To improve support for unaccompanied children, particularly those with disabilities or at risk of developmental delays, the GUIDE project partners are starting the distribution of national handbooks and maps to service providers. For Bulgaria, the participant in this transnational initiative is the National Network for Children together with two European networks and six national organizations – from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, and Italy.
To improve support for unaccompanied children, particularly those with disabilities or at risk of developmental delays, the GUIDE project partners are starting the distribution of national handbooks and maps to service providers. For Bulgaria, the participant in this transnational initiative is the National Network for Children together with two European networks and six national organizations – from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, and Italy.
The Manuals
Building on the recently published GUIDE Training of Trainers (ToT) Manual, the National Manuals provide tailored information on the unique legal, social, and institutional contexts in the project countries. Key inclusions of each of the five reports are:
- An overview of the national legal guardianship system.
- Information on how to access healthcare, housing, and early childhood intervention services for unaccompanied children and third-country nationals.
- Peculiarities of and ways to access specialised services for children with disabilities and those with specific needs.
The manuals are structured into five modules, drawing significant inspiration from the Fundamental Rights Agency’s FRA Manual: Child Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; Guardianship in the Best Interest of the Child; Supporting Children from Arrival to Durable Solutions; Quality Standards and Accountability; Tools for Working with Children. All modules are translated into national and key refugee community languages (such as Arabic, and Ukrainian) for broad accessibility and adaptability.
The Maps
The National Maps are designed to ensure easier access to essential services. They guide guardians and caregivers through the national service landscape and categorise service providers across critical sectors, including :
- Healthcare, education, and housing.
- Social support and mental health services.
The Maps will be developed more throughout the project implementation. They feature contact details and key information and follow a flexible template, ensuring adaptability to various national legal and administrative systems. This facilitates replication across EU Member States.
Download the Map of Services HERE.
Download the National Manual HERE.
For additional information, please contact Bella Damyanova, Children’s Policies Coordinator and GUIDE Project Coordinator for Bulgaria.
