Lumos assessment of Bulgarian children

Comment: Date not sure...

The “Childhood for All” project aims to close 28 institutions for children with severe and complex disabilities and create 194 replacement services. This is a large-scale and complex undertaking and from the outset, the project team have been supported by Lumos. Initially, we supplied additional resources and methodology to make the first detailed assessment of each child’s needs. We then interviewed the childrens’ parents to assess the level to which they were willing and able to reestablish and maintain contact with their child. We are now in the process of assisting with the second assessment of each child to determine whether they should be placed with their family, relatives, in foster care or in one of the new community-based services being established around the country. Eventually Lumos will be involved in preparing each for their new placement.

As this process continues, we are advising the Bulgarian government on the additional steps necessary for deinstitutionalisation to be successful. Creating new services is just a first step. The eventual aim must be to develop these new community-based centres into loving and secure environments where children with disabilities can reach their full potential and participate in the life of the community.

We have now also begun work on “Direction: Family”, the National Action Plan’s second project, which aims to transform eight out of 32 “baby institutions” for children aged 0 to 3 years.

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