The Vologda Region became the 44th region the Children’s Commissioner has visited as part of the nationwide inspection. Her team spent several days conducting an audit of children's institutions, communicating with parents and studying children’s cases. It was decided to focus on 68 of the 702 children living in the region’s social institutions.
During her meeting with Governor Georgy Filimonov, Maria Lvova-Belova shared with him the inspection’s recommendations and emphasised the involvement of the regional institutions’ staff in working with families: over the year, the approach to supporting families in difficult circumstances had changed, while spending on efforts to prevent orphanhood had doubled. In addition, a unified management model is being created, the non-profit sector is also developing in the Vologda Region.
Maria Lvova-Belova put forth a number of recommendations at an expanded meeting with the heads of regional agencies operating in the for the prevention of social orphanhood.
The Commissioner also held a meeting with social service organisations where children stay around the clock.
In Cherepovets and Vologda, Maria Lvova-Belova visited child support centres that help children left without parental care. She talked with the children and held a personal reception of parents.