New Counselling Measures Introduced to Strengthen Child Protection in Türkiye

Ankara, 9 March 2026 – The Ministry of National Education (MoNE) and The Ministry of Family and Social Services (MoFSS), with the support of UNICEF, launched the updated counselling measure modules, marking an important milestone in advancing preventive, responsive child‑centred protection services across the country.

The counselling measure is one of five preventive and supportive measures under the Child Protection Law, designed for children whose wellbeing may be at risk. It provides psychosocial, educational and family‑focused support to help children build resilience, strengthen protective factors and ensure their safety and healthy development.

The revision process was shaped by the contribution of experts from both Ministries through consultations meetings and coordination workshops, which emphasized the need for clearer standards, improved guidance for practitioners and more consistent implementation nationwide. With UNICEF’s technical support, MoFSS and MoNE reviewed relevant legislation and updated the Counselling Measure Practitioner’s Handbook to align with current needs, field experience and good international practices.

Paolo MARCHI, UNICEF Türkiye Representative stated that: “UNICEF warmly acknowledges its longstanding and strong cooperation with both ministries in advancing preventive and child-centred protection services across Türkiye. The updated counselling modules represent an important step forward, providing practitioners with clearer and more consistent guidance to support children and their families in moments of vulnerability. UNICEF remains deeply committed to continuing its joint efforts with the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Family and Social Services to ensure that every child has access to the protection, care and opportunities essential for their well-being.”

The strengthened package introduces new modules on life skills, emotional regulation in challenging situations, safe relationships, responsible technology use, rights and responsibilities, violence prevention and effective parenting. Existing modules were also updated to incorporate practitioner feedback and evolving needs observed in the field.

Deputy Minister of National Education Celile Eren Ökten said: “With the wider implementation of these efforts in the field, it will be possible to identify risks that our children may face at an earlier stage, ensure that they can access the guidance services they need in a timely manner, and support them to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. Grounded in a holistic development approach and focused on student well-being, these initiatives also help strengthen students socially, emotionally and psychologically. Every child who feels valued, safe and understood will grow into an individual who thinks with hope and acts with a strong sense of responsibility.”

“The healthy development of our children is a shared responsibility of all members of society. Therefore, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, supporting professionals working in the field, and expanding evidence-based practices will be among the most valuable steps in enhancing the well-being of our students and ensuring they grow up in safe, inclusive and supportive environments.”

Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Leman Yenigün said: “Through this initiative, we are strengthening the standardization of counselling measures and introducing a more scientific and modular approach to psychosocial interventions. We are also expanding a holistic, child- and family-centred model while making provincial coordination mechanisms more effective. Most importantly, we are reinforcing a stronger protective and preventive system for children.

We do not see the counselling measure merely as a court decision. Rather, we view it as a timely structural intervention in a child’s life — a system tool that strengthens families, reduces risks and supports the child’s developmental journey. I hope that the Counselling Measure Practitioner’s Handbook we are launching today will contribute to our country, our children, and the dedicated professionals working in this field.”

To support effective nationwide rollout, Training of Facilitators and Training of Trainers programmes were conducted for personnel from both ministries. These trainings aim to enhance institutional capacity, promote standardized implementation and ensure that professionals are well‑equipped to deliver child‑centred support to children and families.

UNICEF remains committed to working closely with national institutions to strengthen preventive, coordinated and integrated child protection services in Türkiye, ensuring that every child can grow up safe, supported and empowered.