The Review of Materials on the Current Legislation and Practice of France in the Field of Prevention of Social Orphanhood
The review is devoted to the description of the experience of the French Republic in the field of prevention of social orphanhood, including an analysis of the norms of French legislation that allows a child to be kept in a blood family, a legally formalized system of relations between a child, guardianship authorities, foster family and biological parents. The main directions of activity and key principles of the work of specialists of the child protection system, the grounds and criteria for the temporary removal of a child from the family, the procedure for the temporary removal and placement of a child with family assistants or in non-profit organizations, the conditions for the return of a child to parents are given. At the center of the child and family protection system is a specialized children’s judicial system, which includes judicial authorities and educational services, and centers. The main life scenarios of children at risk of deprivation of parental care who have fallen into the state guardianship system are considered. At the head of all the work is the principle that the main defenders of the rights and interests of the child are his parents, and the process of providing assistance is always based on finding a clear balance between the rights of parents and the interests of the child, and the requirements for the validity of decisions made by specialists, including judges, must be strictly observed. The practice of France is of interest in connection with the reform of the system of protection of the rights of minors, including issues of guardianship and guardianship, initiated in Russia.