Every war leaves in its wake many broken destinies, ruined lives and endless tears. One of the most painful and tragic aspects of this war is the fate of children left without parental care. The moment a child loses his parents, his world collapses, and he becomes alone in a universe that seems hostile and incomprehensible to him. But in the midst of this chaos, people with big hearts appear, ready to open their doors and give warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
How to temporarily place a child: steps and requirements
Pursuant to clause 31 of the Procedure for Activities Related to the Protection of Children’s Rights by Guardianship Authorities, approved by Cabinet Resolution No. 866 dated September 24, 2008, a child left without parental care may be placed in the family of relatives or acquaintances .
If the child has relatives or close friends (neighbors, acquaintances) with whom he has developed a close relationship and who are ready to accept him into their family, they can do so before an official decision is made on the placement of the child.
The basis for a child’s temporary stay in another family is the order of the children’s affairs service on temporary placement. A person who wants to take a child for temporary education must submit the following documents to the children’s service at his place of residence:
- Application for consent to temporary placement of a child.
- A copy of a passport document or a refugee card, an identity card of a person in need of additional protection, or a certificate of application for protection in Ukraine.
- Written consent of all adult family members living together with the person who wishes to adopt a child on the child’s residence in the same living space.
- Written consent of the child (if he can express his opinion).
If the child cannot give written consent, a corresponding act on the form and content of such consent is drawn up.
The Children’s Affairs Service examines the person’s living conditions and prepares a report, which is attached to the case. Based on the results of the examination of the application, the service prepares an order on the temporary placement of the child.
Social assistance for families
In order for children who have lost their parents to be brought up in families and not in boarding schools, the government has introduced a new type of social assistance – for families who temporarily accommodate a child. The “Child is not alone” aid is assigned to children who are left without parental care, but have not yet acquired the appropriate status and are dependent on relatives, acquaintances, in a foster family or in a family-type children’s home.
Such help not only provides the basic needs of the child, but also adds resources to the family to ensure its upbringing and development in new conditions. All children deserve love and support, and respite care allows them to feel safe and cared for again.
How to make it possible
Each family that decides to temporarily adopt a child goes through a series of mandatory steps and checks. This includes the collection of necessary documents, the consent of all family members and the child, as well as an examination of living conditions by the children’s service. After successful completion of all procedures, the service issues an order for the child’s temporary placement, which indicates the reasons that led to such a decision (for example, the death of the parents, their stay in temporary occupation or captivity).
Temporary placement is a vital intervention that provides children with stability and support at critical times in their lives. In times of war, when the safety and well-being of a child are at risk, every family that opens its doors to a child fulfills an extremely important mission. They become support and hope for the baby, helping him survive difficult times and find his family again.
