lacking coverage of basic material needs in 2018

1 Child poverty in crisis and in recovery. Smile of 1 Feasibility Study on a Child Guarantee, Target Group Discussion Paper on Children in Alternative Care, 2019, the Child. 2019 European Commission, DG EMPL. 2 Ibid 2 Asylum Information Database – Country Report: Greece 82 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Alternative Supporting children and families Children in Alternative Care Summary of Ratings Recommendations in the context of COVID-19 in the (CiAC): long term: Government's support for Supporting children and • Prioritise support for families and families and children during the families in the context of • Direct communication with children in vulnerable situations COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 in the short term: children, more structural including the promotion of and  guidance to educational awareness raising about foster • To promote direct communication response and distance-learning, care and better incentives for Positive EU impact on more with all children including very less dependence on ad-hoc foster care parents. child-centred legislation at young children, since information solutions and the professional national level: was shared in a non-child friendly dedication of individual teachers, • Mapping the number of children  way most of the time. Children’s and enhancement of public in child protection and placed lives were disrupted and they support of well-established and in out-of-home care in Greece 2020 Country Specific needed to understand the professionally run emergency should be a priority. Recommendations: complexity of the issue. and helplines. These require  structural and sustained political • Improve the coordination and • To ensure child participation in investment. cooperation between the Government's efforts to decision shaping and decision Ministry of Labour, the Ministry provide sufficient resources making in relation to the • Make the education system of Education and the Ministry of and services for families and COVID-19 crisis. better equipped technologically, Justice as the social protection children: methodologically and personally services provided by these three  • Authorities should communicate to tackle crisis situations in the ministries overlap but are poorly efficiently with the public about future. Make online education aligned. Government’s protection of the existence of 24/7 shelters as accessible for all children. children’s right to participate: well as Emergency and Helplines  since they are crucial in times of crisis. Country profiles - Greece | 83

Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis

The disruption of education is an The closing of schools meant that the Child in collaboration with the Negative developments issue recognised by all and at all problems of family violence, abuse General Secretariat of Sports. levels. From the perspective of or exploitation were not so visible. The social and psychological children, school is not just a learning There was no readily available • Online seminars on crisis disorientation resulting from the place but also a determining replacement for this. Moreover, the management for parents and pandemic was felt by all segments component of their social context. existence of 24/7 well-established carers of children by the experts of of the population, including children. Digital education from a distance and professionally run Emergency the Smile of the Child. Children were heavily impacted by was to some extent a remedy for and Helplines was not promoted news in the media with regard to the academic part of the problem. sufficiently. Nonetheless, the mortality figures, causes of death, The digital divide between children National Helpline for Children SOS the increased risk for age groups to with access to computers and 1056 received a lot of calls from which their grandparents and some the internet and those without children speaking in a whisper. Most of their other loved ones belong, etc. has definitely become deeper as of the calls were related to domestic Direct communication with children a result of the temporary closure violence. is therefore all the more important. of schools and the replacement by distant learning. Schools, civil Social support services to families society organisations, and solidarity Good practice in need were either re-oriented to groups distributed computers to food-donations or suspended due socially disadvantaged children. • Publication of communication / to various restrictions (travel) and However, many families struggled information materials regarding challenges (online counselling, with access to the internet. Private the implementation of COVID-19 lack of staff). In the event of a new schools and some public schools prevention measures lockdown, nationwide or regional, were quite quick to replace physical  the Smile of the Child proposes that classes by digital learning, whereas people who need to travel to social many public schools were slower • Operation of telephone lines for service centres be guaranteed an in launching online education. The psychological support of children exemption. Smile of the Child suggests having and parents – caregivers an aligned approach as well as  Measures to ensure the school certification procedures in continuation of children’s crisis situations. • A voluntary blood donation education: scheme organised by the Smile of  84 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Concrete examples of challenges in supporting Policies for Investing in Children families and children child-centred legislation At the end of March 2020, in the midst National strategy to implementation the EU needs of the pandemic and as our country was tackle child poverty to further develop effective in quarantine, when almost no services instruments to act and influence were working normally, the NGO ‘The Smile of government, directly and indirectly the Child’ received a phone call from a mother. There is no specific national strategy via civil society organisations. A for child poverty. Some measures European strategy only has value She said, with great anxiety, that her child would exist such as food programmes for when it is accompanied by concrete soon have to travel to Germany for his scheduled children. instruments: conditionality in funding surgery, which could not be postponed, as was child-related policies and projects (in confirmed by the child's neuro-surgeon. The Smile of the Child hopes that the the sector of education and culture). As there were no flights, the chances of a positive National Action Plan for the Rights of outcome were slim. We immediately addressed the the Child, which is being elaborated The Smile of the Child calls on the office of the Prime Minister, who approved our request by the Ministry of Justice, will also EU to work with national civil society to proceed with the air transportation procedures. provide measures to reduce child and thus empower the civil society In collaboration with the National Emergency Aid poverty. Only a comprehensive and organisations at local/national level, Centre (EKAB) and the Department of Air Transport well-coordinated approach stands a helping to guarantee continuity and and the INI Clinic in Hannover (Germany), the chance of having a wide, sustained a better impact at lower financial transportation of the child from the rehabilitation and lasting impact. Child poverty cost. For example, in the migration is structural and requires a more crisis in Greece the EU followed a centre to Athens airport, with an ambulance of comprehensive strategic approach. policy that excluded well-established our organisation, and an onward transport to but local organisations, in favour of Hanover was arranged. Upon arrival, the child EU influence on national global NGOs. suffered a heart attack and was taken for immediate developments surgery, although it had been scheduled for the The 2020 country specific next day. The surgery was successful, the child The EU has insufficiently recommendations were received further treatment and the return to influenced the government disappointingly focused only on Greece took place in the care of our organisation, in to implement child-centred economic recovery and did not the same way as the outbound journey. legislation. mentioned children.

To be more efficient in pressuring The rather general European governments towards recommendations partly focus Country profiles - Greece | 85 on the need to strengthen the The Smile of the Child considers that and from the European Structural areas of public sector competence healthcare system. Policies children were hit disproportionately, and Investment Fund (ESIF) (not to communicate with children in a specifically directed at youth and particularly those in families under exclusively European Social Fund direct way. children, whose development and the poverty threshold. They still plus (ESF+) to structurally improve future is the most compromised represent a considerable proportion services such as education, New mechanisms by which children by the pandemic, are only briefly of the children in Greece. Before healthcare, childcare, housing, and are heard by parliament before mentioned in references to social COVID, the recovery of the economy nutrition. decisions affecting them are taken inclusion and youth. had been steady but apparently should be set up. Children’s advisory insufficient to decisively reduce Children’s participation councils in cooperation with the Access to financial resources poverty and the risk of slipping Children’s Ombudsperson should be and services of high quality into poverty for children. With The efforts made by Greece on board. regard to future measures at EU in ensuring children’s right to The efforts made by Greece in level, the answer lies in the Child participate were adequate. ensuring adequate resources and Guarantee, and at national level in services to families and children a commitment to earmark financial A structural approach is needed, are unsatisfactory. means from the national budget that is applied across all relevant

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

with their birth family. The main support during the crisis. A one-time Impact of the COVID-19 public office responsible for the benefit was given to families where Preventing the crisis protection of children in institutions at least one member had to stop unnecessary entry of and unaccompanied children did not working due to the lockdown. children in alternative provide any information, no data or care Children living in residential settings any other explanation. Residential Several NGOs had to stop their and unaccompanied minors became centres were understaffed and operations and received no financial invisible during the corona virus voluntary staff were not allowed. contributions, which left some Roots Research Centre insists that crisis in Greece, the Research Roots Institutions working with children organisations heavily in debt, as they not enough is being done to prevent Centre Greece suggests. There was with disabilities were operating still had to pay for overheads (rent, children being separated from their no information about what should under an unclear regime, too. electricity and other expenses). families, despite the government’s happened to the children if any child Moreover, many vulnerable families claims. They registered several was ill, whether they were tested, became more vulnerable due to family separations during the crisis. or if there was any communication job losses and an absence of any The procedure for removing a child 86 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester from their family is not adequate parent who is entitled to approve Roots Research Centre therefore adolescents whose adoption has either. Roots Research Centre notes the transfer of the child to foster calls for a change in the current been terminated. that a child can be separated from care and all other actions. For law, in particular as regards the their family merely on the basis of example, if the child needs a medical guardianship scheme since the Children in migration an accusation or complaint, without intervention, the foster parent current version does not respond the regional or municipal social cannot give permission to the doctor adequately to the needs of a child. Regarding the impact of the services being notified and without to operate, as there is no temporary On the other hand, in Greece there coronavirus on children in migration, the adequate investigation process guardianship-type agreement. is a very good evaluation process Roots Research Centre explains needed if a child is at risk. of the foster families, so when the that some unaccompanied children There is no service provision or children are placed in foster families, hosted by NGOs were protected, support for the family at risk and they will receive appropriate care but the rest who stayed in camps, Progress on child whose child has been taken. Re- from their foster parents. police facilities and in the streets protection and care unification of children with their were not offered any protection. reform birth families happen rarely and The government started preparing The re-location of unaccompanied preference is given to adoption. a deinstitutionalisation strategy minors to re-unite with their Roots Research Centre believes that in 2019 that focuses on children families has been also delayed There has been no progress on foster care is the best solution and if with and without disabilities, adults due to COVID-19 restrictions. child protection reforms. Even the the conditions in the family of origin with disabilities, and the elderly to Following the commitment that foster care system that was recently improves a child can be re-united address all recurring challenges to 1,500 unaccompanied minors created by adoption of the law on with his/her parents. Similarly, foster the child protection system and the would be able to travel from Athens foster care in 2018 has not been care in Greece is underdeveloped, disabled and elderly population. and the Greek islands to other activated therefore Roots Research as most people want to adopt rather European countries, only 250 have Centre launched an online petition. than foster. Foster care parents Care leavers travelled so far. To date, there is no The aim was to raise awareness receive an allowance, but only if the centralised general secretariat or about this problem because child is placed in foster care through Young people who leave alternative, office to tackle the issues related to even children who were already a public hospital in Athens and not prevailingly institutional, care face unaccompanied children. assessed for foster care remained in through a hospital of another region multiple challenges in Greece. Roots residential institutions. of the country. Foster care parents Research Centre believes that with children with disabilities do supported accommodation is the Foster parents’ rights and not receive support for making the most urgent issue to be addressed. responsibilities do not correspond necessary alterations in their home. Supported living apartments with every day needs and situations. Foster care mothers are not offered will provide accommodation for The child remains under the parental leave or days off to care for adolescents with prior criminal guardianship of its biological their foster child. backgrounds, care leavers or Alternative • Publish child-friendly materials Recommendations to explain the pandemic to families and children; Hungary Supporting children and families in the context of • Consult with children on all Country Profile on the European COVID-19 in the short term: measures aimed at children. Semester and COVID-19 crisis • Develop the guidelines and Supporting children and provide training for teachers families in the context of from a children’s rights perspective and other professionals on COVID-19 in the long term: distance and online teaching methodology and safety on the • Provide high quality services: internet also with attention to supervision, developing Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC children in vulnerable situations; digital literacy for all, access Family, Child, Youth Total number of Number of to digital learning for children institutions/SGHs children Association; Hintalovon • Make online education in vulnerable situations with Institutional 7,072 accessible to all children with special attention to children Foundation Hungary care (in total) in special attention to children with disabilities, Roma children 2019 in vulnerable situations by and children in care; Institutions 2,247 providing technical and for children 22.4 % with personnel support; • Increase the financial and disabilities in-kind support for families in Children at risk of poverty or social Institutions 75 (including 37 304 • Provide guidance and training need; for children general residential exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 0-6 homes, 16 specialised to professionals and other homes for young children under 6, and 22 service providers to cope with • The local community should be small group homes for the pandemic; supported to be able to secure specialised homes for young children under 6) all services based on universal Number of 13,018 • Increase the resources for and targeted care provisions: children in 2,256 family support services and health care, education, early family- (children 0-3) based/ provide technical support for childhood education and care, foster care professionals on how to handle and social services. in 2019 the crisis while also protecting themselves and their families; 88 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for The Family, Child and Youth professional staff, closure of the families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 Association notes that there is a very residential homes, ban on parental COVID-19 pandemic: crisis low level of digital literacy among visits and children’s visits to their  school teachers in Hungary. They families, no going out, etc., lack lack basic information i.e. on the of digital devices - problems with Positive EU impact on more Negative developments age limits to access different online digital education. There was also child-centred legislation at platforms, usage of the content a moratorium on accepting newly national level: There was no clear guidance from filtering software, and tools to referred children.  the authorities. As a result, the prevent online bullying. Therefore, Hintalovon Foundation and the it has become a new advocacy Children with special needs have 2020 Country-Specific Family, Child, Youth Association objective for the Family, Child and not got access to the necessary Recommendations: struggled to provide advice on the Youth Association that was not services. Children with special  parent’s visits and other issues while planned strategically in their annual educational needs have also been providing pro bono legal services advocacy plan for 2020. Disruptions deprived of the necessary services. Government's efforts to (dealing with family cases such in education and a worsening of provide sufficient resources as child custody). The financial educational performance were Government measures and services for families and recession experienced by both observed.1 children: families and service providers has The government introduced an  not been translated into concrete There was a need for extra training, Action Plan to protect the Hungarian measures for poor families. technical support and supervision economy2 that includes few Government’s protection of for social workers working with measures referring to families e.g. children’s right to participate: It was an extra strain for NGOs to families at risk that remained unmet. a moratorium for family debts or  maintain their activities such as To some extent NGOs filled that extending the deadlines for financial providing personal assistance or gap, but access to health and social support. The Family, Child and Youth training for professionals to fulfil support has decreased substantially Association suggests those are their commitments. Financial in many places. limited economic measures and that sustainability has become a great there is a lack of other aid for families challenge for most NGOs. Children living away from their and children in vulnerable situations. family have been facing extreme Apart from this Action Plan, no other challenges, such as lack of policy was implemented.

1 Internet usage during the pandemic 2 Magyarország 2020 - Évi Nemzeti Reform Programja Country profiles - Hungary | 89

Examples of good practice • Hintalovon Foundation conducted managed to increase and adjust expanded its activities to support a survey on children’s experiences their activities, for example: the Roma families and children5. • The Hungarian Child Rights on internet, digital education, etc. Igazgyöngy (Real Pearl) enhanced NGO Coalition put together a during the pandemic. its direct support and educational • Eötvös Lóránd University tested list of initiatives and resources3 help to families and children4 and and introduced distance learning developed during the pandemic. • Some NGOs active in the most the Vanhelyed Foundation has for students with disabilities.6 deprived regions and localities

Policies for Investing in Children

Association calls for the adoption of The 2020 Country Specific National strategy to policies such as a national child anti- EU influence on national Recommendations for Hungary only tackle child poverty poverty strategy. developments partially reflect the main challenges, recommending social assistance Another negative development is and quality education for all. The There is no strategy addressing child a regression in the protection of The EU has insufficiently influenced Family, Child and Youth Association poverty but there is a social inclusion children’s rights in Hungary. As the the government to implement child- note that the recommendations programme for Roma people Family, Child and Youth Association centred legislation. are mainly economic in nature and and for people living in deprived outlines, the current government fail to address the most vulnerable regions of the country.7 According ignores the respect and promotion To be more efficient the EU should groups including children (disabled, to government statements this of human and child rights, and provide better independent poor, living away from their family, programme represents a national children’s rights are not featured in monitoring of EU-funded projects to unaccompanied minors, etc.). anti-poverty strategy. any policy. prevent corruption and inefficiency in the implementation of the Since child poverty is above financial support and make the the EU average and the level of government accountable not deep poverty is extremely high claiming the money back from and continuously increasing in taxpayers’ money. Hungary, the Family, Child and Youth

3 Programok a Gyermekjogi Civil Koalíció ajánlásával 4 The Work of Real Pearl Foundation During The Pandemic 5 VanHelyed Foundation 6 Good practices on equitable access to distance education 7 “Jelenlét”; “Felzárkózó települések” 1404/2019 (VII.5.) Gov. Reg. 90 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Access to financial rest of the population. The severe 48,000 in 2018. Moreover, in the provision and restricting support to resources and services of material deprivation rate among past nine years, Hungary has not families in need. high quality children (15.2%) and families with made progress towards Sustainable three or more children (22.0%) Development Goal 5 on gender Educational outcomes are below the was among the highest in the EU, equality. The three years paid EU average and large differences Since 2006 the situation has well above the EU averages (6.4% maternity allowance has created a remain. By the age of 15, basic worsened substantially, due to and 6.7%). Deprivation, including strong belief that mothers should skills are significantly below the EU the crisis in 2008 and following housing deprivation, is among the saty at ome in any circumstances. and regional averages and have the change of government in reasons for a relatively high share decreased over the last decade. The 2010 and the consequent shifting (1.3%) of children under state care, The adequacy of the social safety impact of pupils’ socio-economic of political priorities. All this has which indicates a need to strengthen net has weakened over the past background on their educational led to the impoverishment of the prevention.8 In 2019, close to half decade. Social transfers reduce the outcomes is one of the strongest poorer and marginalised families. of Hungarian Roma (43.4%) faced poverty rate in Hungary by 48.8%, in the EU. Schools are increasingly As neither the minimum pension, severe material deprivation, and which is one of the highest in the characterised by the similar socio- nor maternity allowance or family around four in ten people suffering EU. This is mainly driven by family economic background of their allowance has been increased from it were Roma9. benefits during parental leave. pupils, with concentrations of since 2006, it has affected a fast The poverty-reducing impact of disadvantaged pupils in certain growing number of families. Many Limited childcare provision for under other benefits is low. The minimum schools. The share of schools of those have lost their properties 3 years old, is one of the reasons for income allowance has been with over 50% of Roma students due to unpaid mortgages. There the gender employment gap and low unchanged since 2012 and now, increased from around 9% in 2008 has been financial austerity with fertility rate in Hungary. The share at 15% of the minimum wage, it to around 14% in 2018. no adequate resources for health of children under the age of three is one of the least adequate in the care, education and social support. enrolled in childcare increased from EU.10 The public works wage also Public spending on health is low, As a consequence, there are fewer 13.8% in 2017 to 16.5% in 2018, but decreased relative to the minimum and a high reliance on out-of-pocket services in the precisely the areas it is still well below the EU average of wage, from 77% in 2013 to 55% in payments restricts access for poorer where most of the children and 35.1% and the Barcelona objective 2019. Social protection for casual households, exacerbating disparities families in vulnerable situations live. of 33%. The government’s nursery and seasonal workers is limited. in access to care. Although the development programme plans Labour shortages strongly affect authorities started addressing Children experience higher to increase the number of crèche social services too, affecting service the problem of health workforce deprivation rates compared with the places to 70,000 by 2022 from the shortages, regional disparities

8 Statement of the ombudsman, 14 December 2017 9 Poverty and social exclusion show strong territorial concentration: In the least developed districts, where one in ten Hungarians live, the average income per taxpayer was hardly above the minimum wage. A quarter of the population in South Transdanubia, North Great Plain and North Hungary was at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Residential isolation of Roma is one of the highest in the EU. (European Commission) 10 According to the benchmarking exercise on minimum income in Social Protection Committee. (European Commission) Country profiles - Hungary | 91 remain an issue. Strengthening government has made no effort in Children’s participation system or social protection, primary care remains a key condition ensuring adequate resources and children’s participation – or even for improving effectiveness and services to families and children in • There has never been any serious the participation of parents and equity of access to care. need, only the well-off families. consideration of children’s professionals – in decision making participation, despite the has always been very low and it Following the above mentioned ratification of the international has worsened with the current analyses the Child, Youth and Family treaties. Both within families, conservative politics and policies. association considers the Hungarian in the education, health care

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

increased tensions and violence In foster care there was no guidance kindergarten attendance where Impact of the COVID-19 substantially, particularly in on how to proceed in the event the absence of the child might lead crisis institutions. of the illness or infection of any to taking a child out of the family. family member, likewise there was 35%11 of children enter alternative The pandemic has made it even no plan or services to tackle those care due to poverty and social In residential homes contact more clear how inadequate situations. There was also a lack of exclusion. Local community-based between children and their biological residential facilities are for ensuring access to proper education for many services for families at risk are family members was suspended. the well-being of children. Children children in foster families because missing or are very limited. The Children were not allowed to leave with diverse needs and without they did not receive any assistance Family, Child and Youth Association the institutions either. Participation proper professional plans were to participate in online education. estimates that approximately in online education was weak due placed together in the same small 150,000 children will enter the child limited access to the internet, lack group home. A wide age range Preventing the unnecessary protection system in the upcoming of computers and carers’ teaching often led to abuse (older children entry of children in alternative period as a consequence of the and technical skills. Other challenges often harassing the younger ones). care pandemic. included overstretched staff (high Even in normal times there is a lack child-staff ratio), lack of separation of properly trained and supervised The Family, Child and Youth Progress on child protection opportunities and provision of staff due to a high turnover and Association is of the view that reforms personal protective equipment low salaries. The quality of care is many policies and practices have (PPE). There were no guidelines inadequate in many settings. increased the risk of child-family There is no deinstitutionalisation for the staff nor the children, which separation such as compulsory reform going on in Hungary, the

11 Erőforrásokat a megelőzésre és az alapellátásra - az ombudsman a gyermekek családból való, elsődlegesen anyagi okból történő kiemelések gyakorlatáról 92 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Family, Child and Youth Association highlights. Moreover, social workers and professionals, including civil society organisation staff, lack supervision and better organisation since they need to cover many child- protection cases. The system has become more bureaucratic and the individual interests of children are not taken into account.

Civil society organisations protecting children and families are often left out of consultations and decisions. For example, a report from a home for children with challenging behaviour in Kalocsa, revealed abuse of children by caregivers, and among children themselves there was prostitution and drug abuse.

EU funds

The transparency and accessibility of EU funds are the main challenge in Hungary. Alternative Recommendations Ireland Supporting children and families in the context of COVID-19 in the short term:

Country Profile on the European • Ensure children safety at school and prompt Semester and COVID-19 crisis measures to remedy the effects of any future prolonged period away from schools (learning from a children’s rights perspective loss, educational and developmental delays, school dropout, deterioration of behaviour and emotional regulation).

Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC • Children’s emotional well-being is of serious Children’s Rights Alliance Total number of institutions/ Number of concern. Our members are reporting high levels SGHs children Ireland; EPIC Empowering of stress and anxiety among young people. Supports need to be put in place for children People In Care Ireland Small group homes (SGHs) 179 4091 in 2019 and young people.

Number of children in family- 5,957 at the based/foster care in 2019 end of Q2 20202 Supporting children and families in the Foster care (general and 5,450 at the context of COVID-19 in the long term: relative) end of Q2 20203

Residential Placement 406 at the end of Q2 20204 • Implement the Child Guarantee Kinship care 1;548 24.1 % • Invest in addressing food poverty Adoptions 131 (End 2018) Children at risk of poverty or social Number of unaccompanied 175 Children in Alternative Care: exclusion in 2018 (AROPE) minors in 2017

• Children or young people in care, or with care experience, need to be specifically mentioned within the next Programme for Government in

1 Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has identified 483 children with a Ireland, and related action plans, and cannot moderate or severe disability living in foster care placements, but the be simply included in a general category Ombudsman for Children (Ireland) said there was no consensus with the Health Service Executive (HSE) that this was the actual number. of ‘children in vulnerable situations’ or 2 Tusla, Quarterly Service Performance and Activity Report, Quarter2 2020 ‘marginalised children’. 3 Tusla, Quarterly Service Performance and Activity Report, Quarter2 2020 4 Tusla, Quarterly Service Performance and Activity Report, Quarter2 2020 94 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for employees and the self-employed Negative developments families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 who have lost their job on or after 13 COVID-19 pandemic: crisis March 2020 due to the COVID-19 The main key challenges experienced  pandemic and it will be in place until by children and families in Ireland as April 2021. a result of the COVID-19 outbreak Positive EU impact on more Government support were: child poverty, the impact of child-centred legislation at Campaigns and Initiatives: the pandemic and the lockdown on national level: The government’s support to children and young people’s mental  families and children during the • Let’s Play Ireland2 is a health and learning loss from children crisis was adequate. It extended the government-led initiative aimed and young people as a result of being school meals programme when the at promoting play for all children out of school. Moreover, technology schools shut, so that children would living in Ireland during the difficulties - such as not having not go hungry. There has been a COVID-19 emergency. access to computers and internet big focus on reopening early years connections - have been extremely settings for all children, in particular • Supporting Children3 is a focused challenging for certain groups, based those from vulnerable groups and for government campaign outlining on their economic situation and their children of frontline workers. Whilst information about services for location. This is an ongoing severe this proved to be challenging, most children, young people and disparity which concerns primary, of the country’s early years settings families. secondary and third level students in opened on 29 June 2020. As of question. mid-August 2020, 85% of services • Let’s Get Ready4 is a government that were normally open over the campaign to help parents and The ESRI conducted research5 on summer had reopened.1 children prepare to return to early the implications of the COVID-19 learning and childcare services or pandemic for policy in relation to The COVID-19 Pandemic make the move to pre-school and children and young people. The Unemployment Payment was school for the first time. report highlights that emerging introduced at the start of the evidence suggests that inequalities pandemic and is available to experienced by vulnerable groups of

1 Early Childhood Ireland, Dealing with the Pandemic: Member consultation Project 2 Let's Play Ireland 3 Supporting children 4 Let's get ready 5 The Implications of the Covid-19 pandemic for Policy in Relation to Children and Young People Country profiles - Ireland | 95 children such as Traveller, Roma and • The impact of the pandemic and • Direct provision/homelessness. deprivation during the COVID-19 children with a disability have grown the lockdown on children and crisis. A total of €164,000 was because of the pandemic. It outlines young people’s mental health and • Parenting challenges and activities issued to 21 organisations across that children from disadvantaged well-being. with children. Ireland.7 backgrounds were more likely to experience ‘learning loss’ as a result • The challenges children have • In response to the emerging National strategy to tackle of school closures. The closures faced with the schools and needs resulting from COVID-19, child poverty also reduced access to social and early years services closing. members outlined that they sports activities which will impact In particular, families living in adapted how they work to stay Adopting a national strategy to on a child’s overall well-being. It also vulnerable situations and families connected to families in vulnerable tackle child poverty is necessary for outlined that the two main drivers of in poverty have struggled with the situations through phone and web Ireland to tackle child poverty and family stress during the pandemic: lack of technology in the home when face to face support was efficiently implement the future EU the necessity to combine remote and the need in some situations not possible. Despite this being a Child Guarantee. At the moment, working with home schooling and for parents to balance working short term beneficial solution, it two important elements in this field childcare. from home with home schooling. is acknowledged that the longer are: this continues the harder will be Another ESRI report6 highlighted • An increase in domestic violence for children and young people to • Better Outcome – Brighter the need to raise income supports has been reported. connect this way, as well as for Future8: The National Policy to parents to mitigate a rise in child vulnerable families, as so much is Framework for Children and Young poverty as a result of COVID-19. • Food poverty, because of the lost without face to face physical People 2014-2020 contains a closure of early years’ services and interaction. target for the reduction of child The Children’s Rights Alliance schools who would have provided poverty in Ireland. held regular members’ meetings meals to young children from Good practice on issues arising for children and vulnerable backgrounds. • Roadmap for Social Inclusion families on the impact of COIVD-19. The Children’s Rights Alliance, with 2020-20259: The Roadmap Some of the areas of concern • Difficulties, particularly funding from a number of donors, outlines a plan to reduce highlighted were: during lockdown for families established a food provision scheme consistent poverty to 2% or less living in overcrowding/living to support the nutritional needs and make Ireland one of the most • The impact of parents losing their arrangements. of children under the age of six socially inclusive countries in the jobs. years experiencing poverty and EU.

6 Child Poverty in Ireland and the Pandemic Recession 7 Children’s Rights Alliance, Food Provision Scheme 8 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/63a1ff-report-of-the-national-policy-framework-for-children-young-people-20/ 9 http://www.dsfa.ie/en/pdf/Roadmap_for_Social_Inclusion_2020_2025_Summary_of_Ambition_Goals_and_Commitments.pdf 96 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

The majority of children in care are in ordinarily provided food for children of going to school is impacting on Impact of the COVID-19 foster care in Ireland and therefore and young people in school, out to the units as all the children are now crisis decisions or supports depended the wider community, based on the there together. The other issue on the needs of the foster family recognised needs of the families. for staff was trying to motivate and the members of that family, in These supports have included other the young people to keep up with Tusla (the Child and Family conjunction with their social workers. organisations which provide day their schoolwork and it was said Agency)10 staff around the country to day supports for the vulnerable repeatedly in the surveys that care have been working with local There is currently no overarching and homeless. Other programmes staff are not schoolteachers. partners and organisations to long term strategy, that EPIC is to support families in vulnerable develop creative solutions to help aware of, to support families and situations have adapted or been From the EPIC survey of residential children and families during the children in vulnerable situations in rolled out12. Each area of the country centres13, it was reported that public health crisis.11 However, coping with the long term effects of has adapted differently, depending young people were experiencing solutions and supports have tended COVID-19. However, short and long on existing set up or supports. loss due to a lack of family contact. to be local, individual, and not an term supports were implemented by Access has been curtailed and, in overarching support for the families Tusla because of COVID-19, such as Overall, in EPIC’s view the responses most places, completely stopped in vulnerable situations and children extending existing placements and as listed above have been positive so young people are missing their in care. aftercare supports which have been and under extremely difficult family. continued and extended by Tusla circumstances, namely a prolonged Social media has been used a lot and are currently providing some lock-down, the supports seem to Other main challenges included: to try and share good practice and stability. This provided stability to the have worked well. innovative practice within the sector. young people who were due to leave • Lack of face to face contact However, overall communication has placements, or whose aftercare The difficulty in accessing services with children and young people, been inconsistent and therefore it supports were due to end due to and the closure of schools has children and young people not has been up to the residential care ageing out of the system. caused major challenges for EPIC. willing to engage over zoom etc. homes to make decisions, or indeed The issue of being out of school and the difficulty in adequately has come down to the discretion of Local schools extended food has impacted on many levels. The supporting them because services social workers or their managers. support programmes, which loss of the routine and structure are not operating as normal.

10 Tusla – The Child and Family Agency was established on 1 January 2014 and is now the dedicated state agency responsible for improving well-being and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services ever undertaken in Ireland. It is an ambitious move which brings together over 4,000 staff and an operational budget of over €750m. More info here. 11 Tusla – update 12 Tusla – initiatives 13 EPIC, TUSLA – A survey of Children’s Residential Care Services in Ireland during the Covid-19 crisis, May 2020. Country profiles - Ireland | 97

• Inconsistencies nationally in terms Preventing the services has dropped. This is due has already made observations of approaches to dealing with unnecessary entry of to the schools, youth clubs, sports relating to some of the issues that COVID-19 – for example when to children in alternative clubs, etc. being closed. Therefore, have arisen, as a result of COVID-19. allow family access, and in what care if children have been at risk during shape or form. this time, they may not have had Thankfully in Ireland the numbers the supports of the Child and of young people in residential care • Courts and children’s reviews Family support services have been Family Agency, and may be unable is low, 406.16 However, all research been postponed or cancelled, so run on a limited scale due to the to contact other supports and shows that young people have the usual oversight of the child’s restrictions around COVID-19. resources. better outcomes when living in a care has not taken place. As stated previously, areas have family home environment. Due to a operated differently, and it appears Progress on child protection shortage of foster carers in Ireland at Initiative that there was no general oversight and care reform present, unfortunately more young of these support services. people are ending up in residential During May 2020, Health The government has been reviewing care. Information and Quality Authority • Child Protection and Welfare the Child Care Act 1991, and though (HIQA) Inspectors from Children’s Cases: 4,655 cases awaiting this is a long process over a number Care leavers Services organised a competition allocation at the end of March of years some parts of the review for children in care, inviting them 2020. have been delayed due to COVID-19 Aftercare supports were extended to tell us about how they were (for example, consulting with young for those who were ageing out in being creative or showing kindness • Child Protection Notification people was due to take place in March 2020 and, in some instances, during COVID-19. Children in Scheme: A total of 827 children spring and summer and has been in August 2020 as well. Depending residential care, specials care units listed as “active” at the end of postponed). on the situation it is expected that and Oberstown Children Detention March 2020.14 this will be reviewed and extended Campuses across the country took Some court cases were initially again. Young people who are in part – sending us stories, poems, • There were 31,134 referrals for delayed due to COVID-19 but residential placements are staying drawings and photos of their welfare concerns and 25,427 these, where necessary, are taking there past their 18th birthdays. initiatives. referrals of abuse for 2019.15 place again. Online hearings also While this is positive in that they took place. However, one would have a home, it does not help with One major concern is that the anticipate that there will be delays them moving on to possible school/ numbers of children and young due to the backlog. The Child Care college places in the autumn. people being referred to social Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) There is huge uncertainty around

14 Monthly Performance and Activity Report – March 2020 15 The data is only recorded between welfare and abuse. There is no breakdown in the different types of abuse. 16 Tusla, Quarterly Service Performance and Activity Report, Quarter2 2020 98 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

“Due to the lockdown, education, leading to stress around There are huge delays relating to where a young person will be living COVID-19 regarding all refugee a young person who when they are moved on. No clear programmatic work - the family had just recently timescale is given, in all cases. reunification processes are all very moved into residential delayed, and the Immigrant Council care was unable to meet with Children in migration of Ireland have stated that they his family for the first eight have sought information in this weeks in care. As this was also In 2019, 24 unaccompanied regard but that their communication his first time in care, he found minors were granted international has not been responded too.20 For this very difficult. Thankfully, protection in Ireland. As of April example, an interim care order for due to good social work, he 2020 there were 42 applications an unaccompanied child victim of was able to visit his home on a for international protection by trafficking was granted by Dublin twice weekly basis thereafter." unaccompanied minors pending.17 District Court in the first ever virtual The ESRI report18 identified that hearing of a District Court case.21 there were 175 unaccompanied minors referred to the care of Tusla Unaccompanied minors who arrive in 2017. In early June 2020 eight in Ireland are generally placed in unaccompanied minors were foster families, residential homes, or welcomed to Ireland.19 These young supported lodgings. In Ireland (and people had been identified to come recognising the tiny numbers) they to Ireland during a scoping exercise would be comparably well supported in September 2019, but their arrival by Tusla (the Child and Family was apparently delayed due to Agency). COVID-19.

17 See Parliamentary Question (PQ) by Minister Flanaghan, though in the same PQ the Minister obfuscates slightly and it is unclear if the 24 children have in fact all arrived. For more information please see Department of Justice and Equality 18 Approaches to unaccompanied minors following status determination in Ireland 19 Here for more information 20 In communication with the Immigrant Council of Ireland 25.06.2020. See also Immigrant Council of Ireland 21 Here for more information Alternative Supporting children and Recommendations families in the context of COVID-19 in the long term: Italy Supporting children and families in the context of • The Italian government should COVID-19 in the short term: tackle child poverty in the Country Profile on the European framework of the more general Semester and COVID-19 crisis • The Italian government should measures against poverty. In ensure equal opportunities at particular, it should change from a children’s rights perspective school for all children, especially the amount of funds directed by providing computers, desks to families with children and and internet connection for all ensure the quality of staff in children in poverty and funds social services to implement the Contributor: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC for NGOs to support families in social inclusion pacts. Fondazione l’Albero della Vita Small group homes Number of children in SGH filling the computer technology 1 (SGHs) 2017 knowledge and skills gaps. • The Italian government should 12,892 include within the future Family 30.6 % • The Italian government should Act measures to ensure the activate immediate measures development of quality services Children at risk of poverty or social 2 exclusion (AROPE) in 2018 Family-based care (2017 ) to monitor families in vulnerable for early childhood education Number of children in 14,219 situations to prevent violence and care, especially in the family-based/foster care: against children and provide southern regions. Number of children in 48% adequate psychosocial support. kinship care: • The European Union should Number of adoptions: • The Italian government should urge the Italian government to ensure food is provided to all create a national plan to tackle children in poverty, at school child poverty within the national 1 Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali ”Quaderni della Ricerca Sociale 46 – bambini and at family/community level measures to combat poverty. e ragazzi in affidamento familiare e nei servizi if school attendance is not residenziali per minorenni” - Esiti della rilevazione coordinate dei dati in possesso delle Regioni guaranteed. e Province autonome. Figures updated at 31 December 2017 2 Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali ”Quaderni della Ricerca Sociale 46 – bambini e ragazzi in affidamento familiare e nei servizi residenziali per minorenni” - Esiti della rilevazione coordinate dei dati in possesso delle Regioni e Province autonome. Figures updated at 31 December 2017 100 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for • Inefficient re-organisation of the Concrete examples of families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 school system: challenges in supporting COVID-19 pandemic: crisis  families and children  • Inadequate allocation of The Zen2 district of Positive EU impact on more Negative developments extraordinary funds for tackling Palermo witnessed child-centred legislation at child educative poverty: an increasing national level: • Significant decrease in fundraising  number of robberies at local  activities by individuals supermarkets by people Good practice wishing to protect their 2020 Country-Specific • Increased difficulty in ensuring the families: many children were Recommendations: safety of services’ beneficiaries • From the end of March to mid-  and staff September 2020, L’Albero della seriously at risk of starving. Vita delivered extra support to Many parents had serious • Increased difficulty in providing poor families by providing tablets problems feeding their support to children and families in and internet connection to 1,000 children for weeks. One poverty children and weekly shopping mother developed the habit vouchers to 800 families in six cities. of lowering the blinds at 5.00 • Very severe food poverty pm to simulate the arrival of registered during the lockdown • Several organisations provided the night in advance to avoid and the following period food support to poor families making her children hungry delivering it at home, in when she was not able to • Exclusion of poor children from distribution centres and with serve dinner. One family ate school when the learning process the support of National Civil hard fried bread for over a became digital Protection. week. • Violence and tension in poor • Several organisations moved their households where several family psychosocial support activities members live together online, providing educational, psychological and medical assistance in a very difficult situation. Country profiles - Italy | 101

Policies for Investing in Children

A national strategy to tackle child National strategy to poverty would be relevant to focus Access to financial tackle child poverty on this crucial issue rather than resources and services of generally on poverty, given that the high quality current approach is not improving The measures to combat poverty the condition of children in poverty. are recent in Italy: they were first The government has been very implemented in 2017 and have slow in putting into practice the only indirectly dealt with children by EU influence on national new citizens’ income, the so-called providing a financial benefit for poor developments Reddito di Cittadinanza. This families. Unfortunately, there is no concerns in particular the social sign yet of the political will to put a assistance that should be provided different emphasis on child poverty • Insufficient involvement of to poor families with children in a on the political agenda. There are the EU in promoting children’s vulnerable situation. These families different reasons for this, such as the rights: The EU should have face a vast array of problems which lack of understanding of the severity urged the Italian government to goes much further than pure and the impact of child poverty. create a national plan to tackle financial poverty. Moreover, the most recent measures child poverty within the national were mainly focused on the voting measures to combat poverty. It is crucial to support family population. members’ mental health in order • The Country Specific to ensure they keep or find a job On a more positive note, in Recommendations were and help stop the intergenerational drawing up the new National disappointing: Poverty and transmission of poverty. Childhood Plan, the National children are basically not Observatory for childhood and mentioned. There are just a adolescence is giving great very few mentions of the socio- prominence to this issue and economic difficulties faced by the developing coherent proposals to society. be implemented in the 2021 budget law. 102 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

the promotion of foster care in the families and children and between Small group homes territories, as well as the beginning siblings, with the promise of being (SGHs) – main challenges of new foster projects for minors. able to re-embrace soon, but many children suffered from not being It has been possible to monitor able to see their families; • Being able to redefine a daily foster care in progress. In particular, routine that had suddenly foster families were supported • The social isolation faced by completely changed and try to through calls and video-calls in their children who were deprived of all re-create a new context with the struggles through this tough time their daily relationships; new routine; and their efforts to make the best of it. • Working with limited professional • Being able to make sense of support, which was provided by what was happening and let The main challenges for foster means of telephone calls and it be enough for the life of the carers were: video-calls, as professionals could community; not make direct visits. • Living so close to one another • Continue to work, while the 24 hours a day, especially for world has stopped, and create a new foster families, that had just protective environment capable of started their relationship and containing uncertainty. barely knew each other;

• Manage school activities at home Family-based care especially when children are young; The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic decided by • Smart-working with children the government, have prevented constantly at home; direct contact with children and families and caused the suspension • Maintaining family contacts, which of all activities aimed at the training were guaranteed by means of and selection of foster families, video calls, both between birth Latvia Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributor: Latvian Child Welfare Network

18.9 %

Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 104 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Alternative • In dealing with the COVID-19 for children, young people and Summary of Ratings Recommendations crisis, the government should parents. involve professionals from Government's support for Supporting children and a broader range of sectors, • The government should families and children during the families in the context of not just epidemiologists and strengthen the health care COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19: healthcare professionals. system and emergency health  care services. • The government should • More educational and Positive EU impact on more reinforce family counselling informative material should be • The government should provide child-centred legislation at services as well as timely provided - not only to families, all children with a computer national level: financial /material support for but also to professionals and internet access as well  families avoiding unnecessary working in different sectors, as ensure a learning support beaurocratic procedures that such as social and educational from teachers during online Government's efforts to delay needed support. fields. education. provide sufficient resources and services for families and • The effect of the measures • Support measures for • The government should help children: adopted in response to the professionals should also be employees to keep their job  COVID-19 crisis must be provided, as they may burn out during and after the crisis. evaluated from the point of view over a longer period of time. Provide re-skilling trainings of children’s rights. and financial support for • The government should people who lost their jobs. This • The government should pay develop simple and practical should include self-employed, more attention to families with methodologies to deal with employees and other vulnerable fewer economic resources; the crisis situations and enhance groups with no or poor social increase in domestic violence; coordination among different protection. the increase in the psychological sectors and within sectors. problems of parents and their • Free COVID-19 tests should exhaustion. • The government should ensure be provided to all vulnerable free psychological consultations members of the society. Country profiles - Latvia | 105

Child Poverty

teachers were unprepared and Social area families with children increased. The Impact of the COVID-19 uncoordinated. On the other hand, There was an increase in violent same can be said about economic crisis parents were overloaded. Moreover, episodes within families, involving problems, given that in many one there was a lack of equipment children. This was linked to the or both parents lost their job or for distance learning in many emotional pressure experienced by experienced a significant decrease Negative developments families with children. Particularly parents and aggravated by the poor in their income. At present, the problematic situations affected living conditions and social, financial country has not yet compiled and Lack of a common strategy children who were in boarding or health problems. Many family analysed data on the impact of At a national level, there was a lack schools, crisis centres and out-of- members returned from abroad, the crisis on the well-being of the of a common strategy in the field home care before the COVID-19 which created additional strain on population. On the other hand, it is of the social protection of children outbreak. the daily family routine. Concerning expected that children with acute and families. The Ministry of Welfare social work, a number of cases were or chronic illnesses who did not published a number of guidelines NGOs had to deal with serious reported in which professionals receive the help they needed during on the subject. Unfortunately, they difficulties avoided face-to-face contact with the crisis may have witnessed a were too voluminous, abstract NGO employees were extremely clients. significant deterioration in their and difficult to understand. There vulnerable, for example many of health status. There were also was a lack of common information them were exposed to the virus or Healthcare significant challenges in the field for professionals working in the lost their jobs; many services were Health services for children were not of education, especially in ensuring social field. Furthermore, there was temporarily interrupted. In many available even in the most serious a quality learning process. This is lack of a unified support scheme instances, it was difficult to provide situations as a consequence the clearly shown by the deterioration for municipalities on what kind of assistance to clients, especially illness get worse and the number of in students’ performances and poor services should be provided to in cases concerning domestic patients has increased. results in their final exams. support families with children. Each violence or other sensitive issues. municipality dealt with this in its Many projects were fairly reduced or Negative impact Good practice own way; some provided lunch for cancelled; there was a huge decline The COVID-19 outbreak has caused families with children, some food in donations due to companies and a variety of difficulties in the areas Education packages, food vouchers, etc. individuals concerned about their of well-being, health and education, The government provided distance financial situation. which will have significant negative learning tools (such as computers Education system consequences for children and and the TV channel Tavaklase), The system was unprepared to their families in the future. In recent free lunches for children from low- guarantee distance learning: months, conflicts and violence in income, poor and large families, 106 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester and methodological support for 700). Guidelines were developed for Concrete examples of challenges in teachers. Furthermore, webinars working with children and families supporting families and children for professionals (education and for dealing with incidents of professionals, educators, interest violence. educators, etc.) were organised by Domestic instabilities the Agency for International Youth Webinars Programmes to teach how to help NGOs organised many webinars A mother raising a nine-year-old daughter children and young people learn on children's and family welfare. and a 16-year-old son alone was helped remotely and build a healthy daily life For example, the Union of Local by members of a civil society organisation. in times of crisis. Governments of Latvia organised Her son has moderate intellectual disability so, before a conference on the impact of the pandemic, he was attending a special boarding Health the crisis on domestic violence, school during the week and returned to his home only In the majority of cases, the which was attended by specialists during the weekend. During lockdown he had to stay government provided free COVID in various fields, including social tests for those who had symptoms workers, orphans' courts, and NGOs. at home, so for the first time both children had to live of the disease or were involved in the together in the same place for a long period of time. medical sector or police. Positive initiatives There were a lot of conflicts and misunderstandings. These ‘Stay home’ and ‘Let’s help The sister refused to communicate with her family, she Well-being to stay at home’ initiatives provided stopped studying and became depressed. She became Amendments were made to the self-isolated people with basic aggressive towards her brother and started talking Law on Social Services and Social necessities, such as food and about suicide. The mother, struggling to maintain a Assistance, which provides for medicine. Various regional initiatives balance between the two children, experienced a severe additional support during a crisis, provided supplies and psychological emotional crisis and became physically abusive towards such as the Crisis Benefit (not more support to families and children. For her daughter, who she thought was abusing her brother, than EUR 40 per person for no more example, the Dobele Youth Initiative provoking and annoying her. She finally decided to ask than three months). There is also and Health Centre organised virtual for help from a member of the Latvian Child Welfare a supplement of EUR 50 for each remote activities for young people. child if the family receives 1) crisis Network. benefit (max age of 18 years) or 2) Helplines downtime benefit (24 years). The Free psychological helplines state maintained the payment of were provided by NGOs such as parental benefit during the lockdown Dardedze, Marta and Skalbes to help when a child reaches the age of one parents and children. or one and a half year (up to EUR Country profiles - Latvia | 107

Online safety Education Healthcare

In a house with Numerous parents An adolescent was four pre-school and called NGO helplines assigned to a foster younger school-age asking for help for family which required children living in an extended their children who dropped a COVID-19 test for the kid, family, parents allowed out of school and witnessed in order not to endanger the unrestricted use of screen a sharp decrease in their health of the other kids. The devices to provide activities success rate. state did not pay for the test, for the children. As a result, the so the family had to do it at its children found pornographic own expense paying around material and engaged in 80 euros. inappropriate sexual activities with each other. The mother sought help. Another school- age girl (third grade) met a person on the internet, who soon asked for a naked photo of the girl, which she sent. This person started to blackmail the girl asking for erotic videos and threatening to send the previous photo to her friends. Her grandmother sought help. Alternative • Tackle Child Poverty. Malta Recommendations Children in Alternative Care Supporting children and (CiAC): Country Profile on the European families in the context of Semester and COVID-19 crisis COVID-19 in the short term: • Support services for the parents and biological family of children from a children’s rights perspective • Ensure children’s safety online, who live in the care system set up harsher penalties in should be easily accessible and this domain and organise available as soon as the children information campaigns for both enter the system. Access to Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC children and guardians. these services will allow the Malta Foundation for the Total number Number of biological families to work on of institutions/ children • Provide empowering sessions their issues and explore the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS); SGHs focusing on self-esteem, peer possibility to re-unite with their Foundation for Social Institutional care (in total) in 20191 pressure and bullying. children. Welfare Services (FSWS) Small group homes (SGHs) in 2019 • Put early years on the political • Continue to develop more 0-3 years 3 36 agenda, especially when it outcome measures to ensure 0-17 years 11 184 comes to education. that changes are taking place to Children with 62 n/a 3 help improve children’s lives. 23.6 % disabilities Supporting children and Number of children 285 families in the context of • Continue to improve on the in family-based/ Children at risk of poverty or social foster care in 2020 COVID-19 in the long term: idea of co-production, thereby exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 Kinship care 59 involving children and parents in • Provide clearer guidelines to the development and evaluation Adoptions 215 educators when it comes to of projects and initiatives. Number of 314 unaccompanied teaching remotely. minors in 2019 • Advocate for an EU Policy on 1 In Malta there is no institutional care. online safety. 2 Two group homes plus four group homes for disability 3 The actual number of children cannot be identified according to the residence because there are children with disability who are in mainstream residential homes. 4 Asylum in Europe – Statistics, Malta Country profiles - Malta | 109

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for if working on a full-time basis and Key challenges experienced by families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 €103.85 per week if working on a families and children 1 COVID-19 pandemic: crisis part-time basis.  • Home schooling was found to be Good practice very complicated. Every educator Positive EU impact on more Government support had to find their own system to child-centred legislation at • The setting up of the Food teach online. national level: The government’s support to Aid project by the Malta Trust  families and children during the Foundation (local NGO): During • Children felt isolated as they crisis was adequate. lockdown - from March to June missed contact with their peer 2020 Country-Specific - it fed over 6,000 individuals of group and adults such as Recommendations: It provided a grant of €350 per which 2000 children. A number of educators and family members  employee to businesses who have other NGOs, such Caritas Malta, including grandparents. or had employees on quarantine, supported children and families by Government's efforts to whether this is mandatory or self- supplying cooked meals as well. • The lack of routine and structure provide sufficient resources imposed due to possible contact with was deemed to be difficult for and services for families and individuals directly at risk of infection. • The setting up of the Food most children. children: Aid project by the Malta Trust  Employees of enterprises Foundation (local NGO), which Key challenges for civil society that suffered from a complete is currently feeding over 9,000 organisations Government’s protection of suspension of operations were individuals including over 2,500 children’s right to participate: entitled to a grant of two days’ salary families. • The sudden need to adapt to  per week based on a monthly salary working remotely. of €800. • NGOs in Malta are united to fight poverty as one front. • Some NGOs were side-lined due Where, after 8 March 2020, at least to financial elements. one of the parents (in the private • Professionals went on voluntary sector) was required to stay at home lockdown to protect their service • The necessity to deal with a to take care of their school-aged users, such as those living in period of deep uncertainties and children, such parents received a out-of-home care settings and in challenges. direct payment of €166.15 per week homes for the elderly.

1 The points below were elaborated by children. Having said this, a recent EU report rated Malta as having the best E-Education programme during COVID-19. 110 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Policies for Investing in Children

EU influence on national • One of the main challenges facing the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), National strategy to developments families is a situation where both which Malta ratified in 1990. Yet, tackle child poverty parents are working long hours this has not been transposed to • Insufficient involvement of and children are being cared for national legislation. the EU in promoting children’s at after school sessions or by Child poverty is mentioned in the rights. The EU has not been other relatives. The Maltese NGOs • The government must believe National Strategic Policy for Poverty helpful on many different levels. would like to have a Minister for in children and young people Reduction and Social Inclusion.2 The fact that in 2020 we still don’t children focusing solely on the and value their contribution. We Having a national strategy for child have an EU Commissioner for best interests of the child. must nurture a listening culture. poverty is important as it puts children is unacceptable. National We need to reach out to children the issue on the national political governments have to move from Children’s participation and young people from socially agenda. words to concrete action, by excluded groups. allocating enough resources in their The voice of the child is still greatly The fact that as a country we have recovery plans to invest in children. underestimated in Malta. Children are • The government should ensure accepted to participate in the rarely given the space to participate the creation of a variety of CPAT project (Child Participation • The Country Specific even on issues concerning them. The mechanisms to ensure that Assessment Tool of the Council Recommendations were Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing children and young people, of Europe) confirms that Malta disappointing. Children are of Society is fully committed to give who use different styles of is ready to identify the gaps and only mentioned in relation to children the space to participate communication, are included. work to close or eliminate the gaps the EUR 800 grant being given through its various projects and identified. to parents who are employed its Children’s and Young Persons’ • The government should set up and neither is able to telework. Council. reference or advisory groups One of the problems to address Recommendations focus only made up of a small group of concerns children’s access to on the economy and helping Efforts of the government to children/young people to act as services. For example, the vast businesses recover from the ensure child participation advisors. majority of children do not have impact of this pandemic. No useful information about the services reference to our work as the • Meaningful and informed child available to them. document is mainly based on the participation is a right defined by economic impact of COVID-19. the United Nations Convention on

2 National Strategic Policy for Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion, Malta 2014-2024 Country profiles - Malta | 111

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

to employees with a daily physical • Weekly webinars for foster carers Child Protection Services Impact of the COVID-19 presence of 25% at offices. Where were introduced. crisis applicable, quarantine leave – • In general, operations continued without loss of income – was given Child Residential Homes with minor changes; to the employees concerned. As a General overview of FSWS result, there was no major disruption • Online training and support • Visits were still carried out in high measures in the provision of support and sessions were delivered for social risk areas; services to young people ageing out support workers; Services were operated in distinct of care. • Plenty of precautions akin to shifts to ensure continuity and safety • Staff were provided with protective the above-mentioned general at the same time. Practices were Agenzija APPOGG and gear; precautions were undertaken. changed and adapted to meet the Alternative Care Directorate needs of service users’, services • Parents, under staff supervision, From a child protection point of view, and employees at large. Moreover, • A new helpline 1772 for those spoke with their children using these are the three main challenges essential services were ensured, feeling lonely was introduced; technology; that were experienced by the such as residential services for agency: children, drug rehabilitation, DETOX • Supervised access visits were • Contact with children living in (Substance Misuse Outpatients temporarily shifted to online out of home care placements • People’s legitimate resistance to Unit), domestic violence services access; continued within the Looked After contact; (together with risk assessments), Children Service; child protection services and out • Different groups of people were • Fears by professionals that are of hours’ emergency services reached through food distribution; • Two online support groups for limiting visits (e.g. to schools); continued operating as if under children living in out of home care normal circumstances. • Online pre-assessment training placements were organised; • The reduced availability of medical was organised for fostering and professionals whose time is taken FSWS continued providing crisis adoption services; • Social workers within the up by the crisis. intervention services, phone intakes Domestic Violence Service and other emergency services. • Foster care placements for continued with normal home From the Children’s Directorate’s Office visits were replaced by children who needed out of home visits. point of view, these are the telephone interventions for service care placement continued to take three main challenges that were users. Teleworking was provided place; experienced: 112 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

• Even though the social workers Story of a girl in foster care A story of a foster family used social media, telephone calls, exchange of letters and cards and One of the challenges faced by minors residing in A foster family faced other means, the social workers care was the lack of contact that they had with their a challenging time could not carry out visits to the biological family members. The case of an 8-year-old during the COVID-19 premises/placements where the girl who lives in a foster placement, shows how deeply some of lockdown. Due to the pandemic children in care were residing. the children missed leaving their foster home to have access one of the foster parents lost with their parents, with whom they cannot reside. This girl, who her job, while the other was • Foster carers and residential used to meet her mother twice a week, could not understand asked to stop reporting to care staff had to be trained and equipped with resources to that it was in her best interests not to leave the house/ have work for a few weeks until support children to remain inside access with persons outside her household. Schools were closed the company where he works and do not leave the premises and parents were urged to leave children inside the foster home, reopened. The couple have where they live. thus access with family members was stopped. This girl called a child of their own and they her mother and had regular skype calls with her, however the foster two other children. The • Supervised and unsupervised effect of face to face contact could not be replaced. As soon as foster parents were offered access of minors living in care the restrictions started to loosen and it was safe for children to online support by their social with their family members were leave the house, access resumed and the girl and her mother worker, while they also had free stopped to ensure that the could meet again. online counselling sessions. minors were safe and to limit their Since the schools closed, foster carers had to make the Their social worker liaised with interaction with persons outside necessary arrangements to stay at home with the children. In other FSWS professionals to their placements. a very short period of time they had to change their routine financially help these foster and make the necessary arrangements. Foster families were carers during this challenging supported by regular phone calls. They were also offered free time, by providing them with online counselling sessions. Webinars covering a number of baby food and diapers. topics relevant to COVID-19 and the challenges that it brought about, were also being carried out on a weekly basis. Country profiles - Malta | 113

Preventing the Progress on child that the necessary precautions an income not exceeding the unnecessary entry of protection and care were taken. All meetings took place National Minimum Wage; children in alternative reform following the health-protection rules. care • Non-single households eligible for non-contributory means tested Individualised care with personalised EU funds age pension. There is a high value in keeping care planning is a right for minors families together. It is a preference, living in care. Minors deserve The Ministry (Ministry for the These criteria take into account although it will never be an absolute stability and permanency in their out Family, Children’s’ Rights and Social the financial situation of each value. If a family is abusive, removal of home care placements. Foster Solidarity) has been implementing household. It is noted that children, will continue to be an option. care and community based care the Fund for European Aid to along with the elderly, are at greater However, Child Protection Services should be given precedence over the Most Deprived (FEAD) in risk of poverty and social exclusion (CPS) make a special effort to institutional care. Therefore, in Malta cooperation with FSWS through and therefore have a higher risk access the family resources in order there is no institutional care. the provision of food packages of material deprivation. There is a to avoid placements in residential and other social welfare services notable difference between the care. There is always an attempt to The pandemic had a clear impact on for families in vulnerable situations at-risk-of-poverty rate of households mitigate and resolve the issues in the ability to move ahead with certain to ensure their integration/ with and without dependent children. the families and monitor for a period reform projects. FSWS suggests that reintegration into society. Additionally, households with two of time. If not, CPS actually negotiate the crisis actually freed up the space or more dependent children are with the families in question to for the departments to dedicate time FEAD Eligibility Criteria in Malta: deemed at a greater risk of poverty explore the removal of the child for the reforms, so, the impact was when compared to households with into other placements within the positive. However, because of the • Households in receipt of non- one dependent child. extended family. limited ability to meet, some things contributory means-tested were slow. benefits and having two or more During the COVID-19 pandemic The children’s directorate continued children below the age of 16; provision is being made to deliver to work with families in vulnerable The Children’s Directorate continued aid to people’s homes rather than situations even during the pandemic. with its interventions with minors • Households having two or more the usual system of collection from Where possible, interventions residing in out of home care. Since children below the age of 16 with one of 17 distribution centres. took place on the phone. However, the minors were placed safely in an income not exceeding 80% of Furthermore, a follow-up call has social workers also maintained their residences, social workers kept National Minimum Wage; been programmed to ensure that contact with families via face-to-face regular contact with them via social the target cohort is duly supported interventions carried out through media. With regards to youths who • Households having two or more and referred to any other social safe distancing. needed support, the social workers children below the age of 16 with welfare services where needed. still met with these youths, ensuring Alternative as social assistance, shelter for recommendations homeless families, the capacity of food banks with increasing Netherlands Supporting children and demand, etc. families in the context of COVID-19 in the short term: • Involve children and young Country Profile on the European people in developing the Semester and COVID-19 crisis • Provide clear, child-friendly measures and provide information to children and information that is from a children’s rights perspective young people, about the virus, understandable to them. about the measures and about the impact on their lives. • Invest in data collection on groups of children in vulnerable situations Contributor: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC • Ensure that children and young so that it is quickly clear which Dutch NGO Coalition Total number Number of people can participate in children need extra help. of institutions/ children discussions in all areas which on Children's Rights SGHs impact them including poverty • Research and evaluate the way Institutional care n/a 2,550 closed (in total) in 2019 measures, education, and in which youth care and youth residential care1 17,920 mental well-being. mental health care dealt with 15.5 % residential care2 the corona crisis and measures. Institutions for n/a n/a • Provide emergency financial Make sure that children and children with Children at risk of poverty or social disabilities support and material provision young people play a role in this. exclusion (AROPE) in 20191 Institutions for n/a n/a for families experiencing children 0-3 increased financial difficulty • Ensure that children and young Small group n/a 5,5503 during the crisis. people are involved in youth homes (SGHs) in 2019 care and youth mental health Number of n/a 23,2724 Supporting children and care and can participate in children in family- families in the context of the changes concerning the based/foster care in 2019 COVID-19 in the long term: coronavirus. Number of 1455 adoptions • Develop and invest in specific • Ensure that waiting lists in youth protection measures for children care and youth mental health 1 JH 1223 Gesloten plaatsing (JeugdzorgPlus en and young people against the care are resolved as quickly as 1 According the Netherlands Youth Institute: In gesloten GGZ) 2018, 8.1 percent of all minor children (0-18 2 JH 1224 Ander verblijf bij JH aanbieder economic consequences of this possible and use extra capacity years) live in low income families and 3.3 percent 3 JH 1222 Gezinsgericht crisis such as: extra budget for for this. of all minor children live in long lasting low income 4 Factsheet PLEEGZORG 2019 families (4 years or longer). This is 11,4 percent in 5 Statistisch overzicht Interlandelijke adoptie over social protection systems, such total. More info available here de Jaren 2015 tot en met 2019 Country profiles - Netherlands | 115

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty Government's support for families and children during the With the imposition of the Multiple parties have published COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of the COVID-19 COVID-19 measures, there were reports regarding the impact of  crisis also concerns that tensions the crisis on children in vulnerable created by staying at home situations, for example: Positive EU impact on more together for a long time, stress child-centred legislation at Many families are dealing with about possible job losses or • UNICEF the Netherlands9 national level: reduced incomes, whether from job contamination could potentially  losses or pay cuts, and are under increase cases of child abuse7. • Save the Children Netherlands10 significant financial pressure. However, Safe at Home and the 2020 Country-Specific Mitigation measures put in place police have not seen a major Recommendations: to slow the spread of COVID-19, increase since the start of the  such as the closure of services, COVID-19 crisis in the number of significantly affected children, reports of domestic violence and Government's efforts to particularly children in vulnerable child abuse8. According to Safe provide sufficient resources situations. Children dealing with at Home, this is explained by the and services for families and domestic abuse were forced to fact that conscious of the potential children: stay at home in a heightened effect of lockdown, people were  stress environment, causing more vigilant and reported violence to increase. Data has situations more easily. The Government’s protection of shown a surge in calls to helplines Sexual Violence Centre is deeply children’s right to participate: since the outbreak6. Due to school concerned about an expected  closures and the switch to online increase in victims of sexual abuse education, children living in highly in the domestic circle. vulnerable situations fell off the radar, putting their safety and education at risk.

6 De Kindertelefoon, Wat Kinderen bezighoudt in Coronatijd Hand-out periode 16 maart t/m 12 april 2020, 24 april 2020. 7 Coronacrisis En Kinderen En Jongeren In Nederland 8 Landelijk beeld: Corona quarantaine leidt vooralsnog niet tot meer adviesvragen en meldingen bij Veilig Thuis 9 Coronacrisis En Kinderen En Jongeren In Nederland 10 Mbo-jongeren voelen zich tijdens coronacrisis vergeten 116 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

About loneliness About the financial situation Economic regulations have been put in place for companies to request “The 1.5 metre “My mother was income for their employees in order measure drives me stuck abroad, so I for families to provide for their crazy. I haven't really had to cover all costs children (among others)11. Money touched anyone in three myself.” was made available to distribute months (except for my parents laptops and secure wifi connection, - 19 years (F) but many children in vulnerable and brother). I now officially fall situations were not reached12. into the lonely boys category.” Government’s responses Implementation of emergency relief 17 years (M) funds, but young people were left The Dutch government has out13. About the lack of clarity implemented financial emergency measures to minimise the economic “The thing that impact on employers and the self- Good practice worries me the most employed but this approach lacks a is that there is simply specific focus on the consequences Augeo Foundation, Stichting no clarity. We never received for children. For example, there has Kinderpostzegels and Stichting any real information from been no calculation of how many of Het Vergeten Kind have joined the nearly 1.9 million households forces and set up a special crisis our school. And if anything with children have been financially fund to help children in vulnerable was said then it was actually affected by the crisis. situations during this difficult period. something we already knew.” - This extra effort has been made 21 years (F) Furthermore, as mentioned above, by a lot of NGOs (like distributing poverty will increase if no extra laptops by Stichting Leergeld etc.) efforts are being made and the Several organisations such as Child situation for children in vulnerable Ombudsman and Save the Children situations will regress. have talked to children and also shed light of the importance of their position within the crisis14.

11 Algemene informatie over NOW3 (vanaf oktober 2020) 12 Zorgen om toename van huiselijk geweld door coronastress. 'Kijk niet weg, ga in gesprek' 13 Scholen verliezen contact met duizenden kwetsbare leerlingen 14 Kinderombudsvrouw Margrite Kalverboer maakt zich zorgen om kwetsbare kinderen in coronacrisis, Mbo-jongeren voelen zich tijdens coronacrisis vergeten Country profiles - Netherlands | 117

Policies for Investing in Children

of uniform national policy standards, before the corona crisis, it turned the COVID-19 crisis21. Research by National strategy to there are large differences between out that more than 40% of children Armoedefonds shows that 90.1% tackle child poverty municipalities. For example, not all in poverty have working parents. of the anti-poverty organisations municipalities make use of children's This percentage is expected to expect an increase in demand for participation in shaping policies17. increase with the current pandemic assistance in the coming months, To combat child poverty, in 2019 the Children from vulnerable groups and expected economic recession. and not all organisations have the Dutch government has formulated in particular are not sufficiently In addition, this strategy does financial capacity to assist. It is "four child poverty ambitions15". involved18. In addition, it appears that take into account the right of the clear, therefore, that the current Where the central government is private child aid organisations often child to an adequate standard of poverty policy is going to fall far primarily responsible for ensuring have to provide additional help to living. It can be concluded that the short of reaching the rising number sufficient income, municipalities the municipal offer. Dutch government does not fulfil of children in poverty - especially are responsible for implementing its responsibility in providing an children in long-term poverty. poverty policy and facilitating Regarding ambition 2 “reduce adequate standard of living (Article participation of citizens in society. the number of children living in 27 of the United Nations Convention Many initiatives have been set up poverty”: last April the government on the Rights of the Child - UNCRC), by organisations or individuals With regard to ambition 1 formulated a target for halving the which is already limited by the to help people in poverty such as “Participation” of the above number of children growing up government of the Dutch reservation online donations, a crisis fund for mentioned four child poverty in poverty: from 9.2% in 2015 to to Article 26 of the UNCRC. children in vulnerable situations, ambitions: municipalities are 4.6% in 203019. The government's and an appeal from the National insufficiently committed to an commitment to this goal: to promote Recent research by the Netherlands Poverty Coalition. This fund was integrated child-oriented poverty work and more hours of work for Institute for Social Research (SCP) available until the 26 June 2020. At policy that improves the lives of parents, appears insufficient as shows that if the current government the time of writing, almost 35.000 children in all areas and, for example, research shows that increasing policy is continued, poverty will requests had been made. also tackles the stress in families as the earning capacity for working increase by 25% in the coming a result of poverty16. Due to the lack parents is not always feasible20. Even years, irrespective of the effects of

15 Kamerstukken I, 2018-2019, 35 000 XV, nr. D 16 Alle kinderen kansrijk. Het verbeteren van de ontwikkelingskansen van kinderen in armoede. 17 Kansen voor kinderen: een postcodetombola? 18 The Right of Children to Participate in Public Decision-Making Processes 19 Brief aan de Eerste Kamer: Nadere uitwerking ambities kinderarmoede 20 Sam& (2020), 'Altijd op een richeltje lopen': Verslag onderzoek werkende ouders onder de armoedegrens, Rotterdam. 21 CPB en SCP (2020), Kansrijk armoedebeleid, Den Haag. 118 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Views on the Semester Access to financial Children’s participation process resources in the family Albeit the increasing attention on this topic, Children’s right to The EU has not been able to push The Dutch benefits system is participate is not structurally the government to think beyond the intended to guarantee sufficient embedded in the Netherlands and conviction that "work is the best way income. The benefits system plays a its government way of working. out of poverty". crucial role in the security of the life According to the Ombudsman for of many households and families, Children, children’s participation is It should not always be emphasised but it is opaque, complex, and insufficient, especially for children that the Netherlands is doing so inaccessible. Families run the risk from vulnerable groups24. There well compared to other European of reimbursement in the event of are several barriers, including countries. The Netherlands is a a (minimal) rise in income and / or insufficient financial resources at champion in reducing poverty do not dare to use the schemes23. national and local level. among the elderly through social Furthermore, social assistance schemes - better than France, and subsistence level are too low, To ensure children’s rights to Luxembourg and Germany, the Dutch reservation on Article participate, Member States according to a recent study by the 26 UNCRC preclude children from should follow specific guidelines Dutch planning agencies. But when claiming social security themselves. to structurally embed children’s it comes to alleviating poverty Therefore, a renewal of the entire participation at a local and national among children, the Netherlands is benefits system should be made a level. Member States should also doing worse than all those countries. priority of the cabinet. promote the implementation of the It is striking that a country like UK Child Participation Assessment tool scores much better.22 developed by the Council of Europe.

22 The Dutch planning agencies base this conclusion on international comparative research into poverty policy in 49 countries (carried out since 1967), conducted by the Department of Empirical Analysis of Social and Tax Regulations at Leiden University. 23 IBO (2020), Toeslagen deelonderzoek 2. Eenvoud of maatwerk: Alternatieven voor het bestaande toeslagenstelsel. 24 The Right of Children to Participate in Public Decision-Making Processes Country profiles - Netherlands | 119

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

The Parool (a national newspaper) Child protection service Impact of the COVID-19 published a blog on 27 June 2020 about crisis a young girl, 17 years old, diagnosed with Following the coronavirus outbreak, autism. Her behavioural problems were measures have been put in place to so severe that she was placed in a care institution: avoid the closure of child protection Contact with parents and services. However, at the start of “One day she called, "Daddy, you have to get me family members the COVID-19 outbreak, face-to-face or I'll cut my wrists." He raced to the institution. contacts were often converted into Children and young people who are Four care workers sat in a room to talk about Jade. video meetings. Without interacting placed in a care institution have the Nobody was with the girl. Until he went to her directly with family members, social right to maintain contact with their room himself. It looked like she was frozen. Her workers risk missing signals and parents and other family members. father recognised the image. It was only after a few have difficulties reaching some During the lockdown, visiting hours seconds that he saw the belt around her neck. Care young people. There is also the were prohibited or limited. The workers later reported hearing that furniture was ‘Kindertelefoon’, the Dutch Child effects of limited contact with family being moved. They were not alarmed. Jade is not Helpline, but for some children, on children in vulnerable situations included in the National Institute for Health and the online assistance can be a barrier are immense. This also applies to Environment (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid because children feel less familiar youth mental health care and care en Milieu – RIVM) figures for coronavirus victims. with this or because they are not for children with an intellectual able to speak freely at home27. In But Jade is also a victim of corona.”26 disability, JeugdzorgPlus, and addition, there is an increase in judicial youth institutions, according the need for drastic interventions, to the Netherlands Youth Institute.25 for example, if parents refuse any A large number of children do not form of contact. Home visits still develop well in an environment that take place for exceptional cases, does not replicate family-based but the distance that has to be living conditions. kept makes it feel more detached. The Council of Child Protection indicates that their research is

25 Tips voor professionals in de residentiële jeugdhulp 26 Jade wordt niet meegeteld in RIVM-cijfers. Ze werd 17 27 De Kindertelefoon, Wat Kinderen bezighoudt in Coronatijd Hand 120 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester mainly done via (video) calling are increasing.31 The treatment and are now approaching existing foster in vulnerable situations towards unless that is not possible28. Recent guidance of children within youth parents to ask whether they would independence. report29 covers the living situation care, youth mental health care, and be prepared to take in extra children and quality of life of parents within children with a disability was due to temporarily. "The NVP is concerned Family-based care the youth care system. According start again on 1 June 2020. that the fewer foster homes there to the report impact of COVID-19 are, the greater the chances of a There has been a great shortage can lead to a greater demand for Foster families and children less good match and premature of foster care families for years. In youth care as the problems within termination of the placement”.32 2018, out of 542 foster parents multi-use households worsen and The Dutch Foster Families surveyed, 52% quitted because of the number of multi-use households Association (NVP) has raised the Care leavers undesirable circumstances such as may also increase. Some problems alarm about the rising tensions problems with the care system35. A can arise in the short term, other in many foster families that are In view of the research carried out Foster Care Action Plan has been problems in the longer term. There suffering from the COVID-19 crisis. by JSO (expertise centre for youth, started by the national government, is recommendation to municipalities Tensions are mounting, among other society and development), young which focuses, among other things, that multi-use families need special things, because children cannot see people leaving care are insufficiently on continuity and promoting the attention to minimize the impact of their family members due to home prepared for an independent life33. expertise of foster parents. This is the crisis on family life. quarantine and supportive care has The number of homeless youth still ongoing. In 2019 there were been temporarily suspended. Those has also increased enormously to 145 international adoptions. The Special care and support for tensions could ultimately damage 12,700 in the 18 to 30 age group34. total number of national adoptions is children with disabilities the relationship between the child Research has shown that this also unknown. and the foster parents. concerns young people who can Special care and support for no longer count on child protection children with disabilities have been Foster care is further under pressure schemes after reaching 18. The Children in migration discontinued.30 In addition, access to due to the increase in the number extension of (the right to) foster care is more difficult and treatments of urgent out-of-home placements care/family home up to 21-years-old Unaccompanied minors are being delayed. There are also and the growing need for acute is a positive development as it offers concerns that waiting lists in youth foster care. A survey among foster the option of guiding young people In 2019, 1,045 unaccompanied care and youth mental healthcare care organisations shows that they minors came to the Netherlands.

28 RvdK werkt door tijdens periode met coronavirus 29 Leefsituatie van ouders met kinderen in de jeugdzorg 30 Gehandicapte kinderen in de knel door corona. ‘Wij worden behoorlijk vergeten’ 31 Cliënten en ggz op zoek naar nieuw evenwicht 32 Pleegouders slaan alarm over thuissituatie 33 Leren van herhaald beroep in de JeugdzorgPlus 34 Raad Volksgezondheid en Samenleving 35 Waarom stoppen pleegouders? Onderzoek naar omstandigheden, begeleiding en hoe pleegouders behouden kunnen worden Country profiles - Netherlands | 121

In 2019 there was a total of 3,072 Nidos is responsible for the care guardianships and 255 supervision and supervision of unaccompanied orders (ondertoezichtstelling).36 minors until the age of 14 with or without a residence permit. COA During COVID-19, newcomers had is responsible for unaccompanied no access to the regular Central minors aged 15 and older without Organ for Asylum-seekers (COA) a residence permit and provides reception. However, an emergency care for this group at the Process shelter was set up at the military Reception Location (POL). The base in Zoutkamp (municipality POL is located on the site of a of Hogeland), where asylum regular asylum seekers centre seekers could receive shelter and (AZC). Another important difference basic facilities. In line with the between COA and Nidos is the scale: Reception Directive, the Zoutkamp At COA, small scale means 16-20 had to provide sufficient sanitary youngsters per unit. At Nidos, small facilities, a properly functioning Wifi, scale is 4- 10 children per home. opportunities for physical exercise Reception model 2019: 23% with and access for volunteers and care COA and 61% with Nidos. workers (including the Dutch Council for Refugees ‘VluchtelingenWerk’). Defence for Children37 was concerned about whether the facilities at the Zoutkamp were suitable for unaccompanied minors because of the minimum facilities, the large dormitories and the measures restricting their freedom.

With regard to the reception of unaccompanied minors, a distinction is made between reception by the COA and reception by Nidos.

36 CBS 37 Vraag aan Staatssecretaris: Prioriteit voor kinderen bij overplaatsing uit Zoutkamp en goed afstandsonderwijs op azc’s Alternative Poland Country Specific Recommendation Country Profile on the European for 2021 Semester and COVID-19 crisis • Poland should take action to: prepare systemic procedures from a children’s rights perspective taking into account the experience of carers including foster parents to adequately respond to crises such as the Contributor: coronavirus epidemic. There is a Polish Foster Care need for a multidisciplinary team Coalition (PFCC) of experts, including those from non-governmental organisations who will have an advisory role in 16% the overall process.

Children at risk of poverty or social • Poland urgently exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 needs a strategy on deinstitutionalisation: it is necessary to prompt the government and local authorities to develop family support services and professional family- based foster care system for children placed in alternative care. Country profiles - Poland | 123

Children in Alternative Care - CiAC Summary of Ratings Impact of the YEAR 20191 COVID-19 crisis Number of family 3,934 Number of families supported 44,324 Government's support for assistants families and children during the Number of supporting 104 Number of families supported 118 COVID-19 pandemic: To respond to the COVID-19 families  epidemic temporary changes were Number of families provided 95,980 with specialist guidance introduced to the Act on Family Positive EU impact on more Support and the Alternative Care child-centred legislation at System that included the weakening Number of institutions Number of children (2019) (2019) national level: of a regulation that the maximum Total institutional care 21,362  number of children placed in an institutional care facility is 14 as Institutional care – care & education 1,166 16,325 centres 2020 Country-Specific well as an obligation to transform Number of children 0-3 685 Recommendations: all institutions to accommodate Number of children 4-6 853  a maximum of 14 children by 1 January 2021. Moreover, restrictions Number of children with disabilities 1,748 Government's efforts to on placing children under the age of Stationary facilities (for adults 1,860 and children with developmental provide sufficient resources 10 in institutional care facilities have disabilities) and services for families and been also suspended. Institutions for children with 36 2,0912 children: disabilities 3 1,086  Neither the government nor local authorities introduced mechanisms Total number of children in family- 50,929 Government’s protection of to monitor foster families to assist based/foster care children’s right to participate: with their emerging challenges Number of children in kinship care 29,853  and needs. The greatest need Adopted children 950 was assistance to access online Unaccompanied children 1054 asylum seeking education. Although there was 24 non-asylum seeking financial support (PLN 130 million from the European Social Fund - ESF) for children placed in alternative care to reduce the 1 Maly rocznik statystyczny polski 2020, Statistical office, Warsaw 2020. 2 In institutions acting under the Act of family support and alternative care. impact of COVID-19 by purchasing 3 Number of children with disabilities in in stationary social welfare facilities (those institutions operate computers and the necessary under the Social Assistance Act of 2004) 4 http://www.asylumineurope.org/reports/country/poland/statistics software for the 2019-2020 school 124 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester year, extra personnel support to help The main challenges created by the foster family is in quarantine, difficulties in carrying out their with education was not included. the pandemic in care institutions including the procedures to replace functions; In some families there was a clear included the absence of procedures ill foster parents. Lockdown and regression in the educational and standards for implementing social isolation restrictions caused • a day-support centre that provides outcomes of children because they quarantine in the care institution, mental health problems for many different services from general to were not able to cope with all tasks overstretched staff, lack of personal children, without any accessible specialised – socio-therapeutic without external support. protective equipment (PPE) support or assistance. A lack of and therapeutic assistance; and tests, and in general a lack guidelines for contact with biological The Polish Foster Care Coalition of guidelines for contacts with families of children and access to • since 2012 there are also street (PFCC) acknowledges the biological families. As a result of COVID-19 creditable test posed work classes that carry out governmental measure enabling the COVID-19 epidemic, temporary another challenges for staff and motivating and socio-therapeutic parents to stay at home to look changes were introduced to the Act children in care. activities and provide specialists’ after their children under eight on Family Support and Alternative guidance. years of age while retaining the Care System6. Preventing the unnecessary right to remuneration, as well as entry of children in alternative The amendment to the Family a one-time PLN 1,700 allowance An additional challenge was trying care and Guardianship Code of 2016 for social services staff hired to provide online schooling where stipulates7 that placing a child in as “family assistants”5. Children IT devices such as laptops or The Act of 2011 on Family Support foster care because of poverty is not from disadvantaged families were computers were missing and there and the Alternative Care System also allowed. Placement in alternative particularly hit by the period of was no access to a quality internet stipulates support for families at risk. care is possible only after using all social isolation. They could not connection. Schools attempting Supportive measures include: available tools to support the family - take advantage of free meals at online schooling for the first time mainly via family assistant support. school and day-care centres and faced many challenges, one of them • a family assistant, who assists in they did not have sufficient IT being too much homework. improving the family life situation, According to the ministry’s survey equipment or access to a good resolving psychological and social from 2012 the main reasons why internet connection. To tackle this, The PFFC has observed there was issues and problems with bringing children enter alternative care were: the government allocated funds for a lack of protocols and procedures up children and searching for a parental addiction (39.62%); parents purchasing IT equipment for schools on COVID-19 for children placed in job; ill-equipped to care for and educate using ESF funds. family-based care, for example how their children (25.17%); one of the to proceed when foster parents • a family supporter, whose task child’s parents dies (8.52%); both are hospitalised and the rest of is to help families experiencing

5 Dodatki dla asystentów rodziny. 6 Article 15 of the Act of April 16, 2020 on specific support instruments due to SARS-CoV-2 virus. 7 Kodeks rodzinny iopiekuńczy Country profiles - Poland | 125 parents die (4.46%); and domestic Care leavers Nations Convention on the Rights of EU funds violence (3.63%). Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) The Supreme Audit Office in 201210. Thanks to the financial support Progress on child protection conducted an audit in 2015 and of the European Social Fund, and care reform elaborated a report on the quality of Children in migration online education has been made support provided for alternative care accessible to children from In February the Ministry of leavers9. The report indicates that, According to the law, disadvantaged communities and Family, Labour and Social Policy despite the standards of support unaccompanied minors seeking children in care. PLN 130 million started preparing the national stipulated in law, the process of asylum are to be placed in from the ESF was announced in July deinstitutionalisation (DI) strategy preparing care leavers is in practice institutional care facilities or 2020 for the purchase of computers to 2040. The working group ineffective. For example, the Act in a professional foster family and the necessary software to dedicated to families and children states that care leavers should be (zawodowa rodzina zastępcza). As provide support for children placed was established, in which PFFC given assistance in, among others an exception, children accompanied in alternative care to reduce the representatives participate. Its tasks, “ensuring adequate housing by a close member of a family who impact of COVID-19 and to secure work progress has been very slow. conditions”. The real situation is not officially their legal guardian, audio-visual equipment and Moreover, there are ministries looks somewhat different. Only a may be placed under their care. In personal protective equipment and that plan to elaborate a mid-term few care leavers (16%) who do not practice asylum seeking children disinfectants. ministerial programme (i.e. by go on to higher education return are rarely placed in a professional 2027), instead of having a national to their biological families. Others foster family. The asylum The Ministry of Education cross-sectoral deinstitutionalisation are offered flats that are usually proceedings have slowed down announced that from 1 April 2020 strategy. This approach could located in buildings of a very low during the pandemic, and access local governments could apply for jeopardise the promising process standard, in the neighbourhood of to asylum procedure has been money to purchase equipment aimed at the development of a DI families similar to their families of significantly restricted (very few new for online schooling for students strategy. Similarly, the development origin (facing multiple problems). applications). Specifically, the latter and teachers. PLN 180 million was of family-based foster care has not Unfortunately, most care leavers may have influenced the situation of allocated from the Operational progressed, indeed the opposite has with disabilities remain in children who were not able to ask for Programme Digital Poland.11 happened as the number of foster institutional care in stationary social asylum, e.g. at the Polish-Belarussian care families has been decreasing8. welfare facilities (called Domy border, but no data as to the extent Pomocy Spolecznej) despite the of the phenomenon is available. fact that Poland ratified the United

8 In 2018, the number of family foster care entities decreased by 1.7% compared to 2017. Data from: Information of the Council of Ministers on the implementation in 2018 of the Act of Family Support and Alternative Care System, Informacja Rady Ministrów o realizacji w roku 2018 ustawy z dnia 9 czerwca 2011 r. o wspieraniu rodziny i systemie pieczy zastępczej . 9 Pomoc w usamodzielnianiu się pełnoletnich wychowanków pieczy zastępczej 10 Moreover, the Act of 4 November 2016 on the support of pregnant women and families "For life", obliges local governments or non-governmental organisations support providing supervised housing. 11 Od 1 kwietnia samorządy mogą wystąpić o pieniądze na komputery dla uczniów i nauczycieli 126 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Testimonies of foster parents Testimony 2 - a foster mother, 17 years of experience in running a professional foster family. Testimony 1 - a foster mother with 12 years of experience in running a professional foster family I am in touch with two young care leavers. One young woman managed When I think about the time of social isolation caused by financially, even though the hair salon COVID-19, I first think about the challenges of online education. where she worked has been closed. Unfortunately, In my foster family we have eight children, four of whom attend she missed a semester in extramural high school special schools (due to special educational needs). The children are at because online classes were too difficult for her. different stages of education. One child benefits from early supportive She did not know how to deal with the different therapy for child development. Teachers approached online education in demands of teachers. Teachers used different different ways. Some teachers sent materials needed for education via tools for remote work, which was an additional e-mail, others used different electronic tools. It was very difficult for the difficulty. Various forms of contact and methods children to switch to a remote working mode. During online education, of material evaluation are presented. First of I became my children's teacher. I started work at 8.00 a.m. translating all, this young person did not have access to a maths, geography and other subjects. Most of my children need help. computer or laptop. She was using a smartphone. One challenge, for example, was English, which I do not know, so I had to However, a smartphone is not the same as a laptop look for online tutoring. I also take care of a gifted child who is studying or computer with a good internet connection. at a ballet school. This type of education requires constant exercise, with Unfortunately, she hadn't told anyone she was the child working on her body every day, but suddenly the exercises are having hardware issues, and when that came out missing, it is a huge waste. it was too late to catch up, even though she had If you multiply the number of children times the number of their teachers, made an attempt. add imperfect devices (laptop and computers) and the poor quality of The other care leaver is a young adult man who the internet connection, I have no idea how we managed. Sometimes I lives in a semi-independent apartment but has had felt as if I was looking after a class of 50 children. financial problems due to a lack of work. Before Everyday life was very difficult. We had to keep the household, teach the pandemic, he worked in a gym. The gym was children at home, and moreover, we saw the consequences of children closed and he had more time, so he successfully not being able to benefit from the therapy they had already started. The completed the semester in extramural high school. big question mark would be if one of us fell ill, we initially talked about He had hardware issues too, but he let me know our adult children replacing us. But a solution offered by social services quickly and we were able to help. is still missing. Portugal Country Profile on the European Semester and COVID-19 crisis from a children’s rights perspective

Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC Fundação Nossa Senhora Total Number of children number of (2019) do Bom Sucesso; Sérgio institutions Araújo (Independent (2019) Institutional According to the researcher and professor at care (in total) CASA report 2018: the School of Education of 8,557 (4,319 the Polytechnic of Porto) boys | 4,238 Girls) Institutions for children with disabilities

Institutions for According to the children 0-3 CASA report 2018:

22.3 % 408 boys + 382 girls = 790 total Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 128 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Alternative Supporting children and families exclude groups of children in the Summary of Ratings Recommendations in the context of COVID-19 in the most vulnerable situation. long term: Government's support for Supporting children and • The government should prioritise families and children during families in the context of • The government should take the participation of young people the COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 in the short term: action to reduce inequalities in in the shaping of the use of  access to healthcare, by improving new EU funding period and the • The government should provide the timely access to high quality Portuguese post-COVID policies Positive EU impact on more affordable and timely access to health services for all, with special and funds. child-centred legislation at mental health services for all, with attention to children. One way national level: special attention to infant mental to achieve this is to subsidise Children in Alternative Care  health. private and third sector healthcare (CiAC): providers that complement the 2020 Country-Specific • The government should provide national health service (Serviço • In the event of a pandemic the Recommendations: adequate financial support to Nacional de Saúde - SNS) to government should issue specific  families in vulnerable situations. satisfy unmet healthcare needs. guidelines for children and young people in institutional care to • The government should provide • Portuguese families need differentiate them from the internet access and computers adequate financial support, as the elderly population. to those families who still do not current social transfers are known have it in order to ensure that to be not very effective in tackling • The government should launch every child will be able to attend poverty and social exclusion. the programmes to promote and home schooling. develop family-based care as the • The government should put best solution for children without • The government should listen to children at the heart of all its parental care by accelerating children’s views and suggestions. policies. implementation of the legal procedures that will put in place • The government should tackle the • The government should work the new law concerning foster impact of this crisis on accessing on housing opportunities for families. housing. vulnerable families. • The government should put an • The government should promote end to the institutionalisation of health guidelines that do not babies between 0-3 years old. Country profiles - Portugal | 129

Child Poverty

sufficient educational background.1 health and educational support; The government also adopted Impact of the COVID-19 And this might happen again if the insufficient physical activity and the programme Programa de crisis schools will not be able to keep playing opportunities; higher risk of Estabilização Económica e Social open. abuse at home and online, as well (PEES - Economic and Social as higher exposure to domestic Stabilisation Programme)4 which Negative developments Access to healthcare became more violence; inadequate follow-up of launched two new measures to difficult as the SNS and the private children in vulnerable situations or at support families: a stabilisation There are no proposed or health sector stopped all non-urgent risk, as the child protection system supplement and an extraordinary implemented measures related appointments (including follow is designed to work in an in-person family allowance. These social to the long-term effects of the up appointments, screenings and model, and gaps in the identification support payments aim to COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous ongoing therapies) and surgeries. of new cases of vulnerability. compensate those who lost part of families have had to face a severe The country also witnessed an their salary in the last few months reduction in their income. increase in mental health problems, Government measures due to the pandemic. like depression and anxiety. During the schools lockdown The Portuguese government Complemento de Estabilização there were several negative According to UNICEF Portugal,2 the promoted support for families after (Stabilisation supplement): is a developments: children were main issues concerning children the schools closed, establishing that financial support for workers who deprived of social contacts with are: inequalities accessing home workers who need to leave work for were laid off between April and their peers; parents had to balance schooling due to the lack of available urgent assistance to children under June 2020. This support is a one-off working from home with managing means (computer or internet) and 12 or with special needs, resulting measure which aims to compensate online school activities for their of parenting support; increased food from the closure of a school, early the loss of wages in relation to a children; many children had no insecurity due to the families’ loss childhood support or disability, are month of layoff. Regrettably, only means to follow online activities, of income and to the difficulties in entitled to exceptional support for workers who earned less than as they did not have access to assuring access to school meals for the family. To access this support, €1,270 per month are entitled to this computers and/or the internet; every child in a vulnerable situation; the worker must submit a statement stabilisation supplement. Payments parents can face serious difficulties more difficult access to basic to his/her employer, who is vary between €100 and €351. in helping their children with school goods and services; children with responsible for applying for support activities as they might not have a special needs without adequate from Social Security.3

1 According to the OECD, in 2018, 50.2% of the Portuguese population aged 25-64 years old had less than upper secondary education 2 UNICEF Portugal: Coronavirus 3 Encerramento das escolas – apoio às famílias 4 Programa de Estabilização Económica e Social 130 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Abono de Família Extraordinário – the Examples of good practice Concrete examples of challenges in supporting extraordinary family allowance was families and children approved by the government to support • In March 2020, Fundação Nossa Portuguese families as a complementary Senhora do Bom Sucesso set up a free Portugal witnessed a worrying increase in benefit to the family allowance, which will mental health helpline and managed infant mental health problems. Fundação start to be paid in September by Social to maintain remote child psychology, Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso shared Security. It covers families with children psychiatry and speech therapies, the cases of three children, aged 6, 9 and 11, from and young people up to the age of 16, among others, for our users/clients. different families and social backgrounds. Before who fall into the first, second or third the lockdown, all of them did well in school and income bracket. This exceptional support • Due to COVID-19, many health services were well-behaved. With the beginning of the should cover 974,000 Portuguese were put on hold, so Fundação Maria children and young people.5 Ulrich released a series of videos lockdown, they started to have sleep problems, to help families to maintain the nightmares, and became increasingly aggressive. The main criticism of these measures psychomotricity stimulation of children As time went by, they started to have aggressive concerns the fact that the financial from six to 36 months old. behaviours towards their siblings and parents. All supplements are inadequate, the of them refused to learn from home when online or administrative procedures to follow when • Food Bank Portugal had to support TV schooling started. The child aged 11 became applying for it are burdensome, and the families that have not been in a addicted to YouTube and started to watch violent time delay before receiving the subsidy is vulnerable situation before - like arts videos more and more often. Family members and quite long. professionals, freelancers, etc. - as the teachers stated that they “did not know that child pandemic left them without any kind anymore”. The nine-year-old developed regressive With the return to school, children and of work and, consequently, without behaviour: she/he could not sleep alone anymore young people who come into contact an income. Similarly, the Fund for and started sleeping with his/her youngest with colleagues infected with COVID-19 European Aid to the Most Deprived may have to be in preventive isolation; (FEAD) together with local campaigns sister; when contradicted, she/he answers with and in such cases, parents can justifiably in Portuguese supermarkets and local animal-like behaviours; she/he does not want to miss work without being penalised churches provided food and basic wash her/himself or get dressed; she/he became through their income. supplies for the most deprived. addicted to videogames. The child aged six wanted to sleep with her/his parents. She/he • Many civil society organisations became progressively more violent towards her/his maintained their support to families mother and showed less and less regret for these through digital means. behaviours.

5 Covid-19: conheça as novas medidas de apoio às famílias Country profiles - Portugal | 131

Policies for Investing in Children

A national strategy to tackle child • Acknowledge that Early Childhood National strategy to poverty is urgently needed, as 22% EU influence on national Education and Care cannot tackle child poverty of Portuguese children are at risk of developments be seen merely as a means to poverty or social exclusion and civil allow parents to work, but as society organisations are worried a multinational concept that Portugal does not have a national that this rate will rise with the impact The EU has insufficiently influenced includes a professional response strategy to tackle child poverty. of COVID-19. Furthermore, the the government to implement to the specific needs of the However, the Portuguese country still has an in-work poverty child-centred legislation. To be more children under their responsibility; Government just created a rate of almost 10%. efficient in pressuring European parenting support and financial Committee to present a proposal for governments towards child-centred support to families. a National Strategy against Poverty Despite all the evidence and legislation implementation the EU until de end of this year6, which can recommendations about the needs to: • Acknowledge that the be a crucial opportunity to put child deinstitutionalisation of children, establishment of personal poverty on the national political almost nothing has been done • Acknowledge that health – safe bonds is crucial in child agenda. in our country. There are around understood as a state of complete development. This is one of the 7,000 children in alternative care in physical, mental, and social well- reasons why children should not Breaking intergenerational cycles Portugal and only 3% of them are in being and not merely the absence be in centre-based alternative care of poverty takes time. In Portugal family-centred arrangements. of disease or infirmity - is the base arrangements. public policies are interlinked with of our well-being. electoral cycles, so policy makers are Children don’t seem to be a priority • Acknowledge that investing in the more concerned with what they can in Portugal. There is very little • Acknowledge that the first three first years of life is the best way to achieve in the four years they have child-centred legislation. Policies years of life are crucial in our build a healthier and sustainable in government than in setting up that affect children, like for instance personal development. Indeed, society as childhood investments long term strategies. Child poverty early childhood education and care 80% of the human brain develops have great return potential for is a multi-dimensional and complex (ECEC), are mainly put in place to during these first years. This both individuals and society. social problem, so tackling it allow parents to go to work, and implies that there is a unique requires inter-sectoral collaborative not because they can have positive opportunity to intervene early in The 2020 Country Specific approaches. Due to the Portuguese effects on child development. the life of a person to promote the Recommendation (CSR) was “working in silos” culture, however, development of cognitive, social, disappointingly focused only on this is very hard to put in place. and emotional skills. economic recovery and did not

6 Despacho n.º 10227/2020, de 2020-10-26 132 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester mention children. It was outrageous In 2016, the Portuguese CSR system: for a hospital consultation to read that the need to have highlighted the need to ensure with a specialist, children wait better support for families, increase the long-term sustainability of the months, or even years. ECEC coverage and promote health system, referring to the need better policies of work-personal life to improve the measures aimed at Additionally, children with special balance was based on the need to promoting disease prevention and needs don’t always have access to increase the fertility rate, and not on primary healthcare provision in the the early intervention they need, as supporting child development and early stages. While the situation has the as the National Early Intervention well-being. not changed since 2016, the latest on Childhood System (Sistema version of the CSR does not mention Nacional de Intervenção Precoce na Social policy issues - like education this utmost necessity. Infância) has no means to answer to or health - seem to be understood all the children in need of it. uniquely as tools for economic Access to financial resources growth rather than means to and services of high quality This lack of access to health has societies’ sustainability (health and serious consequences both in education are the two main factors One of the main concerns is the school and in health throughout the to break intergenerational cycles of access of children to quality health lives of Portuguese citizens. Portugal poverty and social exclusion!). care. The country has one of the urgently needs to understand highest households’ out-of-pocket that investing in high quality and There are no specific references payments for healthcare of the entire timely healthcare leads to a higher to children, child health or child European Union – around 28%. well-being, educational success, poverty, even if children are one and better social inclusion. In the of the most vulnerable groups It is true that the national health long run, this would entail having of the Portuguese population. system is open to everyone healthier citizens, with better quality Although most of the children in who needs healthcare and that of life; higher employability; higher out-of-home alternative care are in Portugal there is a system of work capacity; higher productivity; institutionalised - only around 3% exemptions concerning the national lower labour absenteeism; and so were in family-based care – and this health system for every child (from on. can have severe consequences on birth to 18 years old). However, child health and well-being, the CSR the sum of these two factors is does not mention the importance not tantamount to a real access to of promoting the transition from quality and timely health care for institutional to family-based care. every child. And this is due to the organisation of the national health Country profiles - Portugal | 133

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

rule was unconstitutional and The State now provides between of digital skills to combat school Impact of the COVID-19 undermines the rights of the child. €522.91 and €691.55 per child, drop-out and promote youth crisis when the previous minimum amount employability.7 However positive, Preventing the unnecessary was around €330. The precise these projects are in place only in entry of children in alternative amount of the support is assessed some Portuguese regions and are The government did not support care according to the age of the children not reaching all the national territory. institutions that take care of children; and also considering conditions of For example, albeit recording the it just increased the number of The gatekeeping mechanisms for vulnerability such as disability. highest number of children in monitoring calls to guarantee that the support of vulnerable families alternative care of the country,8 the sanitary conditions were fulfilled. are the same for all kinds of Unfortunately, the implementation Lisbon Region is not included in families. According to civil society of this new regime is delayed by the the Inovação Social Program. The According to the rules of the organisations working in institutional practical difficulties arising from the proposed Child Guarantee could Directorate General of Health, issued care, there is no extra financial pandemic and a national debate on help to change this paradigm by at the end of July, a child who has support for their organisations, just institutional care. focusing on the childhood segment just been removed from his/her more pressure from the Ministry of despite the region of provenance. family and placed in alternative care Social Affairs to follow the health EU funds must enter the institution alone guidelines. and cannot be accompanied by a In 2017 more than €11 million were reference figure, not even by the Progress on child protection invested within the scope of Portugal case manager / team (the host reforms Inovação Social Program (Portugal meeting must be done by phone Social Innovation programme) in or email). The child must do the Important changes to the foster 38 innovative projects aimed at COVID-19 test and even with a families’ regime came into force combating social problems, such as negative result, it is compulsory to in January 2020. The government unemployment, social exclusion or isolate a child for 14 days. This rule measures ensured more rights and food waste. With regard to children, was suspended with the start of the support for the foster families, which ECO media reports that these school year. A complaint was made are now equivalent to those for other projects included the monitoring of by civil society to the Ombudsman families in terms of labour law and children’s health, a new methodology (Provedoria de Justiça) that this social benefits. to tackle autism, the promotion

7 Fundos comunitários também ajudam a cumprir sonhos de crianças doentes 8 Casa Report 2018 Alternative • Increase access to social Country Specific housing. This should include Recommendations for increasing the number of Romania 2021 available social housing, but also simplifying the procedures for • Support further people in vulnerable situations. Country Profile on the European deinstitutionalisation (DI) of It is particularly important to pay Semester and COVID-19 crisis children in care: All institutions attention to care leavers. for children should be eligible from a children’s rights perspective for closure and DI should be • Develop accessible supported through a wide range infrastructure and transport: of services and actions, such For children with disabilities as prevention, reintegration and their families, it is essential Contributor: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC of children in their families, to ensure the accessibility of Hope and Homes for Total number Number of developing family-based care, buildings, accessible transport, of institutions/ children developing integrated networks and community-based services. Children (HHC) Romania SGHs of community-based care Institutional care 170 5,206 services, and support for young • Increase access to primary (in total) in 2019 care-leavers. health services and prevention Institutions for 74 2,401 at community level for groups children with disabilities • Provide access to non- in vulnerable situations. Health Institutions for N/A N/A segregated and inclusive and access to health services is children 0-3 education, including digital especially important for groups Small group 696 6,892 learning, for all children: in vulnerable situations from 35.8 % homes (SGHs) in 2019 Support children to attend non- disadvantaged communities. segregated and inclusive schools There should be a clear Children at risk of poverty or social Number of 34,562 children in family- and achieve better educational separation between health- exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 based/foster care in 2019 outcomes, as a prerequisite related infrastructure investments Number of 16,519 for better professional careers and investment related to social children in kinship and successful integration in services for groups in extremely care their communities. This can be vulnerable situations and Number of 1,251 adoptions done through specific support those at risk of social exclusion in particular. Otherwise, the Number of N/A measures such as books, unaccompanied transportation, and other school investments in health-related minors in 2019 supplies’ provision. infrastructure could absorb most of the funds available. Country profiles - Romania | 135

Summary of Ratings Impact of the COVID-19 crisis

Government's support for The first restrictive measure It is estimated that out of There were three main challenges families and children during the imposed by the government approximately 3 million children for children living in institutions: COVID-19 pandemic: in Romania was to close down attending school, 32% do not  schools in March 2020. They have access to any kind of online • The confinement, which was even remained closed until June 2020, education. This means that over 1 more difficult in the institutional Positive EU impact on more with only a few exceptions1. This million children could have a gap of environment. The fact that the child-centred legislation at unprecedented situation and the half a year of education, due to the children were not allowed to leave national level: launching of online education has fact that they did not attend online the institutions, not even for their  posed several challenges such as classes between March-June 2020.2 daily routine outside (going to making online education accessible school, going out and meeting 2020 Country-Specific to all children, especially those at risk A phone line was launched for the friends, going for walks etc.) had Recommendations: or in poverty and preparing for the children and adults who needed a negative impact on them and  implementation of a mix of online information on COVID-19 (by the their reaction was often frustration and face-to-face education starting government) and another one was which translated in higher Government's efforts to from September. launched by a charity in Baia Mare predisposition for aggressive or provide sufficient resources and the Ministry of Labour (as part self-harming behaviour. and services for families and The Ministry of Education decided of an EU-funded project). There is children: to provide all children in need with no data, for now, on how successful • The ban on visits meant the  basic technological equipment and these initiatives were. absence of face-to-face contact access to the internet. However, between children and their Government’s protection of neither the Ministry nor the School Regarding the children in care, a biological parents, relatives or children’s right to participate: Inspectorates (at county levels) have quarantine was placed on all state- friends and had a detrimental  proper information on which children managed services in terms of visits effect on the children and their need this support. Regarding the and the staff needed to spend two mental health. second measure, the legislative weeks in isolation before being in process has introduced a mix of touch with the children at work.3 • As schools closed, the children online and face-to-face education. The quarantine and ban on visiting in institutions were supposed The support of the government was has not been lifted yet, only the to start online education. thus rather limited. measures for the staff were lifted. Most did not have access to

1 These exceptions included children in the 8th and 12th forms, for two weeks, starting from 2 June 2020, in order to help them prepare for their final exams. 2 IRES: 32% dintre elevi nu au acces la echipament electronic. Doar jumătate dintre copii au avut contact cu profesorii la toate materiile 3 Noi măsuri de protecție socială, aprobate de Guvern 136 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

computers/laptops or tablets The challenges for children in foster Preventing the this support has reached their in order to pursue online families were mainly linked to their unnecessary entry of beneficiaries and how efficient it was. education. The situation was mental-health. The children and children in alternative even worse for children who their foster carers struggled with the care need special education with prolonged confinement and from Progress on child one-to-one tutorials. Overall, the not being able to see their friends or protection and care continuation of education was not to go out. There was potentially an Almost 35.8% of Romania’s children reform ensured, which was also due to additional problem if one member are at risk of social exclusion and overstretched and/or incompetent of the foster family became infected, poverty and with 1 million work staff. there were no protocols to address contracts terminated or on hold The crisis delayed the reforms and resolve it. However, as far as during the pandemic4, HHC Romania in the area of child protection as Lack of PPE and other hygiene HHC Romania is aware, no such assumes that the number of children the Ministry of Labour focused materials was a general problem. cases have so far occurred. entering alternative care will grow in more on the relief measures for Only a limited number of institutions the upcoming months. As observed the COVID-19 crisis and not so managed to secure these materials National civil society organisations before there are two main triggers much on the DI process. A new law which according to Hope and have recorded a reduction in funding for the institutionalisation of children: 272 - regulating child protection in Homes for Children (HHC) Romania sources, due to the fact that many poverty and a lack of alternative Romania was adopted in June 2020. posed a real threat to the health of businesses and donors experienced services (as well as prevention HHC notes that while this does not the children and the staff. a decline in their operations. At the networks).5 specifically help to accelerate the same time NGOs were requested deinstitutionalisation process, it has Small Group Homes (SGH) were to provide more services or in a There have been certain measures provisions regarding children in care, subjected to the same restrictions different way that required more taken, but no special gatekeeping and in particular young care-leavers as the larger institutions in terms of finances. mechanisms were set up. The who have reached the age when visits, staff quarantine and lockdown. local authorities maintained their they must move from care into Similarly, they suffered the same lack gatekeeping role, but unfortunately, independent living. of cleaning and hygiene materials, as the needs became greater and however, as there are only 10-12 more diverse, the support was Care leavers children in these homes, the staff/ not adequate. Food and hygiene children ratio is better and the packages, while a good initiative, HHC Romania observed that the children’s needs were better met were not sufficient and there is situation of care leavers became by the staff including attending an no official data regarding whether very difficult during the pandemic online education. and there were no special services to

4 Situația contractelor individuale de muncă suspendate/încetate, la data de 28 mai 2020 5 Studiu de fundamentare pentru Strategia naţională privind incluziunea socială şi reducerea sărăciei 2015-2020 Country profiles - Romania | 137 support them. First, those who were on availability, but institutional Romania and the European There was also an ESF call for about to leave state care remained settings are mostly the norm. Commission to the implementation proposals to consolidate the foster in care due to the pandemic and of DI reform. It led to a specific network. This was particularly confinement. For some it was EU funds allocation from the European important because the foster care an undesired prolongation of Regional Development Fund (ERDF) networks are facing a number of dependence. Others who could leave During the pandemic, the and the European Social Fund challenges: the current foster carers struggled to find accommodation as government diverted EU funds – (ESF) for de-institutionalisation are handing in their certifications due to the stigma nobody wanted to with the approval of the European in the corresponding operational for several reasons, including the rent places to young care leavers. Commission – to support persons programmes, namely the Regional fact that they have better jobs or in vulnerable situations (not only Operational Programme (ROP) and have reached retirement age. Most Moreover, many care leavers lost children, but also adults) in order to the Human Capital Operational recently, in November 2019, an ESF their jobs, finding themselves with no provide them with hygiene supplies, Programme (HCOP). call under the HCOP was launched: financial resources and even when disinfectants and other materials. “My First Room” – innovative tools the state secured the unemployment More than 1.2 million people were For instance, from 2016-2018, the for the social and professional allowance, until the money came, targeted for this type of support project “The elaboration of the reintegration of young care-leavers. they were left with no financial and the total amount spent was plan to de-institutionalise children resources at all. RON 141.2 million. Another batch from institutions and to ensure In the context of the COVID-19 of supplies in the form of food their transition to community care” pandemic HHC Romania suggests a Children in migration packages was provided in April 2020 (SIPOCA 2) was implemented. It greater flexibility in funds allocation which amounted to a total of RON 1 was followed up by the call for ROP is needed, especially the re-directing There were 2,140 asylum requests billion.6 OS 8.3 – social services, children in of funds in case of need. In this way, received in 2018 in Romania, but vulnerable situations. Moreover, a vulnerable families and children will it does not indicate how many of A significant amount of EU funds number of ESF calls were launched benefit more from these projects, them were for children. The main has been allocated for families in in 2018 to address the development allowing them to overcome risk reception places for unaccompanied vulnerable situations and children of social and socio-professional and crisis situations. Furthermore, and separated migrant children are in care in the 2014-2020 period. services at community level for future investments, both through the services of the child protection The specific prioritisation of de- children and young people and the national budget and EU funds system in Romania. The alternative institutionalisation (DI) in the reduce the number of children and (REACT-EU, and the 2021-2027 services (SGHs) are used, depending Partnership Agreement7 constituted young people placed in institutions Multiannual Financial Framework a great commitment from both by consolidating the foster network. - MFF) should be used to8 fulfil

6 1,18 milioane de români primesc pachete de igienă distribuite de Ministerul Fondurilor Europene 7 Partnership Agreement Romania 2014RO16M8PA001.1.2, page 52 8 See also the European Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based care with Hope and Homes for Children (2019) - Checklist to ensure EU-funded measures contribute to independent living by developing and ensuring access to family-based and community-based services 138 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

“This so-called social One of the young adults who had the alternative country specific recommendations proposed by HHC distancing brought us left the institution and was made Romania. closer, I learnt how to redundant when the pandemic appeared appreciate my colleagues and became so desperate that he asked to be re- Testimonies how to listen to them. I became institutionalised, as he had basically no money more patient with others and at all. Sharing an apartment with a friend, none “The pandemic triggered with myself. The team spirit of them could pay the rent and, while the owner emotions such as amongst the staff, the kindness agreed to a reduction of the rent, he still stated stress and uncertainty of the social workers and that rent needed to be paid, putting the young for me and my colleagues of all psychologists at HHC – this all adults at risk of being evicted. ages. Schools were closed and we restored my faith that things will We intervened by providing food stamps for the needed to stay away from friends. be OK in the end.” period of the pandemic, which provided basic The educators were calm and living resources until the unemployment allowance Marius, aged 16 supported us and so did the people was provided by the state. Also, we covered the from HHC and they provided us with “We were assigned remaining rent costs, to avoid eviction, because advice and made time for us so we different tasks and he would have been in a very difficult situation could talk.” we were told, again had he been evicted. As he put it in June: “I was John, aged 12 and again, the basic hygiene desperate because there was nothing that I rules. They are very important could do, I could not control the situation. I really “We were encouraged anytime, but especially now. In wanted to work and earn money, but there was to say if we did not feel our daily programme we had nowhere to work and, therefore, no way to earn well and if we were special time slots for being money. I felt so helpless and lost…I believe it worried about the virus. This reminded of hygiene rules and was the first time I felt this way for a long time. I is why, whenever we felt that their importance and we were mean, in the institution I managed to build some something was not right, we encouraged to come forward sort of protection system for myself and things always went to the staff or to and talk to staff members any were rather predictable. I knew it was going to be the people from HHC and talked time we felt something was difficult once I left, but I figured that if I work hard, to them. And they always had an wrong.” thing will be OK. Well…I could not work, that is the answer for us and a good word.” problem. And everything was downhill from there Michaela, aged 10 Adrian, aged 9 on.”

Marius, aged 22 Alternative Recommendations

Supporting children and families in the context of Serbia COVID-19 in the short term: • Ensure internet access for every child. Country Profile on the COVID-19 crisis • Ensure that every child can use adequate from a children’s rights perspective technological devices, such as telephones, tablets or laptops, to learn.

• Provide free face masks for every child attending school and provide free sanitary products for families Contributors: Children in Alternative Care - CiAC in need. Network of Organisations for Total Number of children number of Supporting children and families in the context of Children of Serbia (MODS); institutions/ SGHs COVID-19 in the long term: Mental Disability Rights Total number of children in 21 5,997 1 Initiative-Serbia (MDRI) alternative care • Provide social cash benefits for families in need. Institutional care (in total) 21 647 2 in 2018 • Ensure that all children live in good housing Institutions for children with 6 478 3 (number of residents disabilities in 2019 of institutions for children with conditions. 35.9 % disabilities - 1455) Institutions for children 1 40 • Invest more in education and welfare benefits. Children at risk of poverty or social 0 - 3 exclusion (AROPE) in 2018 Children with disabilities in 5 35 (in total 61 residents: SGH in 2019 children and adults) Children in Alternative Care (CiAC): Number of children in 5,3504 family-based/foster care • Serbia should speed up deinstitutionalisation as part in 2017 of prevention and response to any future epidemic. Number of unaccompanied 8235 minors in 2019 • Serbia should pay special attention to the rights Small Group Homes (SGHs) 5 35 (61 children and adults in these 5 SGHs) of children in residential care when imposing restrictions affecting residential institutions where 1 ДЕЦА У СИСТЕМУ СОЦИЈАЛНЕ ЗАШТИТЕ 2019 2 Ibid. children live. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Asylum Information Database - Country Report: Serbia 140 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for and not recommended; teaching is school, and so on. They primarily families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 conducted online through various worry about the health of loved ones, COVID-19 pandemic: crisis applications and over the RTS (Radio family members and other people,  Television Serbia) public broadcast including worrying that one of them service. may die. Negative developments 6 Children continually experience Children appear to recognise the The government’s support to fear of being infected with the potential stigmatisation of people families and children during the coronavirus. Most children have with COVID-19; they are afraid of crisis was insufficient. learned about the coronavirus on transmitting the virus to loved ones, TV or online, with only a fifth of them because then they will be “guilty” if Civil society organisations (CSOs) learning about it from their parents. one of them becomes ill. had to face a period of uncertainty However, in most cases their parents over how to organise activities with are the main sources of information Good practice children and families. For example, on the COVID-19 pandemic. they still do not know how many • The members of the Network children do not have access to Children report that they mostly miss of Organisations for Children of the internet, have a computer or social activities (companionship, Serbia (MODS) helped families a smartphone. Moreover, funds socialising, friends, going out) and and children to understand how are mainly directed to COVID-19 the freedom of movement. to cope with the lockdown and emergency activities, causing cuts COVID-19 crisis by creating some and delays in the financing of social The prolonged restrictive measures, background documents and activities. the state of emergency, and the sharing them online. continued fear of COVID-19 are Restrictive measures introduced exacerbated by the high level of • MODS members are offering free during the state of emergency uncertainty on many important webinars for parents and children. significantly affected children: issues. For example, how long kindergartens and schools have the state of emergency and the • MODS members are urging the stopped working; their mobility COVID-19 outbreak will last, how government to support the most has been heavily restricted; their it will progress, how they will be vulnerable children and families in ability to see their peers is limited graded, how they will enrol in high this critical period.

6 More info at Being a child during the COVID-19 pandemic Country profiles - Serbia | 141

Policies for Investing in Children

the signatories of an initiative for Court issued Decision No IUz- need to address children’s rights National strategy to assessing the constitutionality of 226/2017 to open a procedure to issues. tackle child poverty Article 12, paragraph 7 of the Law determine the unconstitutionality of on Financial Support to Families with the provision of Article 12, paragraph Children. 7 of the Law on Financial Support Education Serbia does not have a national to Families with Children. We urge strategy to tackle child poverty. The controversial provision of the the government to completely • Most children (83.3%) stated that Law on Financial Support to Families abolish the controversial provision in they had no problems with online Addressing child poverty is with Children places the parents order to stop the application of this teaching. not perceived by the political of children younger than five with measure that directly affects parents establishment as a priority. As a special and serious psychophysical who fight for a dignified and good • Almost half of the children have consequence, funds are redirected disabilities in the difficult position quality life for their children on a daily their own personal computer towards other issues. of having to choose between basis. (48.3%), 37% share the computer being absent from work in order with the household, and 14.7% of Even considering the years before to take care of the child (and the the children do not have access to the COVID outbreak, the protection corresponding salary compensation EU influence on national a computer at all. of children’s rights in Serbia has due to that absence) and the right to developments worsened: there seems to be no an allowance for help and care from • Children are notably satisfied social protection development another person. with the communication with strategy, no strategy for the rights • The EU involvement in promoting their teachers, but somewhat less of the child, no strategy to tackle Without any justification, this child rights at a national level was satisfied with the extent to which poverty, no law on the rights of the legal provision causes the insufficient. parents / guardians can explain to child, no intention to remove the interdependence and exclusivity of them parts of lessons they do not time limit for receiving financial those two rights that exist separately • The EU should support understand. social assistance. and independently from each other. independent civil society In relation to this Law, the issue of organisations’ advocacy and • Children who are less satisfied The National Organisation for Rare the current solution regarding the research work. with communication with Diseases of Serbia, the Network of exercise of the right to leave from teachers have significantly greater Organisations for Children of Serbia work to care for the child – maternity • While presenting Progress problems with learning. and the Association of Patients of leave, has also been escalated. On 8 Reports about Serbia, the EU Serbia and Association Hrabriša are December 2018 the Constitutional should put more emphasis on the 142 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

• Regarding distance learning, • The present-day education system Children’s participation help children from marginalised children reported having a in Serbia does not diminish the groups to be heard. Politicians problem with the internet (internet consequences of socio-economic Marginalised and vulnerable children should organise public hearings with access, poor connection); with inequalities and does not enable are not listened to in Serbia. MODS children to listen to their opinions not having anyone to ask for social mobility. The chances of members are trying to change and ideas and set up meaningful clarifications about their lessons; a young person whose parents’ this state of play through projects consultation processes with children with the quick succession of slides education is only elementary to with the United Nations and the to involve them in the political on TV so they cannot always read enrol in a high school or college programme ‘Dialogue for the Future’, process. everything; with teachers who and have the opportunity for but much remains to be done. use different applications so they a better-paid job and a decent run out of memory space on their salary are fairly limited. MODS members are also smartphones. implementing various projects to

Children in Alternative Care (CiAC)

is the case especially for institutions there has been an overwhelming Impact of the COVID-19 that are locked down and short of amount of information and Preventing the crisis staff. challenges blurring the visibility of unnecessary entry of actions from civil society. children in alternative Civil society actors have experienced care In Serbia, residential institutions significant challenges as a direct No plans for mitigating the long-term have been confining children and result of the crisis. Participation in effects of COVID-19 have yet been adults with disabilities since the decision-making on national and released and it is suspected that Several studies have been published outbreak of COVID-19, sometimes local levels significantly shrunk and none have been created. in recent years showing that the not even allowing them to go out in all measures have therefore been most prevalent reasons for putting their institutions’ yards for fresh air or taken without the involvement of civil children in institutions are of a social to receive visitors. At the same time, society. All measures are decided and economic nature, and especially external, independent monitoring of by a small circle of people, without that there is a lack of adequate institutions is not allowed, leaving the involvement of NGOs. There has community-based care and support. children without proper preventive further been a lack of reliable and However, there are no estimates mechanisms against abuse, disaggregated data about the health regarding the number of children violence, inhuman and degrading situation of children in alternative at risk of separation from their treatments and punishments. This care related to COVID-19. Finally, parents. Additionally, the provision Country profiles - Serbia | 143 of services to support vulnerable EU funds (IPA III) of approximately families was reduced during the €667,000 (activity 2.2.3. AP) for the lockdown, and some of the services improvement and development of halted. Only after the intervention of specialist treatments for minors who dozens of NGOs did the government committed crimes. This strategy re-establish and enable provision of contains some deinstitutionalisation some services. related provisions. No processes seem to have been stalled because The Ministry for Social Affairs has of the crisis. It is uncertain whether claimed that new placements of there are any EU funds allocated children in alternative care were specifically to children in the context stopped and that social care homes of COVID-19. were instructed to place already institutionalised people in families In Serbia, small group homes’ where this was possible. However, (SGHs) have the same possibility there are no records that this was to have a detrimental effect on done in any institution for adults or children’s wellbeing of bigger scale children. institutions. The children lack personalised care and attention, and stimulation, and are segregated from Progress on child the community. The children who protection and care were taken out of large institutions reform a decade ago and were placed in SGHs are still there and some of them show significant regression in Child protection reforms do not their health and wellbeing. Problems seem to have been slower as with the provision of healthcare a consequence of the crisis. In and meaningful activities have May 2020, right after the state been recorded, and the overall of emergency was abolished, atmosphere and style of living is a Strategy for the Prevention very similar to that in bigger scale and Protection of Children from institutions with somewhat better Violence was adopted together physical conditions. with an action plan. It designated Alternative special measures for children Slovakia Recommendations in vulnerable situations (living in poverty, in institutional care, Supporting children and migrant children…). Country Profile on the European families in the context of Semester and COVID-19 crisis COVID-19 in the short term: • Ensure meaningful child participation in decision-making from a children’s rights perspective • Avoid chaotic/contradictory processes by shifting the announcements and understanding of a child as a introduction of the measures passive recipient to that of an during the pandemic. active co-creator. Contributor: Coalition for Children Slovakia • Include children in the Children in Alternative Care most vulnerable situations, (CiAC): especially those in segregated 22 % areas, in the social packages • To further support families and eliminate unnecessary and children in vulnerable Children at risk of poverty or social bureaucracy for the distribution situations by targeted financial exclusion (AROPE) in 2018 of social allowances from the allowances as well as further state. development and deployment of family counselling centres to Supporting children and socially disadvantaged areas. families in the context of COVID-19 in the long term:

• Provide quality education for all children in any kind of circumstances by preparing Country profiles - Slovakia | 145

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for in connection with the spread of Key challenges experienced by families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus was adopted in March families and children COVID-19 pandemic: crisis 2020. It secured a nursing care  allowance previously provided • Insecurity about the future and not during child-sickness for children knowing how long the situation Positive EU impact on more Government support 0-18 years2 during the lockdown. was going to last. Uncertainty of child-centred legislation at the re-unification of families whose national level: The government’s support to Negative developments members/parents stayed locked  families and children during the in different countries. crisis was inadequate. • In many cases children in 2020 Country-Specific segregated villages did not attend • Attempts to harmonise home- Recommendations: The Slovak government did not any kind of education from March office and home schooling. Lack  address the needs of families and to June 2020. of computers and personnel children adequately during the capacities. Government’s protection of pandemic. In particular, no special Good practice children’s right to participate: allowance to support families • Not being able to generate  in vulnerable situations was • New and effective ways of working sufficient income for the families. introduced. The Ministry of Labour, (webinars, online meetings…) Social Affairs and Family extended Key challenges for civil society the provision of parental allowance • Big wave of solidarity among organisations to parents who lost their entitlement people. to it in March 2020 and did not have • To continue implementation of a job to return to, and had no other • New fundraising tools emerged the project activities e.g. based income. It was paid until the end of including new ways of on cooperation with schools or by the emergency in April 2020.1 crowdfunding. organising conferences.

An amendment to the Act on Social • New partnerships that led to new • Insecurity for the future, inability Insurance, which regulates, inter alia, initiatives were established. to plan anything: need for the conditions for entitlement to organisations to re-structure their nursing care during child sickness

1 Slovakian Ministry of Labour Social Affairs and Family 2 OČR a PN v súvislosti s koronavírusom – čo platí od marca 2020? 146 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

activities and their approach and • Major impact on cash flow due to were facing similar financial projects’ duration and submitting working methods. interruption of services. Income difficulties. The donors were the final reports. has scaled down since donors generous with prolonging the

Policies for Investing in Children

that includes the parties promoting The involvement of the EU in making processes that affect National strategy to “traditional family values” (with a promoting children’s rights was them. A member of the CCS, the tackle child poverty conservative catholic background). adequate: Open Society Foundation Slovakia, Children’s rights are overlooked and The Coalition for Children Slovakia published a position paper mapping the reproductive rights of woman suggests not providing funds to the the situation on child participation The national strategy to tackle are now under pressure, due to the areas which were not able to use the in Slovakia4. They also published poverty and social exclusion3 was new conservative leadership of allocated funds and evaluating the a National Strategy for support adopted in 2015 and updated in the Ministry of Social Affairs, and impact of supported projects. The of the participation of children 2017. Coalition of Children Slovakia Ministry of Health Care. Their actions rule of law and human rights should and young people in Slovakia.5 (CCS) considers that it fails to (a new law is in parliament) consist be the guiding principles in all calls. Recommendations focus on two address the needs of the poorest of appointing conservative heads of main areas - school and municipality families and children in segregated ministerial departments in charge of environments: areas. Another weak point is that these policies, introducing measures Children’s right to there is no action plan to implement that will restrict the access of participate in school environment: the planned measures. women to abortion and reorienting • Incorporate the child participation grant schemes for pro-life and family into the education & training of CCS has observed a tendency by the policies designated originally for The main challenge is not future teaching and professional Slovak government to regress in the gender balance. New measures are understanding the meaning of staff implementation of policies for the also expected in children’s rights participation and absence of an benefit of children. A good example issues. official leader or a supervisor for • Elaborate the programme is the Ombudsperson for Children, ensuring child participation. A child of teacher’s professional which is a missed opportunity and a is understood as a passive recipient development that will include the waste of funding. Slovakia has had a instead of an active co-creator that issue of participation of children new government since March 2020 should be involved in all decision- and young people

3 Národná rámcová stratégia podpory sociálneho začlenenia a boja proti chudobe 4 Pozičný dokument Participácia detí a mladých ľudí na Slovensku 5 Návrh stratégie podpory arozvoja participácie detí a mladých ľudí vSlovenskej republike Country profiles - Slovakia | 147

• Develop the methodology for • Appoint the coordinator for the Efforts of the government to of the Committee for Children and ensuring school participation participation of children and young ensure child participation: Young People should be made more people at local-government level For progress to be made, a new efficient and transparent, following in the municipality: ombudsperson for children should the suspension of all activities after • Introduce the participation of • Develop the methodology to be appointed, with a mandate to the previous coordinator left. children and young people in ensure the participation of protect and ensure the enforcement municipality children and young people of children’s rights. The functioning

Children in Alternative Care (CIAC)

children entering child protection and yet no adequate support was of measures in social Impact of the COVID-19 will raise by 30% approximately. provided. protection facilities and social crisis Families at risk were hit hard by guardianship for the years 2019 the crisis with no or very limited Child protection – 2023. The Transformation and support including the absence Deinstitutionalisation Plan aims During lockdown all residential of support provided via family The Slovak Republic introduced at continuing the process of facilities canceled visits. Contact centres. Even in situations where new types of services for families deinstitutionalisation of replacement between a child and their biological a woman with children needed to in vulnerable situations by creating care, in order to reduce the number family was ensured via social media leave their home it was difficult the Centre for Children and Family of children placed in alternative care. and phone. Adoption processes to find a place since all help and in 2019 which the CCS sees as a were also stopped. crisis centres were closed. positive change in child protection. The Coalition for Children of Slovakia This centre provides new community believes the deinstitutionalisation • NGOs have been trying to monitor • There were no special measures services from experts such as of children in alternative care has children and families in vulnerable during the crisis to address the psychologists and social workers. brought several positive changes situations with the assistance of needs of young people ageing The centres were created in existing to the care system. However, it is some municipalities, and some out of care. They could stay facilites. The quality of the services still work in progress and there are such as the Banská Bystrica5 in residential care during the provided may vary but in general it is several gaps. Remaining challenges municipality were very helpful. pandemic. Mental health problems a step forward. are the further transformation Given the absence of ambulant and depression from uncertainty of residential facilities, the or community services, it is increased among young people, There is also a new Concept development of family-based estimated that the number of ensuring the implementation foster care and the adoption of

5 A City in Central Slovakia. 148 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester clear standards for all providers of alternative care for children. Family support via various programmes as well as counselling centres needs to be further developed and deployed across the country. Several separations of children from their families could have been prevented if there had been adequate financial and non-financial assistance, given the findings of the Ministry of Labour that one of the main reasons why children enter the child protection system is their poor socio-economic situation6.

Children in migration

In Slovakia there were 85 unaccompanied migrant children in 2019 who were placed in a specialised children’s home in Medzilaborce7. Out of 69 unaccompanied minors who entered Slovakia in 2019, 38 were provided accommodation and support in the same home.

6 Sociálne veci a rodina 7 Štatistický prehľad legálnej a nelegálnej migrácie v Slovenskej republike Alternative • Strengthening the health Slovenia recommendations care system (including providing specialists for child Supporting children and health care: paediatricians, Country Profile on the European families in the context of child psychiatrists, clinical Semester and COVID-19 crisis COVID-19 in the short term: psychologists).

from a children’s rights perspective • Maintaining the health of the • Integrating a Child Guarantee population (including mental mechanism into the national health), especially of children policy planning. and families. Contributor: • Higher welfare benefits for Slovenian NGO Network ZIPOM • Financial and other support children (child allowance – for underprivileged families otroški dodatek), reducing and families with children with inequality in employment and special needs. income. 11.7 % • Finding different and new ways • Free kindergartens for all Children at risk of poverty or social of schooling children during an children, and free school exclusion (AROPE) in 2019 outbreak – giving more support textbooks for all children in to teachers and parents on how primary school. to school children at home. • Independent healthcare Supporting children and insurance for all children, and families in the context of increase in the number of child COVID-19 in the long term: healthcare specialists.

• Efficient tackling of • More affordable loans for unemployment and poverty. families. 150 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for were forced to stay at home in an difficult due to all the precautionary families and children during the Impact of the COVID-191 environment of heightened stress measures (e.g. children’s holidays COVID-19 pandemic: crisis that caused the violence to increase. during the summer, free childcare  The national helpline TOM telephone during the vacations, issues with (helpline for children and young ensuring children’s participation). Positive EU impact on more Digital gap people, which is one of the SAFY’s They are facing a significant increase child-centred legislation at The coronavirus lockdown programmes), recorded more in humanitarian needs and are national level: highlighted and reinforced the calls concerning family relations, operating under short delays. In  education gap. Some rural areas psychological issues, depression, parallel, government support for the in Slovenia do not have access to destructive behaviours, and NGO sector started to decrease and 2020 Country-Specific stable connections. Many students loneliness. there are signs that it will continue to Recommendations: did not have the equipment at home decrease even more (funding cuts).  to log in to class, or their parents Unemployment might be essential workers, unable Many people lost their jobs, the Positive developments Government's efforts to to watch them during the day to unemployment rate in Slovenia provide sufficient resources ensure they sign in for school or help rose by 20% from 75,026 at the • Subsidising of part-time work and services for families and them study. beginning of the epidemic in mid- (to maintain jobs in face of the children: March to 90,415 at the end of May consequences of the epidemic  Food poverty (resource Statistical Office of the and the temporary inability The school closure put children Republic of Slovenia). to provide work) – active Government’s protection of living in low-income families at risk employment policy measures. children’s right to participate: (to be hungry) , they relied on free Impact on the work of civil society   school meals. organisations Civil society organisations are • Vouchers for strengthening Increase in intra-family violence impacted by the uncertainty Slovenian tourism (all residents The distress of children in violent concerning COVID-19, making – adult citizens - with permanent families has increased. Children the continuation of their work residence in Slovenia received a subjected to domestic abuse and activities with children more voucher for the amount of €200

1 Obvestilo za javnost marec 2020 Obvestilo za javnost april 2020 Obvestilo za javnost maj 2020 Neuradni dnevni podatki brezposelnost Country profiles - Slovenia | 151

and also children and young payment of credit and interest still • The possibility of introducing • Providing food (charitable food people for the amount of €50). had to be paid, also the costs of combined school learning – in- packages in cooperation with food They can be used to pay bed and the deferral fees were left to the person and remote learning. online shop Preprosto.je). breakfast in accommodation beneficiaries, so in effect it only  establishments in Slovenia. prolonged the loan repayment • Engaging more volunteers in  time and made it more costly During the pandemic, civil providing childcare for children (because the banks charged a society organisations have been whose parents had to go to work • Deferral of credit payments for deferral fee). successful in: and also helping the elderly do 12 months for a wide range of  • Providing technical equipment the grocery shopping and keeping beneficiaries (persons, citizens for remote learning (mostly them company. of Slovenia) – it only delays the computers for school pupils).

Policies for Investing in Children

In Slovenia, children’s rights start of the COVID crisis, civil society making environment for a child. The main obstacles for the received very little attention from is concerned about the place of Slovenia has committed itself development of a national strategy the government during COVID-19, children’s rights on the political (according to the Agenda 2030) to to tackle child poverty are: as there is a widespread view that agenda. reduce poverty by half. children are well off in the country, • There is not enough attention to and the issue is not seen as a In Slovenia, 41,000 children lived children’s rights. priority. Before the crisis, children’s National strategy to in poverty (which is 10.5 % of all rights had a period of progress, tackle child poverty children) in 2019. A strategy to • Children are often an overlooked when many changes happened, tackle child poverty at the national social group (especially although we are still waiting for the level is essential to bring this figure when talking about children’s Programme for Children and the Slovenia does not have a specific down. Moreover, Slovenia should participation). state report to the Committee on national strategy for tackling child put some efforts to get acquainted the Rights of the Child. The delay poverty. Chapter 3 (decent life for with Child Guarantee and take it • Child poverty cannot be separated is also due to governments shifts. all) of the Development Strategy into account as much as possible, from family poverty. In the Now, especially since the shift in of Slovenia 20302, is devoted to especially in policy making. strategy, poverty should be government from the left to the protecting families and children covered comprehensively. right-wing political parties at the and creating a supportive decision-

2 Strategija razvoja Slovenije 2030 152 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Access to financial the NGO sector and only mentions • More general awareness of resources in the family children with regard to education children's rights and consequently and remote learning (see Art. 29). also on the right to participate.

In Slovenia, social transfers are effective in reducing poverty. Many Children’s participation families rely on welfare benefits to sustain their families. It is important Children’s participation is not part of to address unemployment and in- any strategic or legislative document work poverty. in Slovenia, so it is quite hard to include children at the policy level. Children in Slovenia have access to kindergartens, healthcare, and The Children’s Parliaments education. Kindergartens are free programme enables children to only for the second and next child participate in school, on a local level, and children’s access to healthcare and on the national level. When is dependent on their parents’ the COVID-19 pandemic broke economic status. There is a lack of out, face to face communication specialists for children’s health care: was suspended. The Children’s paediatricians, child psychiatrists, Parliaments’ activities moved online, clinical psychologists. using OPIN.ME, a platform for e-participation. The majority of Roma children still do not attend school, do not have To ensure children’s right to access to adequate housing or even participate, SAFY and ZIPCOM are water. calling for: • Adoption of a national programme for children (2020-2025) – it is in Views on the Semester the preparatory phase. process • Preparation and adoption of a national strategy on child The 2020 Country-Specific participation. Recommendation does not mention Alternative • The Spanish government Spain Recommendations should implement measures to promote a balance between Supporting children and family life and work besides Country Profile on the European families in the context of working from home. Semester and COVID-19 crisis COVID-19 in the short term: • The EU should approve the from a children’s rights perspective • The government should adopt European Child Guarantee. legislative measures to support In the post-COVID-19 crisis summer and after-school period this measure would Contributors: practices for children such help to reduce the negative Plataforma de Organizaciones 30.3 % as learning and educational consequences of this crisis. activities and educational de Infancia and FICE Spain Children at risk of poverty or social leisure. Children in Alternative Care: exclusion (AROPE) in 2019

• Family support measures • Support families to prevent Children in Alternative Care - CiAC should be implemented by the unnecessary separation;

Number of Institutions1(2019) Number of children (2019) government in order to ensure that vulnerable families, children • Prioritise family-based care; Institutional care (in total) 1,104 (residential centres)2 21,283 in protection centres and all Institutions for children with disabilities 1,373 those working with children • Provide greater financial and Institutions for children 0-3 619 have access to COVID-19 health human resources to guarantee protection equipment (masks, the protection of children in Family-based care hydro alcoholic gel, gloves, etc.). alternative care;

2018 Supporting children and • Ensure appropriate protection Number of children in family-based/foster care: 6,981 families in the context of for care leavers; Number of children in kinship care: 12,564 COVID-19 in the long term: 3 Number of adoptions: 639 • Ensure appropriate protection • The Spanish government should for unaccompanied migrant 1 In the national statistics on child protection the data provided is grouped under two headings, residential care or foster care. There is no specific data on small group homes (it is included as part of residential care). implement child social benefits children. 2 As of 31 December 2018, there were 1,104 residential facilities: 812 managed by collaborating entities and to financially support vulnerable 206 publicly owned. 3 The number of children adopted in 2018 was 639, representing a decrease of 6% from the previous year. families experiencing poverty. 49% were under three years old. There were 1,215 new adoption offers, a decrease of 7% from the previous year, 924 certificates of suitability were issued, 94% of which were positive. 154 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Summary of Ratings Child Poverty

Government's support for Spanish authorities to NGOs in the School meal grants families and children during the Impact of the COVID-19 mid and long term; the difficulty During the lockdown, the number of COVID-19 pandemic: crisis in providing services to children children who received school meal  without internet connections or grants halved. without electronic devices; the work Positive EU impact on more Government support overload in the face of unforeseen Digitalisation child-centred legislation at urgent and emergency issues. 44% of the families with a monthly national level: The government’s support to income under EUR 900 do not have  families and children during the Lack of data on violence and of a computer at home, and 32% do crisis was adequate. mechanisms to denounce it not have an internet connection. 2020 Country-Specific Civil society organisations are Recommendations: Negative developments concerned about the lack of data Good practice  during the COVID lockdown and Children and families experienced the decrease on the reported cases Government measures Government's efforts to a number of important challenges of violence. Indeed, there is grave The government implemented provide sufficient resources In Spain the lockdown measures concern that a lot of cases are not a number of positive measures, and services for families and concerning children have been being identified and, in particular, including a minimum living income, children: extremely restrictive. For example, about the lack of mechanisms temporary lay-offs, social protection  during the first weeks of the designed to enable children to measures and food scholarships. lockdown, children were not allowed denounce such cases. According Government’s protection of to leave their house for any reason. to figures from the General Police Internet connection children’s right to participate: There was a lack of a children’s rights Directorate, from 16 March 2019 Civil society organisations such as  perspective in public policies and and 16 May 2019, 239 cases of the Red Cross, UNICEF and Save similarly a lack measures to address sexual violence against children the Children provided internet the needs of vulnerable groups were reported. From 16 March 2020 connections and electronic devices (such as Roma and migrant children) and 16 May 2020, only 84 cases to vulnerable and socially isolated in the Spanish national protection were reported, so 64.85% less. This families. system. reinforces the idea that nowadays children are unable to ask for help Awareness NGOs faced important hurdles because they do not have the A coordinated advocacy action Hurdles included the uncertainty mechanisms to do so. by Spanish children’s rights over the public funding from the organisations managed to increase Country profiles - Spain | 155 awareness at the political level of the Press conference Concrete examples of and the negative consequences impact of the outbreak on children’s Children were invited to take part challenges in supporting on their education. In particular, wellbeing. As a result, children’s in a press conference organised by families and children the organisation has been helping rights issues were finally included in the government. They thus had the Roma children without an internet the political debate. possibility to ask questions directly A member organisation shared an connection or electronic devices to the government representatives. example of the obstacles faced at home to receive their online by children in vulnerable families homework and to get in contact with during the COVID-19 lockdown the school.

Policies for Investing in Children

National strategy to tackle policies and a greater commitment The EU had a reasonable Access to financial resources and child poverty to tackle child poverty. However, influence on national services of high quality from an operational point of view, the developments. On the other hand, Spain has a national strategy against strategy is less useful given the lack the EU should adopt stricter • The Spanish government poverty with a specific chapter to of a specific allocated budget. measures to guarantee that the performed positively in ensuring tackle child poverty. There is also a recommendations addressed adequate resources and services Spanish High Commissioner Against In recent years the government has to Spain in the framework of the to families and children. Child Poverty in the Ministry of the improved its protection of children’s European Semester are actually Presidency. rights. It has introduced a new law implemented. Moreover, the EU • Social services offices have been on the protection of children from should exercise more pressure closed during the lockdown. This The strategy sets up clear objectives violence, a new education law, and on the government to guarantee clearly had a negative impact on for reducing child poverty. However, a new minimum income guarantee. a more efficient promotion of vulnerable families with children. there is no specific budget allocated However much more is needed in children’s rights. Some problems have been for this strategy; due to the political the next months in order to react identified regarding the access to instability, the National General to the severely negative impact of • Positive response to the Country- temporary lay-offs. Budget has been automatically COVID-19 on children’s well-being. Specific Recommendations: extended since 2016. The document includes specific • With regard to the Minimum EU influence on national recommendations regarding cash Income Guarantee, vulnerable Having a national strategy to tackle developments transfers to vulnerable families families did not receive cash child poverty is important because and specific proposals to promote transfers until June. it is an advocacy tool that helps civil • Reasonable involvement of the early childhood education. society organisations to ask for more EU in promoting children’s rights: 156 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Children’s participation Recommendations Children in Alternative Care (CiAC) • The Spanish government • The Spanish Government performed reasonably well should implement a direct of COVID-19; Royal Decree-Law in ensuring children’s right to cash transfer to support Impact of the COVID-19 12/2020, of 31 March, on urgent participate. childcare. crisis measures to protect and assist victims of gender-based violence. • Due to the lack of technical • Other priorities should devices and an internet also be addressed, such as All the efforts made by the The main challenges faced by NGOs connection in many families, some school support programmes, government have been focused on were: how to guarantee the rights of problems have been identified in conciliation between containing the spread of the virus. all children and youngsters in care the field of children’s participation, family life and work, digital As a consequence, many other while dealing with the COVID-19 especially in vulnerable families. education programmes, activities have been put on hold. In outbreak, how to guarantee safety summer programmes for an emergency health context, the in the face of a lack of sufficient children, and programmes main challenge is to protect the protective gear; how to guarantee to addressed to vulnerable rights of children in institutions and the quality of support services, how families such as the VECA ensure quality care and protection to find innovative solutions in a very programme. for children and adolescents in short time. alternative care. • The implementation of the Institutional care cannot guarantee National Child Participation The government implemented that the rights of the children are Council should be a priority. a number of policies to support respected, neither does it provide Given that this action has vulnerable families and children in the best quality care possible since been included in the coalition care: the Royal Decree-Law of 12 multiple studies show that family Government Agreement, the March adopting urgent measures based care is the best option. next steps by the government to respond to the economic impact Yet, it was extremely difficult to are expected in the coming of COVID-19, Royal Decree-Law send children whose parents months. 11/2020, of 31 March, adopting have been hospitalised because additional urgent measures in the of the coronavirus. Nonetheless social and economic field to deal many calls were made by umbrella with COVID-19; Royal Decree-Law organisations such as the State 8/2020, of 17 March, on urgent Association of Foster Families extraordinary measures to deal with (ASEAF), and in many cases minors the economic and social impact have been sent to residential Country profiles - Spain | 157 centres. The coronavirus has in 2017 to 21,283 in 2018). On the closure of schools and school public entity, in application of a many cases slowed down and other hand, foster care has slowed canteens. judge's order. delayed the process of finding foster down from 19,004 in 2017 to families for these children. 19,545 in 2018. In absolute terms, • In view of the lockdown during • Voluntary custody at the request residential care has surpassed the state of alarm caused by of parents or guardians: either During quarantine, social family care with 21,283 children and COVID-19, services for women because there is an express organisations have been doing their youngsters versus 19,545 in foster victims of gender violence have request from those who have best to support families with online care. been declared essential. authority over the minor before tools to see how the confinement the public body, or through the and adaptations were going. In this For the first time, in residential • Evictions were suspended for a municipal social services, public regard children and their families care, the total number of foreign maximum period of six months prosecutor's office, etc. were not only facing the potential children, 55%, has surpassed that of from 2 April 2020. threats of the coronavirus but also Spaniards, 45%. • Provisional care: provisional the challenges related to having to • Prolongation of lease contracts. care with the aim of providing deal with online education and living Key gatekeeping measures for the immediate attention to a minor in in a limited space for a prolonged support of vulnerable families are • Rent debt moratorium. an emergency situation. time. listed hereafter.1 Unfortunately, these initiatives – however positive • Rent subsidies. - have been clearly insufficient in Care leavers Preventing the reaching all the persons who needed Main reasons for children unnecessary entry of it. entering alternative care2 Administrative procedures have children in alternative been suspended for many months. care • Minimum Living Income (Ingreso • The main means for children This means that young people minimo vital): is a non-contributory entering alternative care in Spain are still waiting for decisions on social security benefit that are "ex lege guardianships": when residence permits, work permits and In 2018 there was an increase of guarantees a minimum income to the exercise of the functions of enrolment in studies that remain 5.2% in the total number of children vulnerable individuals. It provided care and custody of the minor are pending for an indefinite period. and adolescents in care, from an additional 25 million euros to assumed by the public entity. 47,493 in 2017 to 49,985 in 2018. address the basic right to food of Care leavers who were studying The total number of residential children from vulnerable families • By court order: custody in centres have lost opportunities to participate placements as at 31 December who have been affected by the or establishments run by the in educational activities. increased sharply (from 17,527 in

1 Medidas urgentes en el ámbito social y económico para hacer frente al COVID-19; Preguntas frecuentes sobre las medidas sociales contra el coronavirus 2 Boletín de datos estadísticos de medidas de protección a la infancia 158 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

The necessity to study from (MENA) as of July 2019 was The outbreak has also caused the EU funds home negatively affected young 12,323.3 suspension of the visits of relatives care leavers who are now facing and friends. To alleviate this lack of EU funds allocated for the difficulties in going on to further their In the last few years many Spanish contact with their loved ones, care implementation of legislative and/ studies. autonomous communities have providers have tackled the situation or policy framework related to been experiencing a high rate of by video-conferencing or video- vulnerable families and children in Law 13/2020 of 7 April recognised migrant arrivals. These regions calling. This has partially helped care are the following: the right of young migrants between have been taken aback by the children to maintain the bond with 18 and 21 years old to work in the arrival of unaccompanied foreign their loved ones and helped them to • The Coronavirus Response fields until 30 June. The measure minors (MENAS), which often better cope with isolation. Investment Initiative (CRII); has since been extended until has resulted in a sudden and 30 September. Furthermore, on unexpected increase in demand for According to the Spanish law on the • The Coronavirus Response 26 May, the Council of Ministers residential places. This has caused protection of minors, family foster Investment Initiative Plus (CRII+); approved the granting of a two- overcrowding in reception centres care should take precedence over year residence and work permit and a distortion of evaluation and residential care. However, residential • Fund for European Aid to the Most (extendable for another two years) referral processes. This has also care settings are currently the Deprived (FEAD) as part of the to all young migrants between the lead to the exclusive presence of most prominent. The pandemic Coronavirus Response Investment ages of 18 and 21 who take up this foreign minors in some centres, has put a halt to placement in Initiative Plus CRII+ package. extraordinary measure of temporary which postpones their necessary family based settings due to agricultural work. In the meantime, integration with other minors of restrictions on mobility and social They are all new funds. There is not services that were already Spanish nationality. distancing requirements. There enough information on how the supporting these young care leavers are autonomous communities that Spanish government will be using have continued to do so as much as During the quarantine the have taken steps to find a solution. these funds in practice. possible. administrative procedures have Catalonia, for example, has launched been paralysed and or/slowed down. a pilot project to offer family Unaccompanied minors who were placement to migrant minors. This Children in migration studying have lost their opportunity type of care is also being promoted to participate in educational in the Community of Valencia. The number of migrant minors activities. COVID-19 has placed registered in Spain's Registry of them once again in an “eternal Unaccompanied Foreign Minors waiting room”.

3 Número de menores migrantes inscritos en el Registro de Menores Extranjeros no Acompañados (MENA) de España a julio de 2019, por comunidad autónoma Statistics explained | 159 Statistics explained

Data on child poverty provided in The European Commission defines this publication was retrieved from the AROPE indicator as the share of Eurostat. the population in at least one of the following three conditions: The most recent data on children at risk of poverty or social exclusion • at risk of poverty, meaning below (AROPE), was taken from 2019 data the poverty threshold when available, and where not (as is the case with Ireland and Italy) 2018 • in a situation of severe material data was used. deprivation

• living in a household with a very low work intensity. 160 | 2020 Eurochild Report on the European Semester

Glossary – Children in Alternative Care

Alternative care A formal or informal (children without parental care should be narrower as “not in overnight care” might be during summer camps, informal family arrangements, boarding school etc.) arrangement whereby a child is looked after at least overnight outside the parental home, either by decision of a judicial or administrative authority or duly accredited body, or at the initiative of the child, his/ her parent(s) or primary caregivers, or spontaneously by a care provider in the absence of parents (Better Care Network Toolkit) 1 Child protection Preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse against children.2

Child protection system The combination of laws, policies, structures, mechanisms and services required to prevent and respond to child maltreatment, exploitation and other violations of the child’s fundamental rights.3 Children without parental care ‘All children not in the overnight care’ (Guidelines, para 29.a) of both or one of their parents as a result of ‘the parents general inability or unwillingness to provide adequate care’ (Guidelines, para 30.c). Community-based services Services directly accessible at the community level, such as: family strengthening services, parenting courses and sessions, promotion of positive parent-child relationships, conflict resolution skills, opportunities for employment and income generation and, where required, social assistance, etc.; supportive social services, such as day care, mediation and conciliation services, substance abuse treatment, financial assistance, and services for parents and children with disabilities4 Deinstitutionalisation of children Policy-driven process of reforming a country’s alternative care system, which primarily aims at: • Decreasing reliance on institutional and residential care with a complementary increase in family and community-based care and services; • Preventing separation of children from their parents by providing adequate support to children, families and communities; • Preparing the process of leaving care, ensuring social inclusion for care leavers and a smooth transition towards independent living. • De-institutionalisation def. from the EU Guidelines5 Formal family-based care All care provided in the domestic environment of a family which has been ordered by a competent administrative body or judicial authority (derived from Guidelines, paras 29.b.ii and 29.c.ii). Foster care and formal kinship care are two types of formal family-based care.6

1 https://bettercarenetwork.org/sites/default/files/Child%20Protection%20Systems%20-%20Mapping%20and%20Assessment%20Toolkit.pdf 2 https://trackingprogressinitiative.org/dashboard_bcn/troubleshooting/glossary.php 3 https://trackingprogressinitiative.org/dashboard_bcn/troubleshooting/glossary.php 4 Opening Doors for Europe’s Children 2014, Deinstitutionalisation and Quality Alternative Care for Children in Europe; Lessons Learned and the Way Forward. 5 https://deinstitutionalisationdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/guidelines-final-english.pdf 6 https://trackingprogressinitiative.org/dashboard_bcn/troubleshooting/glossary.php Statistics explained | 161

Foster care ‘Situations where children are placed by a competent authority for the purpose of alternative care in the domestic environment of a family other than the children’s own family that has been selected, qualified, approved and supervised for providing such care’ (Guidelines, para 29.c.ii). Institutional care Care taking place in (often large) residential settings that are not built around the needs of the child nor close to a family or small- group situation, and display the characteristics typical of institutional culture (depersonalisation, rigidity of routine, block treatment, social distance, dependence, lack of accountability, etc.). 7 This will generate a lot of discussion, should be further elaborated Kinship care Family-based care within the child’s extended family or with close friends of the family known to the child, whether formal or informal in nature (Guidelines, para 29.c.ii). Leaving care The fact of a child being discharged from the formal alternative care system in order to re-join his/her family, be placed in kinship care or with an adoptive family, or because he/she has reached the official upper age limit for being in such care.8 The Guidelines state that aftercare should be prepared as early as possible in the placement and, in any case, well before the young person leaves the care setting (para 134). Moving Forward indicates the policy orientation required to achieve this: providing opportunities for children to develop the necessary life skills and to have access to all relevant information when they are preparing to leave care. This can include preparing young people for independence through youth homes, located in nearby communities.9 Prevention Intervention (Support and services provided – instead of intervention!) in the family or community that enables children to stay in their families as an outcome, if this is in their best interests. Support can be provided in several areas such as living conditions, family and social relationships, education, physical and mental health, household economy, etc.10 Family Reintegration “The process of a separated child making what is anticipated to be a permanent transition back to his or her family and community (usually of origin), in order to receive protection and care and to find a sense of belonging and purpose in all spheres of life.11” Residential care Care provided in any non-family-based group setting, such as places of safety for emergency care, transit centres in emergency situations, and all other short- and long-term residential care facilities, including group homes;(Guidelines, para 29.c.iv). This has to be clearly described how is it different from institutional care – often these two are used as synonyms. -Children’s homes is also used as the same category Small group home A type of residential care in which a small group of children live in a house in the community, and are cared for in an environment that is as family-like as possible.12 There are a lot of debates , see above, if it is an institution or a community based provision and also the numbers are important 4-15, which is still a group home and which is an institution, residential home13.

Unaccompanied children Children ‘who have been separated from both parents and other relatives and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible for doing so’14

7 Opening Doors for Europe’s Children 2014, Deinstitutionalisation and Quality Alternative Care for Children in Europe; Lessons Learned and the Way Forward and https://deinstitutionalisation.com/terminology/ 8 https://trackingprogressinitiative.org/dashboard_bcn/troubleshooting/glossary.php 9 https://www.kennisplein.be/Documents/Young_people_transitioning_out_of_care.pdf 10 Opening Doors for Europe’s Children 2014, Deinstitutionalisation and Quality Alternative Care for Children in Europe; Lessons Learned and the Way Forward. (to be updated in 2017) 11 Guidelines on Children’s Reintegration 12 Opening Doors for Europe’s Children 2014, Deinstitutionalisation and Quality Alternative Care for Children in Europe; Lessons Learned and the Way Forward. 13 UNICEF 2020, White Paper The role of small-scale residential care for children in the transition from institutional to community-based care and in the continuum of care in the Europe and Central Asia Region 14 UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child, p. 8. This publication was realised with the support of Martin James Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinion of Martin James Foundation. MJF cannot warrant any of the information as accurate or be liable for any reliance on the information contained therein.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) 2014-2020. For further information please consult http://ec.europa.eu/social/easi. The views expressed by Eurochild do not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. © Eurochild 2020

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