Interventions of the Greek Ombudsman in care institutions for children

1. George Moschos Deputy Ombudsman for Children’ Rights Independent Authority “The Greek Ombudsman” 2014, Edinburgh ENOC Annual meeting Interventions of the Greek Ombudsmanin care institutions for children

2. According to the Greek Law (3094/2003) the Ombudsman can investigate cases on violations of children’s rights both in public and private institutions, after a submission of a complaint or on his own initiative. He can also undertake activities to promote children’s rights, including visits in institutions. Since 2003 the Ombudsman has visited 32 (out of 35) public care institutions for children and 40 child care institutions belonging to ngos or the church. Many institutions have been visited more than once. Annually around 10-15 visits. The Ombudsman has received and investigated around 40 complaints concerning child care institutions. In 2 cases he conducted investigations on his own initiative. Competence and history

3. Around 3.000 children in institutions, but only a few in foster care (20-40 official new placements per year) Children stay for long (average for nearly 7 years!) Lack of officially addopted standards Weak system of accreditation, supervision and control Poor staffing (lack of social services, peadagogues and other needed specialities in many institutions) Asylic form of some institutions (especially for children with disabilities) Staff require more councelling, coaching and support Children require better information about their rights Main findings of the Ombudsman(presented in his annual and special reports)

4. Operating since 1970, the institution hosts and cares for socially disadvantaged girls aged 12-18, who, for various reasons, cannot not stay with their natural families. During the years 1998-2002 a part of the building of the institution was used for the implementation of a programme for the protection of street children. The escape of a large number of the children that were placed in the institution led to a special investigation conducted by the Ombudsman in 2003-4, and a condemnation of the Greek government by many international children / human rights institutions. Nowadays the institution hosts 28-30 girls aged 12-20, mostly placed there by prosecutors’ order. The child care institution of “Agia Varvara”

5. In July 2013 a few girls living in the institution visited the office of the Children’s Ombudsman and asked for his help / intervention, complaining for the behaviour of members of the administration towards them. The Ombudsman visited the institution without warning and discussed with the girls that were in the building at that time, as well as with members of staff. One more visit followed and a meeting with members of the administration. Then, the Ombudsman sent a letter addressing some first recommendations and decided to follow the life in the institution for a whole year, in order to form a better opinion about its weaknesses and needs. The child care institution of “Agia Varvara”

6. Throughout the year, the Ombudsman visited the institution several times, holding separate meetings with children, members of staff and the person responsible for the administration. The Deputy Ombudsman for Children’s Rights and 2 members of staff participated in these visits. They also organised an outing with the girls and members of staff. The Ombudsman suggested and observed a number of changes taking place during the year (such as the adoption and atempt for implementation of an internal regulation). Concluding his observation the Ombudsman prepared a report to be addressed to the Ministry as well as to the Board responsible for the institution. The child care institution of “Agia Varvara”

7. Children need to be regularly heard, but also to be aware of the existing rules and know that they are equally implemented by all members of staff. Responsibilities of everyone involved in children’s lives should be clearly defined. Artistic, creative and recreative activities are very important in the life of children living in institutions. Effords should be made to promote / support qualitative communication among all children and members of staff Staff need regular meetings and proper supervision, in order to respond more efficiently to their tasks and to act united. Some children with particular disorders need external psychiatric or other specialist monitoring / therapy. Placement in foster care and visits to trastworthy supervised families over week-ends is important for many children Lessons learned …..

8. In order to really know what happens in a child care institution, the Ombudsman needs: Many visits Multidisciplinary staff involved Separate time with children, members of staff, administration Comparative data Lessons learned …..