Transforming alternative care systems and securing investment in social services for children across Europe

ZAGREB/GENEVA 18 September 2024 – More than 50 young people with experience of living in care, joined experts and decision-makers from more than 20 countries today, to advocate for greater investment in, and strengthening of protection and care systems for children and young people across Europe.

The CARE 2024 conference, Transforming Childcare in Europe has been convened by UNICEF and government ministries and academia in Croatia, including the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy; the Ministry of Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation; the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Zagreb; and the Centre for Missing and Abused Children. The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of the latest evidence and practices for ending the institutionalisation of children.

“The convening of diverse experts from across Europe, particularly young people with lived experience in alternative care, is an important means of addressing persistent challenges in social care systems,” said Luisa Brumana, Representative of UNICEF Office for Croatia. “Transforming care systems means moving away from institutions and investing in quality family and community-based care underpinned by a professional workforce that is adequately equipped to meet the needs of all children.”

Children in residential care institutions are deprived of the social, emotional and intellectual stimulation that is critical for the healthy development of their brains. Shut away from mainstream society, children in institutions are vulnerable to violence, neglect and abuse.

In Croatia, there are currently more than 1,350 children living in institutional care. Despite progress in improving social care systems, the number of children in institutional care increased from 181 to 203 per 100,000 children between 2017 and 2022, in line with trends across Western Europe.

The conference is an opportunity to align efforts around strengthening integrated child protection systems and monitoring the quality of alternative care and services for families at risk. There will be focused discussions on ending the institutionalisation of children through the expansion of social services and social work that support vulnerable families, the further development and professionalization of foster care and ensuring the inclusion of children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The conference will draw attention to relevant financing opportunities, leveraging domestic resources and EU funds to ensure no child is left behind.

UNICEF works with governments and partners across the region to help keep families together and support family- and community-based care. This includes developing and implementing deinstitutionalisation policies and programmes, scaling up protection and family support services to prevent children being separated from their families, promoting family- and community-based care and the safe transition to an independent life. UNICEF also works with governments and national statistical offices to improve the availability, comparability and quality of data on children in alternative care. 

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Note to editors:

The CARE Conference is being held for the second consecutive year as part of the ISKORAK (A Step Forward) programme, a collaboration between UNICEF, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy, the Ministry of Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation, and the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Zagreb, which has been running since 2021. The detailed conference program, including information about the speakers, can be found at: www.skrb.hr

Participation of children and young people in the CARE 2024 conference

Children and young people who are currently in alternative care in the social welfare or justice system, as well as children and young people with experience of living in care, will participate in the conference, with the support of experts and mentors-educators. To guarantee a safe and positive experience, their participation is guided by the principles of the child's best interests, ensuring that their dignity and privacy are always respected. Recording, photographing and publishing information about children and young people participating in the conference is not allowed. We ask the media representatives for their understanding and to support us in protecting the rights and best interests of children and young people.