How communities are transforming social services for families with children

This was discussed on July 16-17 in Kyiv during a quarterly meeting within the framework of the Minimum Package of Integrated Social Services for Families with Children project. Representatives of the communities of Khakiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, national experts, project partners, and organizers gathered to summarize the results, share experiences, and plan next steps.

Over the course of two days, communities from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, and Chernihiv oblasts presented their best practices, shared their achievements, and discussed challenges in developing social services.

The key topics included how to create a sustainable support system for children and families in the community, which services work most effectively, and how to strengthen the team of social workers. Also discussed during the meeting were:

• a strategy for reforming social services;
• Practical experience of communities – participants heard about the creation of Centers for Social Services in Kyiv region, changes in communities in Kharkiv region, innovations in Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions (medical and social teams, psychosocial support in maternity wards);
• digital tools and mapping – new approaches to planning and analyzing social services;
• partnership with the National Social Service – the development of a qualification framework and a system of continuous training for specialists was discussed.

During the meeting, the communities themselves presented the results: launching new services, changing approaches to working with vulnerable families, and establishing day care units.

Special attention was paid to real-life transformation practices on the ground. The experience of the Kegychivska community, which has become an example and inspiration for others, was presented by Lyudmyla Kvoka, First Deputy Head of the Kegychivska community.

What has already been done in the communities?

• 22 new social services created
• 96 existing services were enhanced.

Among the programs implemented are day care for children with disabilities, support during inclusive education, crisis intervention, early intervention, and resilience building.

More than 2,700 social sector professionals and local government representatives received training, coaching, and supervision as part of the project. This helped to strengthen the professional capacity of the teams in the communities.

• 5995 unique beneficiaries, including 3499 children, received access to social services;
• 5370 people received support in the area of mental health and resilience;
• 22811 people have access to psychosocial assistance.

These are not just numbers. These are changes that today affect the lives of specific children, families, and professionals. And tomorrow, they will become part of a sustainable social support system across the country. The quarterly meeting brought together more than 40 participants from different regions of Ukraine who work every day to ensure that every child grows up in a safe environment. Joint reflection, professional dialogues and innovative approaches strengthen the partnership network and contribute to real changes on the ground.

The exchange of experience, discussion of both successful cases and problematic issues, gives communities the inspiration to move forward.

The project “Minimum package of integrated social services for families with children” is implemented by UNICEF Ukraine with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW), in partnership with the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine, Social Synergy and the Ukrainian Educational Platform.