Social services for children are activities to support individuals for social inclusion and independent living, which are based on social work and are provided in the community and in specialised institutions. All persons in the Republic of Bulgaria who need support that can be provided through social services are entitled to social services. Providers of social services are municipalities and civil society organisations. Social services for children are day/hourly and residential.
In the day care services, children and their families receive professional social, psychological, pedagogical support, rehabilitation and other activities, for example to engage the free time of children with special needs in workshops.
Residential social services are a temporary place for children to live for whom there is a risk to their life and health. Children are placed after a protection measure has been taken by the Child Protection Department by order of the Director of the Social Assistance Directorate (with a time limit of one month) and a court decision.
The use of a social or integrated health-social service for residential care by a child together with his/her parent is carried out on the basis of a referral from the Social Assistance Directorate.
The child and his/her family shall be referred by the Child Protection Department to such social services in the community that meet the needs, living and social environment from which they come.
The best interests of the child are paramount in determining the need for social services.
Referral by the Child Protection Department to a social service for a child and family is free of charge.