Deinstitutionalization of Social Services for Children in Bulgaria in the Focus of Regional Development Policy

Abstract

 The aim of the study is to reveal territorial differences in the localization of social services for children and how the regional policy implemented can contribute to improving the process of deinstitutionalization. The research tasks in this article are related to the analysis of the legal framework and adopted strategic documents in the field of social services, as well as their compliance with the strategies and plans for regional development. It is also necessary to study the concentration of social services by area to provide access and address the specific territorial needs of providing social services for children. Also make proposals for integrating social policy objectives in the field of deinstitutionalization by establishing a common strategic framework for the implementation of regional development policy.  Тhe research tasks for this purpose are as follows:

-To analyze the normative bases of the adopted strategic documents in the field of social services, as well as their compliance with the strategies and plans for regional development;

-To explore the concentration of social services by area, in order to ensure access, and satisfaction of, the specific territorial needs of the provision of social services for children;

-To make proposals to integrate social policy objectives into the field of deinstitutionalization, setting out a common strategic framework for implementing regional development policy.

The focus of the study is limited to the provision of social services for children and the administrative-territorial districts in Bulgaria, where child-care homes (0-3 years old) are still functioning, and the study period is limited to the last 5 years. It is clear from the analysis that services are rarely envisaged for small settlements. Concentration is in large cities, mainly from accommodation or public support centers.