European survey on children in alternative care

On 27th January in European parliament in Brussels Eurochild launched survey comparing the situation in 30 European countries on children in alternative care. According to Eurochild the outcomes of the survey show that approximately one million children of children in the EU are living in alternative care - including residential, community and family-based care.
Whilst placement in an institution is widely recognised as the solution of last resort after family support services and family-based care, the number of children in institutions is stable or even rising in several EU countries. In several states children under 3 are still placed in institutions. Certain groups are over-represented in institutional care statistics, for example in Bulgaria, Roma children account for approximately 45% of children in care, whereas in the Czech Republic in 2007 24% of children in baby homes were Roma. Eurochild also points to statists giving evidence that children who have been in residential care are more likely to end up homeless; to commit crimes; to have children before the age of 20 themselves; and to have their own children taken into care.
On the occasion of issuing report Eurochild is calling EU leaders to take Immediate action to support the de-institutionalisation of children and prevent placing children in institutions.

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