Building a Europe for and with children

Children should grow up in their families. Sometimes this is not possible, however, when parents are unable to bring up their children or when they represent a danger to them. The child and the parents must then be separated, with the parents' agreement or on the basis of a court ruling.

Placement must always be an exception and a temporary solution. The harmful effects of institutions on child development having been demonstrated, the aims are to prevent the institutionalisation of children and to reduce the number of children subject to such measures through the development of alternatives. Rights of children at risk and in care shows the importance of this issue and the necessity of dealing with it in a sensible and cautious way, also opens perspectives for the future.

This book was prepared by Children and families, DGIII - the Directorate General of Social Cohesion

To order: Council of Europe Publishing