Children in Institutions

On 27th January in European parliament in Brussels Eurochild launched survey comparing the situation in 30 European countries on children in alternative care. According to Eurochild the outcomes of the survey show that approximately one million children of children in the EU are living in alternative care - including residential, community and family-based care.

In September 2009 First Children's Embassy in the Word „Megjashi" organised training devoted to the problem of institutionalization, respect of children rights and protection against child abuse within the institutions. The training gathered representatives of almost all residential institutions in Macedonia and other relevant state agencies directly engaged in the child protection system.

In November 2009 Center against Abuse "Dardedze" invited professionals for two trainings titled "Child abuse in institutions - recognizing, helping, stopping". 40 participants, mainly social workers, care workers and psychologists from child care institutions, were introduced to the basics of the phenomenon. A lot of time was dedicated to identifying possible cases of abuse in institutions represented by the participants and problem solving. Resilience approach as an effective approach in working with children in institutions was also introduced.

In September 2009 two local trainings for social workers, educators, psychologists and pedagogues were carried out by Social Activities and Practices Institute. During the first event the participants were given general information about the problem of child abuse and services of support for victims of violence.