Evaluation and optimization of management of social and legal protection children (at risk) and families in selected regions
In connection with the transformation process in the social and legal protection of children and families (at risk), an analysis of the system of care for children at risk in selected regions of the Czech Republic has been carried out in 2010. Therefore, an extensive field research has been conducted in three pilot regions (Karlovy Vary, Olomouc and Zlín regions) consisting of (1) a survey in long-stay facilities (homes) established by regional authorities or by the respective ministry, (2) a survey in departments of social and legal protection of children in municipalities with an extended scope of activities (OSPOD), at which a qualitative analysis has been carried out, evaluating solutions of particular examples and cooperation of OSPOD and providers of other relevant services (medical, educational, legal, etc.), and (3) a survey of other stakeholders contributing via their services rendered to the work with children and families at risk. In addition to this analysis of the system of work with children and families at risk in the pilot regions, an analysis has been carried out regarding the control, funding and legal regulation of the system of care for children and families at risk at the nationwide level. The aim was to describe the functioning and problems of the entire system of care for children at risk not only at the level of real practice of the participating stakeholders but also in terms of efficiency of the control, legal provision and rational funding.
In 2011 the acquired data were utilised at the preparation of regional analyses, the purpose of which was to provide detailed information to the MoLSA and various bodies of the pilot regions. The project also paid increased attention to mutual bonds of constituent components of the system and, among other things, added to the existing data on providers of social and other services.
The results of these analyses focus on providing comprehensive information for the purposes of the system transformation at the national level, including related legislative changes, and also for further policy-making activities of the MoLSA and for the drafting of the National Action Plan for the period of 2012–2013.
Consequently, the project included an modification of the instruments for the data collection and for the analysis of the care system for children at risk, and such methodology has been designed that can be utilised both for a detailed (regional) analysis of the system and for a continuous monitoring of the entire system of care for children at risk and for an evaluation of steps made within the system transformation at the following stages.