Experts, policymakers and civil society representatives joined forces on 14 November to discuss how to prevent the institutionalisation of children. 130 people joined the 2024 Study Session by the European Expert Group (EEG) on the transition from institutional to community-based care. It showcased innovative policies and practices aligned with the European Child Guarantee, focusing on family support, early childhood intervention, and foster and alternative care. 

The session built on previous EEG initiatives focusing on preventing child institutionalisation like the joint statement issued in May addressing national and EU public authorities involved in the Child Guarantee implementation. Despite progress, institutionalisation remains a deep and systemic challenge, largely driven by a lack of community-based alternatives, insufficient family support, and inadequate access to education and social services. Vulnerable families, including those with children with disabilities, face the highest risks in the absence of effective systems and thousands of children live in institutions, isolated from their families, their peers, and local communities. While the EU has promoted community-based care for over a decade, the discussions highlighted the need for stronger action and guidance, particularly considering the upcoming EU budget negotiations and the ongoing implementation of the Child Guarantee through 2030. 

The Study Session featured exemplary initiatives from across Europe: 

• Preventing Child-Family Separation in Spain: Catalonia’s policy reforms have strengthened prevention services for vulnerable families, reducing the need for alternative care placements. 

• Family-Centred Early Childhood Intervention in Portugal: Portugal’s decade-long Early Childhood Intervention system, built on a family-based and transdisciplinary approach, supports children at risk of disabilities and developmental delays. 

• Developing Family-Based Alternative Care in Poland: Poland’s progress in establishing foster care systems was highlighted, along with their response to supporting Ukrainian refugee children and families. 

Each session included key experts from local governments, NGOs, and social service providers. Interactive parts of the event enabled participants to exchange ideas and explore how these models could be adapted in other contexts. 

EASPD played a leading role in organising and moderating the session on Portugal’s Early Childhood Intervention system. Maria Inês Amaro, Director of the Department of Social Development at the Portuguese Institute of Social Security, outlined the reform’s vision and coordination efforts to ensure early identification of families in need. Marta Xavier and Rosário Baetas from EASPD member CECD Mira Sintra, shared practical insights, including strengths and challenges of the reform’s implementation, illustrated through a compelling case study. They emphasised the need for consistent funding, resource allocation, and stable frameworks for professionals to achieve sustainable growth. 

In her closing remarks, Aurélie Baranger, EEG Co-Chair from Autism Europe, stressed the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the strategic use of EU initiatives, like the European Child Guarantee, to empower families and prevent institutionalisation. 

The Study Session served as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of collaboration to prioritise children’s well-being. By learning from these successes, Europe can take the right steps toward a future where all children are raised in safe, nurturing, and supportive environments.