Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy, presented the priority areas of the state’s social policy during an information event “New Horizons of Social Work” organised by the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the occasion of the World Social Work Day.

The event was attended by representatives of the public sector, higher education institutions, local governments, partner donor organisations, and the expert community.

Oksana Zholnovych defined the main mission of social policy as creating conditions in Ukraine to ensure the well-being and dignity of people in a barrier-free society through accessible and understandable services. The priority areas in the context of implementing this mission were identified as family-based childcare, access to quality social services, integration of people with disabilities into active social life, an effective system of social support, pension and social insurance, and digitalisation of services.

Analysing these areas, the Minister informed that the integration of people with disabilities into active social life should be ensured in compliance with European equality standards, in particular, through the prompt provision of auxiliary rehabilitation equipment, as well as support in employment or adaptation to professional activities.

“Our focus is on services. We have to reformat our approach and provide assistance not only to people, but also to communities as a whole. It is about sustainability and coordination of activities at the local level. In particular, we want to introduce Israeli experience and build resilience centres in Ukraine. The idea is to support volunteer communities on the ground with the involvement of social workers, managers and psychologists,” the Minister said.

Focusing on possible options for minimising the negative effects of the demographic crisis, Oksana Zholnovych noted that effective steps in this direction would be to ensure transparency of adoption procedures, review the system of raising children in family forms or family-like conditions, and improve the mechanism for providing foster families with housing.

The Minister of Social Policy explained in detail the importance of supporting the military and their families.

“Social support for our defenders should begin at the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centres (former military enlistment offices) and end with professional integration after their demobilisation. I would like to announce that the team of the Ministry of Social Policy is currently working on launching an important pilot project to create patronage services in military units. This is a unique mechanism that will help civilians adapt to the Armed Forces. At the same time, we will provide social services to military family members,” said Oksana Zholnovych.