Country Profile: Poland
Total population: 38 million
Total children under the age of 15: 5.6 million
The situation of children in Poland:
For children living in out-of-family-care, Poland has both foster homes and orphanages, which are called Dom Dziecka. Children come into care for a variety of reasons including parents' alcoholism, drug use, financial issues, or abuse and neglect in the home. Most children residing in orphanages are considered "social orphans" meaning one or both parents are still living, but unable to provide proper care for them. Around 63% of all foster care placements are kinship care, where children live with members of their extended family. Of the children in care, 61% of them are school age, between 7 to 17 years old.
Poland also received over one million refugees from Ukraine, 35% of whom are children. Some of those arrived without parents in Poland.
Towards Poland Without Orphans:
Partners in Poland are gathering to form a national without orphans movement. Please email us to know more about the emerging network in Poland.
Other Information about Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and Family Care in Poland:
Better Care Network Information on Family-Based Care in Poland