The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro has adopted a policy and legal framework that emphasizes the importance of supporting vulnerable parents and children and preventing parent-child separation. Such measures stop children from being placed in the large-scale residential institutions that harm their development and constrain their potential. Read more at http://www.unicef.org/montenegro/media_24378.html

1. July 2013
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Montenegro has adopted a policy and legal
framework that emphasizes the importance of supporting vulnerable parents and children
and preventing parent-child separation. Such measures stop children from being placed in
the large-scale residential institutions that harm their development and constrain their
potential.
However, there are still children living in large-scale institutions in Montenegro. Although an
important decrease in the number of children without parental care in the Child Home
“Mladost”, Bijela has been noted, particularly worrisome is the fact that number of
admissions of infants is not decreasing at the same pace as older children (Figure 2).
In the life of a child, the phase until three years of age is the most developmentally
formative, and the negative effects of institutionalization can be permanent and
devastating. As part of a broader initiative launched in the European Parliament,
Montenegro joined 20 countries in the region last year in pledging to end the placement of
children under three in large-scale institutions.
Despite the best efforts of dedicated
and caring staff, it has been proven
that children who grow up in
institutions do not have equal
chances for growth and
development like other children.
Every child needs permanent contact
and attachment with parent or close
person who care for the child as per
optimal growth and development.
Given its limited capacities
institutions cannot afford this.
Children growing up in institutions
are more likely to suffer specific
delays in physical, social, emotional,
and intellectual development.
However, family reunification is simply not possible for some children. As reflected in the new Law on Social and Child Protection,
foster care expansion is one primary goal in that case. The Strategy on the Development of Fostering in Montenegro was adopted in
2012, and a mass media campaign on fostering called “Every Child Needs a Family” will be implemented later this autumn.
Small group homes (SGHs) can be a good alternative form of care for children for whom foster families cannot be found. Small
group homes provide a model of appropriate care by replicating life within a family. Children live in small groups with an adult acting
as a parent. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is establishing the first SGH in Bijelo Polje by the end of 2013, and its
construction is being funded by the U.S. Government. However, it is estimated that Montenegro needs approximately ten SGHs.
Day care centres are particularly important form of support of
children with the most severe disabilities, their parents and
families. Catalysts for real change, these centres prevent the
institutionalization of children with disability by keeping struggling
families together. Day care centres provide daily care for children
while parents are able to work and enjoy the parenthood.
All children with disability in Montenegro, regardless of where
they live, should have equal access to day care centres.
Therefore, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has
committed to expand the network of DCC in all municipalities in
Montenegro. Since 2008, the number of children and youth with
disability in day care centres increased by more than four times
(Figure 3).Source: UNICEF Montenegro, 2013.
Source: Mladost. Bijela, Montenegro. 2012