Strategies in action – the Bulgarian experience

Presented by: Mr. Lazar Lazarov, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Mrs. Greta Gancheva, Ministry of Education and Science Dr. Adam Persenski, Ministry of Health Mrs. Verginiya Micheva-Ruseva, Ministry of Justice Mrs. Yoana Zaharieva and Mr. Plamen Dimov, advocates for children’s rights Mrs. Dani Koleva, National Network for children Mrs. Eva Zhecheva, State Agency for Child Protection Moderator: Mrs. Ivanka Shalapatova, For Our Children Foundation

Ministry of Labour and Social Policy

The Right to Live in a Family for Every Child National legal and strategic framework Child Protection Act Family Allowances Act Social Assistance Act Detailed secondary legislation National Strategy for the Child National Strategy “Vision for Deinstitutionalization of Children in the Republic of Bulgaria” National Strategy for Reducing Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion 2020 Annual National Child Protection Programme

Reform in the area of children and families support Child centered approach Main principle – the family is the best environment for the child Developing various alternative care services Intersectorial approach Strengthening the capacity of the child protection system, in particular the capacity of the Child Protection Departments

Main policies Provision of various family-based services and services close to the family environment Special measures for deinstitutionalization of child care Ensuring financial support to families with children Supporting reconciliation of family and professional life of parents of young children Looking at the future: Detailed regulation of the integrated intersectoral services Social services reform – financing, planning, quality, approaches, monitoring, effectiveness, sustainability, etc. Introducing new nationwide unified model for provision of early childhood development services Improving the coordination and the intersectoral approach

Ministry of Education

The Right to Education for Every Child National legal framework Law on pre-school and school education – main points Orientation to the interest and motivation to every child and every student Increased autonomy for schools - development of school policies Innovative schools Inclusive Education - an integral part of the right to education Support for personal development - general and additional psychologist, speech therapist, social worker, resource teachers in kindergartens and schools introducing work with child and student in case Public Council - Authority to support the development of kindergarten and school and for civilian control of their management State educational standards – 19 in total

Main strategies, programs and policies National strategy to promote and improve literacy skills ( ) National strategy for Lifelong Learning for the years Strategy for the Development of Vocational Education and Training in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period year Strategy for reducing the share of yearly school leavers ( ) National programmes of the Ministry of Education and Science for development of secondary education

Successful practices and work models Project "Inclusive Education" under the Operational Programme (OP) "Human Resources Development” Project “Support for Equal Access and Personal Development” under the OP "Science and Education for smart growth“ Project SUCCESS under the OP "Human Resources Development“ Project “Your lesson” OP "Science and Education for smart growth“ Inclusive education of children and students seeking or enjoying international protection

Achieving quality and impact through evaluation tools National external assessments - what's new offering in line with the international evaluation tools: In 4 th grade - annually across international instruments evaluation to assess: Bulgarian language and literature (PIRLS) – basic reading literacy skills Mathematics (TIMSS) – basic mathematical literacy skills In 10 th grade - annually across international instruments evaluation to assess: Bulgarian language and literature (PISA) – functional literacy in reading Mathematics (PISA) – functional literacy in mathematics Natural Science (PISA) – functional literacy in natural science

Ministry of Health

The Right to Health for Every Child Between 65,000 and 70,000 children are born each year in Bulgaria. The probability of death of a child under 5 years of age in Bulgaria is still 2.5 times higher than the European Union average. Probability of death under the age of 5 years per 1,000 live births

Strategic documents "HEALTH GOALS FOR 2020" CONCEPT, adopted by the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria in 2015 NATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGY 2020, adopted by the Parliament in 2015 National programmes with a specific focus on children Legal documents in support of the objectives regarding children's health

BEST PRACTICIES Promotion and Prevention Screening Programs National Program for Improving Maternal and Child Health ( ) Deinstitutionalization of children under 3 years from Homes for Medico- Social Care for Children HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities among pregnant women (National Program For Prevention And Control Of HIV and STIs)

FUTURE VISION Ensuring sustainability of the achieved best practises in promotion, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children by: Continuation and extension of the scope of activities under the National Programme for Improvement of Maternal and Child Health Implementation of the concept of closure of homes for medico-social care for children under 3 years ad building a network of health and integrated health and social services for children and families in community.

Ministry of Justice

2011 Concept for state policy in the area of child justice 2013 Road map to implement the Concept 2015 Parliament adopted Undated Strategy to continue the judicial system reform – the reform in child justice is foreseen under specific goal MoJ established a working group to prepare draft law on Juvenile justice – the work is still on going 2015 MoJ prepared amendments to the Criminal procedural code 2015 MoJ prepared amendments to the Family code to guarantee the right of the child to know his/her origin Legal and strategic framework

Specialized judges in 5 courts – civil, administrative and criminal proceedings Training of judges, prosecutors, police officers, lawyers and social workers working within the 5 pilot courts; Blue rooms – 14 – child friendly hearing procedures Restorative justice practices 2015 pilot project under the Bulgarian Swiss cooperation program

3 new pilot courts Trainings continue: Training of trainers /judges, prosecutors/ Training of experts who will help the court to take testimonies of children victims or witnesses of crime Blue rooms – – child friendly hearing procedures Training of mediators in criminal proceedings 2016 The pilot project continues

Child Participation

The Child Protection Act – the child’s view Protection of our rights Set measures for our protection and well being Ensures developing environment

Children’s Council to SACP Consultative body A “bridge” between institutions and children Peer to peer initiatives

Children’s Smile Flash mob

Safe and Healthy Summer

The Week on the Rights of the Child

National Network for Children

Challenges to reach the heights Effective Work Together Prevention Workforce strategy Children, Parents and Family- support Shared philosophy

Shared language, principles and philosophy

Investing in children but also parents and family-support

Sustainable strategy for a respected, competent and professional workforce

Shifting the focus from curing the result to preventing the damage Integrated? Effective Working together!

State Agency for Child Protection

National Strategy for Children STRATEGIC GOAL Providing conditions for the effective exercise of rights and improving the quality of children’s lives as well as their free and full personal development OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES Reducing child poverty and creating conditions for social inclusion of children Ensuring equal access to quality pre-school and school education for all children Improving children's health. Encourage children's participation in formulating and implementing policies related to their rights and responsibilities.

How we carry on together Updating the National Strategy for Children in order: Focusing on child as a holder of rights, and his family Improving the system for child protection and integrating of preventive measures for family support, early childhood development, social services, educational and housing policies Creating an environment that encourages every child to achieve its full potential and develop their best qualities More preventive measures for vulnerable children Synchronizing with international documents and implementing the priorities of the Strategy of Council of Europe and the "Europe 2020" Programme.

Thank you!