Minister of Family, Labour and Social Services Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk noted that the teams assigned within the scope of Mobile Social Service implementation for children, put into place on the purpose of protection and timely response to be provided for children at risk, have held 59 thousand interviews so far, of which 24 thousand are with children and stated, “Along with face-to-face education, we have resumed our school visits, which we were unable to pay for a while, following distance learning. We continue to implement our social service models targeting protection from risks concerning our children who are assessed to be in risk group as a result of the interviews we hold during our school and family visits. Furthermore, the number of our Mobile Social Service Units for Children, which was previously 174, rose to 241.”   

Selçuk noted that protective and preventive services for children at risk at schools continue to be rendered, following the school visits paid subsequent to the initiation of face-to-face education again, which were interrupted for a while due to the transition to the system of distance learning during the pandemic. 

Minister Selçuk stated that 241 Mobile Service Units for Children set up in 81 provinces have been linked with 4.123 schools, particularly schools located in disadvantaged areas of the provinces. Underlining that services are rendered for children and their families in line with their needs, following their identification by units and schools as a result of their joint assessment, Selçuk remarked, “Our Mobile Service Units for Children paid 7 thousand visits to these schools for the identification of children assessed to be in risk group.”  

59 Thousand Interviews Have Been Held, of Which 24 Thousand Are With Children

Noting that 59 thousand interviews have been held, of which 24 thousand are with children, Minister Selçuk stated, “As a result of the interviews, our social service models have been implemented for children assessed to be in risk group in order to protect them from risks. Of the children for whom actions have been taken, decision of measure on care has been demanded for 121 children, on counselling for our 879 children, on health for our 358 children and on education for our 788 children. Our 6 thousand children have been guided to social, sports and artistic activities. Moreover, over 4 thousand children were provided with economic support within the framework of Social and Economic Support service and our 618 children have been taken under monitoring within the scope of “Children Are in Safe” Program. 

12 Thousand Families Have Been Guided to Other Public Institutions and Organizations for Fulfilment of Their Needs

Selçuk also noted that counselling has been provided for 2.460 families, 4.170 families have been guided to Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation and 12 thousand families have been guided to other public institutions and organizations (Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation, ISKUR, Provincial Directorate of Health, Local Administration, Social Security Institution, Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports) for fulfilment of their needs.

How Do Mobile Social Service Units for Children Work?

Mobile Social Service Units for Children, which have been set up to protect children from risks through timely preventive efforts to be exerted, further their endeavours, linked with schools in 81 provinces. Each Mobile Service Unit for Children is linked with at least 10 schools located in disadvantaged areas of the province and villages. Mobile Social Service Units for Children identify children who have absenteeism, who are at risk of neglect and being pushed to crime or in need of social service response by holding interviews with counselling service, school management and class teacher at schools with which they are linked. Interviews are also held with families in order to specify the needs of children identified. 

Following the specification of the needs of the child and family subsequent to the interviews, protective, preventive and supportive measures are taken. In addition to professional endeavours, contact is established with relevant institutions and organizations if required. Professional endeavours for families and at schools are maintained until the elimination of the risk posed to the child.

“We Have Increased the Number of Our Mobile Teams”

Minister Selçuk also noted that the number of mobile teams rendering service to children in various risk groups on the streets rose from 139 to 274.

Mobile Teams Serve for Children Forced to Labour on the Streets

Up to the present, the Ministry reached out to a total of 23.900 children through 274 mobile teams formed for children forced to labour on the streets, with the participation of personnel of municipalities, law enforcement units and health and education employees on the purpose of prevention of child labour. Social services and aids needed by children and their families have been specified and appropriate guidance has been provided.