Case study

1. Children left behind:practices in Bulgaria Case study Ina Radkova, National Network for Children

2. Family history • Parents • met in Greece, where their son J (7 years old) and their daughter P (4 years old) were born • together for 8 years, have children left behind in Bulgaria from previous relationships • both identify themselves gipsies • J and P • lived with their paternal grandmother in Bulgaria for about 2 years • the grandmother contacted the child welfare department in Burgas – she could not take care of the children • parents moved back to Bulgaria, took their children and settled in a village located in another municipality

3. What actions did the structures responsible for child welfare undertake? • Child Welfare Department in Ruse • received a report about the children from the Child Welfare Department in Burgas • investigated the case • made an assessment of the risk factors • consulted the family to use the social services in the Complex for Social Services for Children and Families • sent the full package of documents to the Complex

4. What actions did the structures responsible for child welfare undertake? • Complex for Social Services for Children and Families • signing a contract with the parents • assessment of children’s needs • plan how to support the family • work with the family according to the plan • re-evaluating the support plan every three months • organizing meetings with their social worker from the Child Welfare Department

5. What kind of support did the family receive? • Contact with other institutions (doctors, teacher etc.) – creating a network of specialists to support them • J and P did not have Bulgarian birth certificates • J and P have never been vaccinated • J and P needed to be enrolled in school and kindergarden • Consulting the parents about children’s level of development and their needs • J and P could not speak Bulgarian • difficulties with family budgeting • unhappy with their financial status

6. Thank you for your attention!