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 November 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.

Cyprus: New programme to promote schools’ collaboration with social partners

The minister with responsibility for education in Cyprus (Υπουργείο Παιδείας, Πολιτισμού, Αθλητισμού και Νεολαίας) has launched a new programme: ‘Adopt a School’ (Υιοθετώ ένα σχολείο). This programme aims to improve and upgrade the daily lives of school communities by encouraging social partners (such as enterprises and other organisations) to support schools. 

The ministry has also released an educational toolkit with practical recommendations and ideas to support the effective implementation of the programme in schools.

Denmark: New bill on temporary child support proposed

On 6 November, the Danish minister in charge of social affairs (Beskæftigelsesminister) proposed a bill to grant temporary child allowance to support nearly 28,000 children from families who receive the lowest benefits. The grant of DKK 250 million (around €33 million) is particularly designed to help support children from single parent families.

Furthermore, the government has announced the establishment of a ‘benefit commission’ (ydelseskommission) that will make recommendations for a new permanent benefit system.

Finland: Action plan for the prevention of violence against children

The minister with responsibility for social affairs (Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö ja Terveyden) has announced a new action plan for the prevention of violence against children. Entitled ‘Non-Violent Childhoods’ (Väkivallaton lapsuus), this action plan targets children and young people under 18 and includes a particular focus on ensuring the early identification and prevention of violence against children, including by helping parents manage and recognise their own childhood adverse experiences. The action plan will be implemented from 2020 until 2025.

France: New national strategy for child protection

The French government has adopted a national strategy for child protection (Stratégie nationale de prévention et de protection de l’enfance). This strategy will be implemented between 2020 and 2022 and aims to ensure that all children have the same opportunities and rights to health, education, emotional security, and autonomy, through wide-ranging policy initiatives that will involve a number of different government departments.

Germany: Federal government adopts draft bills to facilitate adoption

On 6 November, the federal cabinet (Bundeskabinett) adopted two draft bills that aim to facilitate adoption and support adoptive families.

One bill (Entwurf des Adoptionshilfe-Gesetzes) proposes measures that expand the support offered to all parties involved in an adoption, encourage open adoption, and strengthens regulations around adoption agencies.

The second bill makes it possible for the partners of parents to adopt their partners’ children without the need to get married first (Gesetzentwurf zur Stiefkindadoption).

Germany: Dedicated fund for full-time childcare established

The German federal cabinet (Bundeskabinett) has announced the establishment of a new dedicated fund for the expansion of all-day education and childcare provision for primary school children. Organised through the federal states (Länder), the fund will serve as a forerunner to a nationwide legal entitlement to full-time care for children of primary school age that will be introduced by 2025.

Ireland: Publication of report on open adoption

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has published a report that includes results of a review and consultation on the potential introduction of open or semi-open adoption (where post-adoption contact between the adoptive and birth families is possible and encouraged from the point of adoption).

The report recommends a number of measures designed to provide support to families willing to take part in open or semi-open adoption. The minister has committed to implementing these recommendations, following consultation with the relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Lithuania: Changes to maternity benefits

Following a constitutional court ruling, the Lithuanian government has implemented amendments to the law on maternity social insurance which will make it easier for women who lose their jobs during pregnancy to receive maternity benefit.

Spain: New awareness-raising campaign to tackle violence against children

From 14 to 24 November, the ministry in charge of social affairs (Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social) ran a campaign designed to raise awareness against violence towards children. Called ‘Grow without violence to live without fear (‘Crecer sin violencia para vivir sin miedo’), the campaign was launched in response to the 30^th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Slovenia: Changes to parental and paternity leave   

The minister with responsibility for family policy (Ministrstvo za delo, družino, socialne zadeve in enake možnosti) has announced amendments to the law that governs family leave in Slovenia. The proposed amendments include extending paternity leave to 10 days following the birth or adoption of the child and extending the right to take parental leave (of up to 30 days) to foster parents. The amendments also include an increase to the minimum maternity, paternity and parental benefit amounts.

UK: More funding for young people leaving care

The Education Secretary has announced that increased funding will made available to young people who are leaving care. In total, an additional £19 million (approximately €22.3 million) will be spent on activities to support young people leaving care to access stable housing, independent living support and further education. 

Europe: Europe-wide survey on toys and gender stereotypes launched

On the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day, COFACE Families Europe launched ‘Toy stories’: the first ever Europe-wide survey on toys and gender stereotypes. The survey, which is available in 13 languages and will remain open until Christmas 2019, is part of COFACE’s Toys and Diversity campaign, which highlights the need to give children a gender-neutral place to play.

Europe: New toolkit on youth participation released

The Youth of European Nationalities organisation has published a Toolkit on Youth Participation for use in seminars, projects and workshops with young people who want to participate in the political life of their community. Developed with the support of the European Youth Foundation and the Council of Europe, the toolkit delves into the concept of youth participation, its different versions and practical applications.

Europe: Report highlighting importance of training in the quality of ECEC

Eurofound has recently published a comprehensive report on the major recent developments and future challenges in quality of life and public services in Europe. Amongst other subjects, this report highlights the relevance of continuing professional development (CPD) for the quality of interactions of staff and the outcomes for children in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). The report also includes important insights regarding young people’s inequalities in access to health and social services.