We are changing the adoption process. What will it look like?
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It is enough to set criteria for children. They need a family.
The adoption process in Ukraine lasts about a year on average. To many citizens, it may seem too long, complicated, bureaucratic, incomprehensible. However, in practice, this time is actually needed by all participants:
- future parents, to confirm their intentions to adopt a child;
- child which does not have to face alienation or the desire to run away;
- the statewhich must make sure that the person who decided to give birth by heart has the necessary skills and opportunities for education.
For comparison, in the world, the adoption process can last up to 4 years.
The dynamics of adoption in Ukraine over the past three years has been almost unchanged (if we do not take into account the challenges that a full-scale invasion has put before us). Today 1 656 candidates (potential adoptive parents) have already started the adoption procedure. At the same time, he is registered for adoption 15,697 children
Behind these dry numbers are many more details and human feelings. Thousands of children need foster parents, while foster parents mostly need to understand the following:
- most candidates want to adopt a child under 5 years of age, and a significant share of orphans are teenage children;
- more than 10% of children who can be adopted are children with disabilities;
- brothers and sisters cannot be separated.
Our responsibility is to give love and care to every child who needs it. That is why we are currently working on changes that we will introduce at the beginning of next year. They will make life easier for potential adoptive parents and, most importantly, put the interests of the child in the center.
The child’s interests come first
Today, the interests of potential parents are at the center of the adoption procedure. They choose the child they want to adopt. At the same time, no one asks the child herself which parents she would like. To put it very roughly, the child is just waiting for someone to agree to take it.
We want to change that and give the child the opportunity to choose as well. It is about psychological compatibility.
We consult with psychologists and European colleagues regarding the most safe and comfortable form for children’s psyche. After all, such an approach is required not only by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also by common sense.
Digital documents
Today, the adoption process begins with an application to register prospective adopters. That is, potential adoptive parents apply to the Children’s Service at their place of residence, write an application and collect the necessary package of documents. The initial experience is not always comfortable.
Our goal is to digitize the adoption process as much as possible.
The state already has most of the information about the person, and digital tools will allow you to get rid of contact with children’s services at the start, and allow officials to more quickly verify the wishes of candidates. It is partially implemented. The application can already be submitted through the DIA. Upon completion of digitalization, all references will be automatically pulled from the registers.
Electronic queues for training
The learning phase gives value to the adoption procedure. Adoptive parents are taught, in particular, how to help the child adapt more quickly, etc. The training is organized at the regional level, and it is often necessary to wait for a group to form, given the number of certified trainers we have.
We strive to make training waiting lists transparent. In addition, the training of adoptive parents will take place at any convenient and certified provider in Ukraine according to the updated program approved by the state.
Family judges
The actual adoption of children in Ukraine takes place after a court decision. The Ministry of Social Policy is working with the Ministry of Justice to create a separate category of judges – family judges who will deal with family matters (including adoption). This means that there will be no significant delays at this final stage, and candidates who have already gone through the entire procedure will be able to complete it without any problems. It is worth noting that many courts are already following this path, understanding the importance of the issue.
The whole way through the adoption procedure encourages future adoptive parents to feel responsible for the decision they have made. The state certainly wants to be a partner in this good cause.
The Ministry of Social Policy maximally supports the decision of citizens to adopt children and changes the rules that will allow the entire procedure to go smoothly. We expect to demonstrate the first changes at the beginning of next year.
Nazar Tanasyshyn, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, specially for UP. Life
Publications in the “View” section are not editorial articles and reflect exclusively the author’s point of view.
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