In Greece, the dominant model of care for children who, for various serious reasons, must be separated from their biological family is placement in institutions with strong institutional characteristics. This type of institutional care causes a series of serious negative effects on the smooth psychosocial development of children (institutionalization).
At SOS Children’s Villages, both based on our Constitution and our educational practice in Greece and internationally, we are a leading organisation that fully supports deinstitutionalization and carries out actions in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the recommendations of the relevant committee on child protection of the Council of Europe.
Since 2016, the Foster Care Service of SOS Children’s Villages has been providing support to children who grow up in foster, adoptive, or biological families, in cooperation with public authorities throughout Greece.
The aim of the programme is to strengthen the smooth integration and development of children through:
Psychosocial support from mental health specialists
Counselling for foster and adoptive parents
Guidance for professionals & institutional bodies
Connection and work with the biological family where feasible
Groups We Support:
- Children in foster/adoptive families (psychological support & therapeutic intervention)
Foster & adoptive parents (individual/group counselling)
- Professionals & foster care institutions (training & networking)
Biological families (when reintegration is possible, and communication while the child is in foster care) - Local communities & services (awareness & collaboration)
Areas of Action
- Ongoing supervision of children and their families
- Aftercare and follow-up for children and adoptive families
- Coordination of legal procedures related to foster care
- Research & evaluation to improve the foster care system
To create a safe and supportive environment for every child, SOS Children’s Villages continues to strengthen the foster care institution in Greece. You can find more information about the Foster Care and Adoption process at: www.anynet.gr
