Bulgaria Takes the Lead in Global Childcare Reform Efforts

The Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Borislav Gutsanov, and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Bulgaria, Nathaniel Copsey, have acknowledged the need for a global campaign to reform childcare policies. The initiative is set to be launched during the UN General Assembly in September, with Bulgaria as a key player due to its successful deinstitutionalization of childcare. The country's experience in shifting the focus from institutional care to family-based upbringing has made it an ideal location to share best practices.

Key Takeaways:

• The global campaign for childcare reform aims to ensure every child's right to grow up in a family environment.
• Bulgaria's deinstitutionalization process has been successful, with the number of children in institutional care decreasing from 7,600 in 2010 to 104 in 2024.
• The goal of the reform is to eliminate institutional care for children by the end of 2025.
• Since 2010, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has implemented the reform as an exclusive state policy.
• By the end of 2024, 5,350 children had been placed in families of relatives or close friends, or in foster families, and under 3,000 were in residential social services.
• The number of social services to support children and families has increased threefold, from 241 in 2010 to 759 in 2024.
• Over 20,600 children and families receive support through these services.
• Bulgaria's experience in deinstitutionalization will be shared with other countries as a model for reform.
• The country's successful implementation of the reform, which has resulted in the closure of most institutional care facilities, will serve as a best practice for other nations.

Statistics:

• 7,600 children were being raised in 137 institutions at the beginning of the reform in 2010.
• 104 children currently reside in 3 remaining homes for medical and social care.
• 5,350 children were placed in families of relatives or close friends, or in foster families, by the end of 2024.
• 3,000 children were in residential social services that offer care in an environment close to the family by the end of 2024.
• 241 social services to support children and families existed in 2010.
• 759 social services to support children and families exist as of 2024.
• More than 20,600 children and families receive support through these services.

Sources:

• Press centre of the line ministry, "Minister of Labour and Social Policy and Ambassador of the United Kingdom Discuss Initiative for Childcare Reform", exact date unknown.
• Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, "Reform of Raising Children in a Family Environment", exact date unknown.
• For Our Children Foundation, "Centre for Early Childhood Development", exact date unknown.