The reform of the orphanages has started, but it is not easy, the minister admits

“I don’t think that the liquidation of orphans’ courts would be the right step, but the fact that people who work in orphans’ courts could become experts on children’s rights in a unified team in municipalities is a step to be considered,” said the minister.

As the ombudsman regularly receives signals about the unethical behavior of the employees of the orphanages, he has therefore asked the LM to update and publish the code of ethics developed by the Association of Orphans’ Court Employees.

Laila Grävere, Head of the Children’s Rights Department of the Ombudsman’s Office, explained that the information received from citizens in submissions often creates disbelief as to whether such a thing is even possible at the disposal of state officials. There are several cases in which the words of orphan court employees can be considered offensive to human dignity. This is absolutely unacceptable and raises the question of whether such behavior should remain without consequences, says Grävere.

The Ministry of Welfare, on the other hand, has indicated that such cases are unacceptable and they must be evaluated by the employer of the Orphan’s Court – the municipality, in case of need, consulting with the ethics commission established by the Association of Latvian Orphan’s Court Employees.

LM has drawn the attention of the Association of Latvian Orphan Court Employees to the shortcomings and necessary additions to the currently valid Code of Ethics for Orphan Court Employees. In the view of the Ministry, the role of the Code of Ethics of Orphan Courts should be strengthened both in the process of employee training and work evaluation.

At the same time, the ministry has indicated that for the successful implementation of the code of ethics, an interested ethics commission is also necessary, which is involved not only in case of possible violations, but is also able to provide support to employees when facing challenges.