The dissertation is a systematic study of a cluster of existing problems in reforming the system of institutional care for children of socially vulnerable categories. The problems of the system of institutional care of children of socially vulnerable categories are singled out in the work, the concepts of research are defined, and also innovative ways of reforming of system of institutional care of children of socially vulnerable categories are offered.
It was found that the state social policy in Ukraine is aimed at taking into account international requirements and social standards aimed at improving the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of children in the context of their social protection, children deprived of parental care, children with disabilities, orphans, children in difficult life circumstances, as well as children with special educational needs who have complex developmental disabilities. In addition, such state policy should be aimed at: forming an effective network of family-type institutions, taking into account the needs of the local community; foster families; creation of innovative institutions for the development and socialization of children in families, as well as children who are temporarily outside the family; formation of a system (network) of preventive social services aimed at identifying and diagnosing disadvantaged families in order to correct the behavior of family members; formation of psychological services within territorial communities in order to adjust the position of the family in the community, the formation of a favorable psychological climate for the development of children in families; formation of effective relations with civil society institutions that take care of children's problems, upbringing and socialization of children in biological families; support for families with children for the purpose of comprehensive development of the child, etc.
It has been established that one of the effective alternatives to institutional care practiced in foreign countries is the maintenance of orphans and children deprived of family care in family-type orphanages, foster families and «foster» families. At the same time, attention is focused on issues of social support for such homes and foster families, providing them with material assistance, housing, and appropriate support in the upbringing of children with special needs.
The modern mechanisms of reforming the sphere of institutional care of children in Ukraine, namely: organizational, legal, social, financial, motivational, innovative, are singled out and characterized.
A systematic analysis of legal documents of Ukraine, international agreements on the formation of state policy in the field of education and development of children, including the regional aspect of the formation of institutions for the care and development of children raised outside families, as well as mechanisms of public administration, aimed at regulating the processes of upbringing and development of children, including outside families, etc.
The normative and legal aspect of the implementation of the reform of institutional care of children formed in the Lviv region to implement the National Strategy for reforming the system of institutional care and education of children for 2017-2026.
