The European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC) presents a round-up of the latest developments in child and family policy in EU member states in February 2019.

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Each piece of news contains a link to the original source, which may be in a language other than English. In most cases, they are press releases from the relevant ministries.

EU: New reports on parental leave uptake and parental leave discrimination published

The European Equality Law Network (a European network of legal experts on gender equality and non-discrimination) has released a new report on behalf of the European Commission, entitled ‘Family leave: enforcement of the protection against dismissal and unfavourable treatment’.

This report examines the problems of discriminatory treatment in the context of family leave (including, for example, the dismissal of pregnant workers) and highlights that such discrimination affects many people in practice.

The report recommends that EU and member state authorities give greater focus to policies and programmes that involve facilitating access to childcare and challenging gender stereotypes.         

Eurofound has also released a report analysing the uptake of parental leave by fathers across the EU. This report draws upon national statistics about parental leave uptake and finds that while paternity leave entitlements have increased in most member states over the last decade, uptake of paternity and parental leave by fathers has not risen to the same extent.

While some countries have made progress in increasing the share of fathers taking parental leave, other countries lag further behind.

EU: New initiative on inclusive education for children with disabilities

The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative  called ‘Europe CARES: Inclusive Quality Education for Children with Disabilities’ which aims to ensure that the right of children and adults with disabilities to be educated together their peers is guaranteed across the European Union.

The organisers of the initiative call upon the EU to draft a bill on a common EU framework of inclusive education.

The registration of this Initiative begins the process of collecting signatures and statements of support across member states, before the European Commission decides whether or not to consider and develop the initiative further.

Croatia: Plans to increase maternity and paternity leave pay announced

The Minister for Demography, Family, Youth and Social Policy has announced plans to introduce full pay for all 12 months of maternity leave, as well as 10 days of paid paternity leave.

The plans aim to enable equal access to the labour market for men and women and to encourage an equitable sharing of parenting roles.

Croatia: Third session of the Children’s Council held

The third session of the Children’s Council  was held on 26 February 2019. The Council was established in 2017 with the remit of monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for Children’s Rights. It meets at least once a year and includes representatives from state administration bodies, universities, the third sector and children.

Discussions focused on the theme of children’s participation in the education system. In particular, the problems encountered by children with disabilities and behavioural problems were recognised as areas where improvement was needed.

Denmark: A new government scheme helps children explore their country

The project ‘Kend dit land’ (‘Know your country’) has been launched in Denmark. Federal funding will be available for municipalities to spend on organising mini-trips for fourth-grade children to places throughout Denmark.

The project aims to allow Danish children to better explore the culture, nature and history of the country. Following a pilot with 3000 children in 2018, this programme has now been rolled out nationally.  

Germany: Launch of a new federal childcare programme

On 1 February, the Federal Family Minister announced ‘ProKindertagespflege’, a new federal childcare programme that will see €22.5 million spent across 43 areas by 2021 to support day care for children.

The programme focuses on three areas: the qualifications of child care workers, better working conditions, and building a coordination office for youth welfare offices.

Greece: New school guide created to help families starting school

The Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs has created a School guide for students of public kindergartens and primary schools.

The guide, aimed at parents and guardians, will aim to raise awareness about practical issues associated with children’s registration to school, communication with the school, and the existing support services which are available to them.

Hungary: Child support and interest-free loans available for more Hungarian families

The Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs has announced plans to extend the Family Housing Support Programme (CSOK). All married couples under the age of 40 who decide to have children will be eligible for child support and an interest-free loan.

Repayment of this loan will be delayed upon the birth of each child and cancelled entirely after the birth of the couple’s third child.

In addition, the announcement revealed plans to extend the housing subsidies that are available to cover used properties as well as newly built ones.

Italy: Launch of anti-cyberbullying campaign on Safer Internet Day

On Safer Internet Day, 5 February 2019, a new ‘Stop Cyberbullying’ campaign was launched by the Department for Family Policies in collaboration with the Istituto degli Innocenti.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of cyberbullying and provides toolkits to parents.

Lithuania: New Law on Fundamental Rights of Child Protection approved by Parliament

The Lithuanian Parliament has approved a Law on Fundamental Rights of Child Protection. This law promotes the right of a child to grow up in their biological family and to maintain family relationships by clearly defining the circumstances in which children can be legally removed from their family.

The Parliament will vote for a final time on this legislation in spring 2019.

Malta: Child Protection Act progresses through Parliament

The Child Protection Act has moved onto a second reading in Parliament, following some amendments after public consultation.

The bill, proposed by the Minister for Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, includes a number of changes to current legislation. These include making the process of adopting a child easier for foster parents, establishing a ‘special guardian’ for the most vulnerable children, and creating a mandatory reporting duty around child abuse for all professionals.

The Netherlands: New national campaign launched against domestic violence and child abuse

A new national campaign calling upon people to take action if they suspect child abuse or domestic violence was launched in the Netherlands in February 2019.

The campaign, ‘Het houdt niet op, totdat je iets doet’ (‘It won't stop until you do something’), aims to encourage people to act upon any suspicions that someone close to them may be a victim of abuse.

Poland: New government programme provides hot meals to children

A  new programme 'A meal at home and at school’ has been launched by the Polish government. Between 2019 and 2023, the central government will fund a free hot meal for children and adolescents at school, as well as for the elderly and disabled in their own homes.

This programme will eventually replace the current ‘State aid for nutrition’ programme.

Slovakia: More money made available for children in foster care

From January 2019, more money will be allocated to foster parents in order to support the children they look after. In addition, the amount offered per child now depends on the age of the child.

Spain: Action plan launched for Spanish Youth Strategy

The Minister of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare has announced plans to develop Spain’s Youth Strategy by developing an action plan that aims to align with the new EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027.

The action plan recognises that young people have the highest risk of social exclusion in Spain and aims to build a socially just, cohesive and sustainable society.

United Kingdom: New schemes begin to help care leavers access education and employment

The UK government have launched a social impact bond scheme that provides funding to projects designed to help young people who are leaving local authority care to move into further education, training or employment and to live independently.

The projects include several strategies, including providing specialist advisers for these young people, building employment toolkits, and developing support packages.

United Kingdom: Plans to extend legal protection to parents on leave released for public consultation

Proposals to give greater legal protection to pregnant women and new parents returning to work have been opened for public consultation in the UK.

The government proposes extending the legal protection against redundancy that pregnant women and new mothers on maternity leave currently receive to continue until six months after their return to work.

Currently, the protected period ends after the parent returns to work. In addition, the government is consulting on allowing these benefits to be extended to parents returning from adoption leave or shared parental leave.

This news item was developed for the European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC).