CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM REFORM – MASTER PLAN ON TRANSFORMATION OF RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS Cabinet of Ministers Republic of Azerbaijan Second Child Protection Forum Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic May 2009

Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan Family Code Law on the Rights of the Child Law on Targeted Social Assistance Law on Social Allowances LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

STATE BODIES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Ministry of Education Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population Ministry of Health Other ministries within their competencies (MoI, MoJ, MoF); State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs

STATE BODIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL 1. ExComs: - Commission on Minors - Guardianship Authority 2. Education Department : - Inspector on child protection in schools - Medico-psycho-pedagogical commission 3. Centre of Social Protection of population: Department on Targeted Social Assistance 4. Police department: Department on preventive work with juveniles Отдел 5. Representation of the ExCom at the community level

State programmes «Educational Development of Children with limited capacities (Inclusive Education)» «Early Childhood development and upbringing Programme» «State Programme on Development of creative skills of gifted children/youth» «Development of the vocational education» «State Programme on De-Institutionalization or Alternative Care»

State Programme on De- Institutionalization or Alternative Care According to the Action Plan of the Programme Ministry of Education is the responsible body for its implementation and coordination. With the aim of implementation, the special Working Group was established under the Ministry of Education

Objectives of the Programme Main goals of the programme in line with the CRC: Needs of children to grown up in family like environment and harmonized development of individual child Establishment of the mechanisms on reunification of children with families (biological and alternative), creation of alternative services for them Guarantee effective enforcement of these mechanisms

Objectives of the Programme 2 Ensure preventive measures to prevent placement of the child in residential institutions Downsize number of institutions by transforming type of these institutions to the family-type social centers Broaden reunification of children (biological and alternative families) and establish stimulation mechanisms Re-qualification of the staff in institutions and establish training/education system to prepare new professionals (social worker, psychologist, speech therapist and etc.) Asses the situation of children in residential institutions and carry out regular monitoring aimed in reunification as well as monitor situation of children in new families Improve and strengthen legislative framework.

Objectives of the Programme 3 Provide targeted financial aid Involve currently functioning staffs experience in developing capacities of the social workers Carry out regular preventive measures among children and families at risk Take actions for awareness raising among general population with support of mass-media Identify priorities on re-unification of children Promote close cooperation between government, civil society and international organisations

Assessment methodology 8 different modules (questionnaires) were developed. I module – General information about institution I module – General information about institution II module – Children living in residential institution II module – Children living in residential institution III module – Personnel III module – Personnel IV module – Infrastructure of the institution IV module – Infrastructure of the institution V module – Services offered by the institution V module – Services offered by the institution VI module – Expenses of the institution VI module – Expenses of the institution VII module – Transportation VII module – Transportation VIII module – Infrastructure of the community VIII module – Infrastructure of the community

Assessment methodology 2 Manual for assessment and special training for the group involved in the assignment. Pre-test of each module Assessment done according to the planed schedule

All institutions are under supervision of the 3 governmental bodies: 50 institutions under MoE 3 boarding schools for orphans; 24 general educational boarding schools; 6 orphanages; 12 boarding schools for children with special needs; 2 specialized boarding schools for boys with difficult behaviour; 3 boarding schools – sanatoriums. Outcomes of the assessment

Outcomes of the assessment 2 3 institutions under MoH 2 baby homes; 1 orphanage for children with neurological diseases. 2 institutions under MoLSPP Boarding schools for children with severe physical and mental disabilities.

Outcomes of the assessment children in 55 institutions out of which are children staying in institutions over night. Rest – are spending night in their families.

Children studying in institutions Total number of children Living in institutions Only studying

Frequency of visiting families Each weekends Sometimes Never 696

Data on children living in institutions Have both parents Have 1 parent Dont have parents - 80 Abandoned or deprived of parental care -399

Reasons of placement (%)

Age of children

Basic criterias for development and implementation of the Master Plan Basic groups factors: - Infrastructure around institution; - Infrastructure of institution; - Quality of services in institutions

Other criterias - Number of children living in institutions; - Number of children from the same district where institution is situated; - Number of placed and leaved children during the year; - Type of institution.

Type of institution Period Short term3 years 5 years and more Orphanages 16 General type of boarding schools 1185 Boarding schools for orphanage and children deprived of parental care 13 Boarding schools for children with physical and mental disabilities 4 Boarding schools for children with physical disabilities 41 Boarding schools for children with speech difficulties 11 Boarding schools - sanatoriums 3 Special boarding schools for boys with difficult behaviour 2 Baby homes 2 Boarding houses for children with severe disabilities 2

Master Plan on Transformation Role of the Master Plan (1) Master Plan is main instructive document in implementation of the State Programme on De-Institutionalization and Alternative Care. Main role of the Master Plan is planning further tasks for changes in institutions, identification of factors and activities. Abovementioned tasks should be part of annual plan of the institution and regularly updated.

Role of the Master Plan (2) Concerned ministries and agencies are responsible for providing services for vulnerable children and families They are responsible for ensuring each child with necessary social services Target group of the Plan are children in institutions

Expected outcomes Children and families in need of special care have to be provided by social assistance; Current staff should be a main force in transformation of institutions and establishment of alternatives services;

Development of alternative services Improvement of adoption and guardianship systems; Support to extended families and guardian families; Development of foster services: - Recruitment; - Selection; - Training and monitoring.

Development of alternative services 2 - Housing provision for children that do not have parents and graduated from institutions; - Housing provision for children that do not have parents and have medium and severe mental disabilities and other services.

Necessary actions Moratorium on creation of new institutions except new type of services (family type homes); Transform institutions where children are not staying over night to secondary schools with day care services; Ensure establishment of day care centers within or close to institution.

Thank you for your attention!