Poroshenko signs the law on legal status of children’s services

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the law # 1824-VIII “On bodies and offices of children’s services and special institutions for children” regarding an upgrade of the legal status of children’s services. It was reported by the press-service of the state head.

The law is elaborated in accordance with the UN Convention on Children’s Rights.

“At present a big number of children in Ukraine are living in complicated life circumstances and need the support and assistance from the state. Such functions are laid on the bodies and services for children, yet they are the first to fall under layoffs. In many regions the amount of staff is so small it makes it impossible for them to exercise their functions,” remarked Plenipotentiary on Children’s Rights Nikolay Kuleba, giving his comments on the law signed by the President.

“Now that the law has been signed we expect the regions to make appropriate decisions in the executive sphere, and the Minister of Social Policy – to create a training and upgrading program for the staff of children’s services,” noted Nikolay Kuleba.

The staff number of children’s services of executive committees in rural, town, councils of the respective territorial communities is established on the basis of one service employee per one thousand children at maximum.

Children’s services at all levels are granted the rights of legal entities.

According to the press-service, the implementation of the law provisions will facilitate the increase of the amount of staff providing for the functioning of the state policy on social protection of children.