Romania Providing the missing link in child protection

Project : Romania 13 May 2011 | protection systems

Craiova, Romania, May 5, 2011: Tdh and the General Direction of Social Assistance and Child Protection Dolj (GDSACP) signed a cooperation agreement with the aim of improving the prevention system in Dolj county, for children who are in various risk situations by the following means:

• improving the methodological and practical skills of persons with social assistance responsibilities in municipalities (through training sessions) with the goal of preventing and managing risk situations that children are exposed to;
• providing adequate working tools for the staff of the Social Assistance Public Services to identify, record, evaluate and monitor the above mentioned cases;
• supporting the methodological coordination conducted by the GDSACP for the preventive activities carried out by the social assistance staff in the municipalities.

This important step is part of Tdh’s strategy for the next years , which aims is to work on the missing link between the existing special protection services (family type, alternative or residential services for the severe cases, day care and counseling centres) at the county level (Dolj) and the weak social intervention existing at the municipal level (support to vulnerable children) left under the sole supervision of the mayors. This shortcoming leaves children unable to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled to by law. Therefore, by mixing capacity building for stakeholders and direct intervention for the most vulnerable children (mainly in schools) given by teachers and animators, Tdh will foster the active involvement and support of the mayors benefiting from the project, especially in offering additional resources to social services at local level.

In addition, it has been acknowledged by both signatories that persons with social assistance responsibilities in municipalities / Social Assistance Public Services need to receive training, good supervision, and good practices / experiences that support their ability to use appropriate tools and techniques.

In addition to the agreement, the General Direction of Social Assistance and the Dolj Child Protection services approved to designate two people who will be liaising with the Social Assistance Public Services from each of municipality involved in the project. Moreover, Tdh will provide expertise (from Switzerland, Bucharest and Craiova) and a financial contribution to training courses, materials, subsistence expenses and transportation / travel.

This experience may prove to be an effective way to coordinate and support the work of local authorities and we hope that over time, prevention programs will be institutionalized, and recognized as a core part of the social service delivery system to which referrals will be smoothly made and for which financial support will be secured. [LAG]