Models of reintegration of children from substitute family care facilities into biological families in Europe: A comparative analysis of Latvian and Slovak facilities

Abstract

Substitute family care has attracted increasing attention globally as an umbrella concept for all categories of non-institutional care for children in situations where parents of the child, for various reasons, cannot provide the needed parental care for their children. As a substitute, it means that the idea of substitute family care is temporary, thereby creating a room for the child to return to his or her original family. It is for this reason that this study was designed to examine and explore the existing models of reintegration of children from substitute family care facilities into their biological families in a comparative context between the Republic of Latvia and Slovakia. The general objective of this research is to analyze and compare the different reintegration models implemented in Latvian and Slovak institutions for facilitating the return of children in substitute family care to their birth families with a view to ascertaining best practices, challenges, and prospects for enhancing the efficiency of reintegration processes across Europe. The study used qualitative research design. The method used in collecting data includes primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source was on field work which involves the conducting of oral interviews with practitioners, while secondary data was newspaper, magazine, internet, journals and textbooks. The population was limited to only social work practitioners who have experience in child reintegration. The sample consists of ten (10) participants from different organizations in the two countries and were selected using both purposive sampling and snowball techniques. For analysis, the data collected from the participants were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis method with the use of MAXQDA tool. The findings indicated that practitioners in both Latvia and Slovakia understands the practice and concept of reintegration. Comparatively, while Latvian practitioners emphasize proactive family engagement from the outset of the practice, practitioners in Slovakia may be more centered on institutional assessments which can sometimes limit direct engagement with families during early stages. In terms of challenges, both countries face stigma and community pressure, parents’ resistance to change and emotional attachment as challenges to reintegration. The study concludes with recommendation that calls for practitioners in Slovakia to inculcate proactive family engagement from the outset of the practice, and for the collaboration and harmonization of practice through exchange programs for practitioners. This will encourage cross-border partnerships and exchange programs between facilities in Slovakia and Latvia, allowing professionals to exchange information on experiences and best practices related to reintegration.