Protecting children's rights in Europe: what Ukrainian parents need to know

As of 2025, more than four million Ukrainians have found refuge in European Union countries. Among them are over a million children who, together with their parents, are trying to adapt to a new life. But adaptation is proving to be more difficult than it seems at first glance, especially when it comes to raising children. 

European standards of child protection are radically different from the usual Ukrainian approaches. What might traditionally be considered acceptable in Ukraine in terms of child-rearing could lead to intervention by social services and even temporary removal of the child from the family in Europe. In recent years, at least 240 such cases have been recorded, and each one is a serious challenge for the whole family. 

When traditional parenting becomes a problem 

Svitlana from Kyiv recalls a situation in Germany. At the nursery, she lightly hit her five-year-old son for disobeying her. An hour later, social workers and the police came to her home. The child was removed, and Svitlana had to prove in court that she was not a danger to her child. 

This case is not unique. European law categorically prohibits any physical punishment of children. Even a light slap can be grounds for opening a case against parents. At the same time, a child who witnesses domestic violence is automatically considered a victim. This means that even arguments between adults, if they occur in front of a child, can be grounds for intervention by social services. 

The principle of “the best interests of the child" 

The basis of the European approach is the principle of the best interests of the child. This is not a declaration, but a real criterion by which decisions are made. If social services believe that it is better for a child to be removed from their parents and placed under state protection, they have the right to act accordingly. 

This principle is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Hague Convention and other international documents. For European countries, it is an indisputable priority, regardless of the parents' nationality or the family's cultural traditions. 

Maria from Kharkiv says: “In Poland, my daughter was taken away because I had an argument with my mother. My mother went to the police, and social services decided that the child was in a stressful situation. I had to undergo psychological evaluation and parenting courses to prove that I could provide a safe environment for my daughter." 

Actions of social services and consequences for families 

Ukrainian families may attract the attention of social services more often than local families due to their lower level of awareness of local norms and traditions. 

The most common reasons for social services intervention are: 

•    Suspicion of physical or psychological abuse. 

•    A child's testimony about conflicts in the family. 

•    Complaints from neighbours about shouting or arguments. 

•    Neglect of the child's basic needs (in the opinion of the services). 

European social workers cooperate with Ukrainian consulates, request information about the family from Ukrainian social services, and engage translators and cultural mediators. In most cases — over 80% — children return to their parents after the circumstances have been clarified. 

What to do when there is a knock at the door 

If social services representatives come to your home, the main thing is not to panic. Aggression or attempts to hide something will only make the situation worse. 

The first step is to find out what exactly you are suspected of. You have the right to receive a written explanation of the reasons for the intervention. The second step is to immediately contact the Ukrainian consulate. Consular staff can provide an interpreter, help you find a lawyer and support you in communicating with local authorities. 

Oleksiy from Dnipro remembers the day when his seven-year-old son was taken away: "I didn't understand what was happening, I didn't know the language, I was afraid to say something wrong. It was only thanks to the consul and the lawyer he recommended that we were able to quickly bring our son home. It turned out that the teacher had misunderstood the child's words about how his father had “punished” him. 

Maria and Serhii from Donetsk faced the situation that while in Canada they could not obtain medical assistance for their sick infant, and then the doctor reported to social services his suspicion of improper care for the child. The child was temporarily placed with a foster family. The long process of gathering evidence and court proceedings ended happily for this family, as the baby was returned to his parents under the supervision of his grandmother, who was called from Ukraine for this purpose.   

A support network that works 

Despite the strict rules, Ukrainian families in Europe are not left without help. All EU countries have a free 24-hour hotline, 116-000, which can be called for help. Many countries provide free legal aid to low-income families. 

Ukrainian community organisations in European countries have created their own support networks. They help newcomers understand local laws, find lawyers who understand the specifics of Ukraine, and provide psychological support. 

“We understand how scary it is to find yourself in a foreign country and suddenly lose your child,” says the coordinator of one such organisation in Berlin. “Our task is to help people not only get their children back, but also learn to live by new rules while maintaining their dignity and values.” 

Not just control, but also support 

It is important to understand that European social services are not only controllers but also helpers. They provide various forms of support to Ukrainian families: from financial assistance to adaptation programmes and psychological support. 

The amount and forms of assistance vary from country to country. Some types of support are only available to EU citizens, but most programmes also cover those with temporary protection status. To find out about all the options, it is worth contacting your local social security authorities or Ukrainian non-governmental organisations. 

Adaptation as a path to safety 

The best way to avoid problems with social services is to adapt to European norms of child-rearing. This does not mean abandoning your culture but learning to combine Ukrainian values with European safety standards. Here are some practical tips:  

• Do not use physical punishment, even mild, on your child. 
• Try not to argue in front of your children. 
• Communicate actively with teachers and educators. 
• Learn the basics of local child rights legislation. 
• Do not ignore communications from schools or social services. 

The European child protection system may seem harsh, but it works in the best interests of the child. Its main goal is not to punish parents, but to create a safe environment for every child, regardless of their background. 

For Ukrainian families, this means the need to adapt, but not to capitulate. Knowing your rights and obligations, understanding European standards, and taking an active stance in interacting with local authorities is the best protection for your family. 

If your child has been taken away from you abroad or you know of such cases, please contact the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights by calling the hotline: 0800-50-17-20 and/or sending an email to: [email protected] 

Please see the recommendations of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights on where to turn in such cases.