In November, the national inspection’s team visited children’s facilities in the region, analysed their compliance with government instructions and the functioning of the guardianship and custody facilities and commissions for juvenile affairs, and met with parents.
Speaking at the expanded meeting with the head of agencies working in the system for the prevention of social orphanhood, Maria Lvova-Belova stressed that her team had registered substantial improvements since their previous visit five months earlier. The region has adopted a law on free legal assistance for the parents wishing to have restrictions on their parental rights lifted and their rights to be reinstated. The local commissions for juvenile affairs now have substance abuse professionals on their staff, and the number of children in children’s facilities is decreasing. The Commissioner also issued her recommendations.
Maria Lvova-Belova visited a specialised children’s home and a social rehabilitation centre for minors, where she held a personal reception of citizens and helped reunite families.