FAMILY-TYPE CHILDREN’S HOME AS AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF CHILDHOOD SOCIAL PROTECTION
Authors: Коляда Наталія 
Published: December 2023

The article, based on the analysis of theory and practice, characterizes the family-type orphanage as an alternative form of social protection of childhood.

The author proved that the social protection of children’s rights is a necessary condition for the further formation and development of a child in society, the creation of conditions for its harmonious development, especially in the conditions of an increase in the number of orphans, children deprived of parental care and children who find themselves in difficult life circumstances.

The problem of orphanhood in Ukraine, the formation and implementation of state policy in the sphere of social orphanhood prevention through placement of orphans and children deprived of parental care is one of the key issues of the state’s social policy.

The Ukrainian state decides the issue of placement of children without parental care. At the same time, many questions arise regarding the practical implementation of the main provisions of state documents that define family policy in Ukraine in general and family forms of education in particular.

In accordance with the Family Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring Organizational and Legal Conditions for the Social Protection of Orphans and Children Deprived of Parental Care” (2005, with amendments), the following forms of placement of orphans and children deprived of parental care are established: adoption; establishment of custody or guardianship; foster family; family-type orphanage; institutions for orphans and children deprived of parental care.

Practice has proven that the priority forms of placement of orphans and children deprived of parental care are family forms, in particular, a family-type orphanage. Organizational features, procedure for creating a family-type children’s home, requirements for parent-educators, etc. determined by the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring Organizational and Legal Conditions for the Social Protection of Orphans and Children Deprived of Parental Care” (2005, as amended) and Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 564 of April 26, 2002 “On Approval of the Regulations on Family-Type Orphanages” (2002, with modifications).

A family-type orphanage is a separate family, created at the request of a spouse or a single person who is not married, to provide family upbringing and joint living for at least five orphans and children deprived of parental care... General the number of children, including relatives, in such a family cannot exceed ten people» (“Regulations on family-type orphanages”).

The development of family forms of education and the abandonment of residential institutions is a need of a civilized society, modern realities, and human morality. This is one of the conditions for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Organization and operation of family-type children’s homes is not new in Ukraine. Ukraine has experience in creating such alternative forms of family care. However, in modern realities, in the conditions of Russian military aggression and related socio-economic and socio-political challenges, the issues of social protection of children and providing them with opportunities for full-fledged development and family comfort remain relevant.

The problematic issues described in the article need to be solved, in particular, at the scientific, theoretical and practical levels, which are the subject of separate and further research.