A children’s center in the Lviv region is being prepared for large-scale reconstruction with the support of UNICEF
Lviv region is preparing for a large-scale reconstruction of the regional Center for Social Support of Children and Families, which works with children temporarily left without proper family care or in need of urgent protection. The renovation of the facility is planned to be carried out with the support of UNICEF and the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Education, so that children and families in difficult life circumstances during the war receive assistance in a safe, accessible and space adapted to their needs.
On May 6, the Head of the UNICEF Representative Office in Ukraine, Anne-Claire Dufay visited the regional Center for Social Support of Children and Families in Lviv region. The visit was related to preparations for the reconstruction, which is planned to begin within the next two months. Together with representatives of the region, she inspected the premises of the institution, got acquainted with the conditions of stay of the children and discussed the priority works, without which the complete renovation of the center is impossible.
The reconstruction involves a comprehensive intervention in the infrastructure of the building. The center should update the engineering networks, bring the sewage system to the proper condition, create a barrier-free space and equip a shelter. For an institution where children temporarily live, such works are of practical importance, because daily safety depends not only on the work of the staff, but also on the condition of the premises, the accessibility of the rooms, the serviceability of communications and the ability to quickly move to a protected place during an air raid.
Acting Chairman of the Lviv Regional Council Yuriy Kholod reported that the region has already completed its part of the preparation. With the funds of the regional budget, design and estimate documentation was prepared, which allows moving from discussions to practical implementation. According to him, the action plan was outlined with partners back in February, after which specialists prepared the necessary documents for the future reconstruction.
During the meeting, representatives of the Lviv region and UNICEF discussed which works should be carried out first. Among the priorities were the renovation of engineering networks and sewage, since without these changes it is impossible to create proper living conditions for children. Special attention was paid to accessibility, because the institution must be convenient for children with different needs, and not only meet the basic requirements for a social institution.
The modernization of the center is associated with the deinstitutionalization reform, which involves a gradual departure from the outdated system of keeping children in large residential institutions. In this approach, the main emphasis is placed on family upbringing, early support for families and the creation of services that help the child remain in a safe environment or temporarily stay in conditions as close to family as possible.
During the visit, Anne-Claire Dufay emphasized that changes in the field of childcare are of great importance for Ukraine. The UNICEF representative drew attention to the importance of a family-oriented approach, in which the child is given the opportunity to grow, learn, play and recover in an environment where their needs are taken into account. Cooperation between international partners and the region should strengthen such services in the Lviv region.
The Regional Center for Social Support of Children and Families is already operating as a comprehensive assistance platform. In Lviv, there is a department for urgent placement of children, where 23 children have been living since February 2026. Conditions close to family ones have been created for them, which is especially important in cases where a child has experienced a crisis, is left without stable care or needs temporary protection until further decisions are made by social services.
In addition to the department for urgent placement, the Family Support Service operates within the structure of the institution. Its task is to help families who find themselves in difficult life circumstances before the situation becomes critical for the child. Such work may include social support, consultations, assistance in organizing daily life, interaction with other services, and support for parents who cannot cope with problems on their own.
A separate direction is the Child Protection Center according to the “Barnahus” model. This format assumes that a child who has suffered or witnessed violence receives assistance in one friendly space, without unnecessary re-traumatization when communicating with different services. Within the framework of this model, specialists can combine psychological support, medical support, social assistance, and interaction with the law enforcement system.
After the reconstruction, the center should receive more opportunities for high-quality work with children and families. Updated networks will provide stable living conditions, a barrier-free space will make services more accessible, and shelter will increase the safety of children and workers during military threats. For a social institution that works with vulnerable children, such changes directly affect the quality of daily care.
The joint work of Lviv region, UNICEF and the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Education is aimed at ensuring that the center remains a place of temporary protection, support and recovery, and not just an institution for children to live in. The planned modernization should strengthen the system of services in which the child receives safety, professional assistance and a chance to return to a stable family environment more quickly.
