PROBLEMS OF FOSTER CARE FOR CHILDREN IN KHARKIV REGION DURING WARTIME

Abstract

The war has caused dramatic changes in social policy and the child protection system in Ukraine, which requires a comprehensive scientific analysis. The purpose of the study. The study aims to identify and analyse the problems associated with the implementation of child patronage in the Kharkiv region during the war. Particular attention is paid to assessing the effectiveness of foster care services, barriers to their implementation, the role of government and NGOs, as well as the needs of foster carers and children.Methodology. The study is based on the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. The main method of data collection was a questionnaire survey conducted among 27 specialists of children’s services and 30 foster carers in Kharkiv region.Additionally, the method of document analysis was used, including legal acts, reports of state and public organisations regulating foster care in wartime.Scientific novelty. The article is one of the first studies of the problem of foster care for children in the Kharkiv region during the war.Conclusions. The paper identifies the main obstacles to the implementation of foster care under martial law, including: the difficult security situation in the communities of Kharkiv region; insufficient number of foster carers and difficulties in attracting them; etc. The results of the study indicate that the foster care system in Ukraine, in particular in Kharkiv region, needs to be improved, given the challenges of wartime. The main areas for improving the foster care system include: raising public awareness of foster care and its importance; avoiding delays in payments and expanding incentive mechanisms; creating programmes to help both children and foster carers; etc.