A family for every child

Better Care Reform in Ukraine

Just in a family, a child learns the most important things: to trust, communicate, explore the world, and prepare for life in society

Ukraine is transforming the child care and support system so that every child grows up in a family environment where they feel support and confidence in themselves

Why family-based care matters more
than institutional care

Many children enter care simply because necessary services are not available nearby or because their families are facing difficult life circumstances

Institutional care cannot replace a family. That is why the state must support families so that children can remain with their biological parents.

If it is possible to return a child from an institution to their family safely, the state must facilitate this

And if such a possibility does not exist — due to the loss of parents or because support efforts have not been effective — the state must ensure a family-based form of care for the child.

How is the reform implemented?

Strengthening support for families

So that children are not separated from their parents

Development of family-based care and adoption

Instead of institutional care

Creation of quality services nearby

So that families receive support in time

Transformation of institutional care facilities

To meet the needs of children and families in communities

Support for children affected by the war

Safe return, support, reintegration

Support for young people from institutional care

Education, assistance with adaptation and housing, mentoring

Documents defining the direction of the Better Care Reform

Ukraine has a clear goal: to build a system where every child grows up in a family, and every family receives the support it needs. To make this a reality, the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted the Strategy for Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment and an Operational Action Plan.

(2024–2028)

Strategy for Ensuring Every Child’s Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment

A framework document that defines the vision, goals, and approaches of the reform.

View the document

(2024–2026)

Operational Action Plan for 2024–2026 for the Strategy implementation

A plan that outlines steps, timelines, and responsible authorities — and details how changes will be implemented (from new legislation to the introduction of services in communities).

View the document

6 strategic objectives of the Better Care Reform

01
Enhancing the capacity of families to care for and raise children, to ensure a safe and supportive environment for their development
02
Ensuring that orphans and children deprived of parental care, including children with disabilities, grow up in a family environment
03
Ensuring family-based care for children who have been returned or evacuated to safe regions of Ukraine (temporarily displaced, forcibly displaced, or deported children, as well as children from temporarily occupied territories or active combat zones), and their integration into community life
04
Safeguarding the rights and best interests of children during the reformation of institutions providing institutional care and upbringing, while preserving and redirecting the resources of such institutions to support children and families with children in communities
05
Ensuring opportunities for children and individuals with experience of alternative care to build social relationships that support their successful integration into community life
06
Creating organizational and legal conditions to ensure the implementation of this Strategy

Key indicators for monitoring the Strategy

The monitoring system includes 38 indicators grouped by strategic objectives.

View the dashboard

The reform covers the entire country

The Strategy is mandatory for every region. Regions have already approved action plans for implementing the Strategy. In 13 regions, new models of support for children and families are being piloted to roll them out nationwide.

Click on a region to view its regional plan

Together we are building Ukraine for every child

The Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development coordinates the implementation of the reform. We bring together the efforts of national authorities, local self-government bodies, civil society organisations, and international partners at all stages of change. The reform is being implemented in phases, is a strategic priority of the state, and forms part of Ukraine’s path towards EU accession.

Our partners

The reform is implemented with financial support from the EU and UNICEF, in cooperation with national authorities, local self-government bodies, civil society organisations, and international partners.