Comprehensive research in the field of protection of children’s rights
The project focuses on selected sub-topics in the area of social and legal protection of children and substitute family care in connection with the research needs of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs related to the fulfillment of the goals of the Government-approved National Strategy for the Protection of Children’s Rights 2021–2029 (Resolution No. 1323 of December 14, 2020) and tasks outlined in the I. action plan to fulfill the National Strategy for the Protection of Children’s Rights 2021–2029.
Topics are selected according to the current needs of the client.
Within the framework of the project, research was conducted on the following topics:
- supervised contact (2025);
- foster care in public opinion (2024);
- causes and contexts of child placing outside the family (2023–2024);
- identifying barriers in Roma children’s access to placement in substitute family care (2023, 2024, 2027).
FAQ Ethnicity in NRP – Purpose and method of collecting ethnic data in the field of foster care. (only in CZE)
Outputs
Supervised contact
The research aimed to map how this service is currently being implemented in the Czech Republic across regions and different forms of family arrangements. It focused on the ways in which supervised contact and supervised handover are used in the context of family law, substitute family care, and post-divorce or post-separation situations, as well as on the roles played by individual actors in their implementation.
In particular, the research examined the scope of service provision, organisational and staffing arrangements, funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, links to judicial decision-making practices, and cooperation with authorities for the social and legal protection of children (OSPOD). At the same time, it addressed the needs, limitations, and burdens associated with the service for providers, parents, children, and other involved stakeholders, including judges and OSPOD social workers.
Foster care in public opinion
The research focused on attitudes of the Czech public towards substitute family care, with an emphasis on foster care. Its objectives were to map the level of public awareness, identify persistent myths and barriers related to entering the role of a foster carer, and assess the potential of the public to expand the pool of substitute parents. The research framework also included perceptions of the legislative framework governing foster care and the public’s awareness of the basic rights and obligations of foster carers and biological parents.
Causes and contexts of placing children outside the family
The research examined the causes of placing children outside their family of origin in the Czech Republic and mapped their trajectories through the substitute care system. It explored not only the extent of this phenomenon and the characteristics of children placed in substitute care, but also the circumstances within their families, cooperation with OSPOD, and the involvement of other support services before and after placement. The issue was approached from multiple perspectives: in addition to OSPOD professionals and other expert stakeholders (including judges), the research also incorporated the perspectives of young people with direct experience of living outside their family. The study further includes recommendations aimed at improving work with families at risk, strengthening prevention, and enhancing the effectiveness of service planning within the system of social and legal protection of children.
BARVÍKOVÁ, Jana & Pavel BAREŠ, 2024. Causes and contexts of placing children in alternative forms of care. Praha: RILSA. (only in CZE)
Workshop Causes and contexts of placing children in alternative forms of care. 17 October 2024
Identifying barriers in Roma children’s access to placement in substitute family care
The placement of children of Roma ethnicity into forms of substitute family care represents an important yet often overlooked issue. This area of research is based on the monitoring of qualified estimates provided by staff of regional authorities and municipalities with extended competencies regarding the total number of Roma children registered for placement in substitute family care. These data are complemented by sociological research into the experiences and attitudes of professionals working in the field of substitute family care.
14th Olomouc autumn sociological conference. 8–10 October 2025
Children of the Roma ethnic group in foster care – the role of accompanying organizations. Barbora Musilová (only in CZE)
MUSILOVÁ, Barbora & Jana PALONCYOVÁ, 2024. Providing foster care for children of the Roma ethnic group. Praha: RILSA. (only in CZE)