Actually I can’ t count on anybody, and I don’ t really trust anybody either. I have a legal guardian, but I don’ t know either his telephone number or his Viber name, so I can’ t talk to him whenever I want.
12-year-old unaccompanied child from Afghanistan
In May 2017, child protection services in Budapest worked with SOS Children’ s Villages Hungary to start its own programme to recruit foster parents for unaccompanied children in order to be able to provide family-based care for all unaccompanied children below the age of 12, as per legal requirements.
The first unaccompanied child was placed in SOS Children’ s Villages foster care in autumn 2017, and it is anticipated that the practice will be expanded in 2018.
MAIN STRENGTHS AND KEY CHALLENGES
Non-discrimination and quality care for all children It is estimated that more than 90 % of all unaccompanied children in Hungary go missing. However, despite the existing regulatory framework, foster care arrangements have not been used for unaccompanied and separated children, even those below the age of 12. The project seeks to ensure quality care for unaccompanied children and promotes family-based care options. Unaccompanied children living in institutions and large reception facilities are at higher risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. The overall refugee programme of SOS Children’ s Villages Hungary seeks to protect the rights for all unaccompanied and separated children regardless of residence status. Nevertheless, due to recent legislative reforms, unaccompanied children above the age of 14 are detained in transit zones and do not have equal access to the national child protection systems.
Promoting the development of an integrated child protection system The project activities are implemented within the framework of the national child protection system in cooperation with the relevant authorities. This cooperation promotes children’ s rights, facilitates access to child protection and care services and strengthens the capacity of national child protection authorities to provide adequate services. Furthermore, it encourages and supports national authorities to develop an integrated child protection approach and adjust mainstream services, such as foster care arrangements, in response to the care and protection needs of unaccompanied and separated children arriving in Hungary.
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