Training for Children’s Home Staff – June 5, 2025

Our third training day of the year focused on a topic that unfortunately affects all children growing up within the child protection system in one way or another. Learned helplessness is almost inevitable for a child whose life circumstances are determined by external factors and who comes from a social environment where disadvantage has persisted for generations. Closely connected to this is the increased vulnerability to victimization, which is far more common among those who have experienced trauma—whether during childhood or afterwards.

The professional day began with a lecture by Ferenc Novák, educational behavior researcher and founder of gyerekneveles.hu, who examined peer influences and their role in becoming a victim.

This theme was further explored by Anna B. Aczél, former Director of the Rákospalota Reformatory and Central Special Children’s Home. Drawing on many years of experience, she provided a more practice-oriented perspective, shedding light on the complexity of victimization through several real-life cases.

A similarly practical approach characterized the presentation of Nóra L. Ritók, Director of the Igazgyöngy Foundation, who also brings decades of experience to the subject of learned helplessness. Her lecture combined analysis with a deeper understanding of the issue, placing special emphasis on the Foundation’s “treatment approach” and the power of community.

After an intensive morning, participants enjoyed a restorative lunch break. The program then continued with psychologist Tamás Földi, who, in the final presentation of the day, examined minority identity issues, focusing specifically on vulnerable social groups.

The last training session before the summer break was again fully booked, and fortunately, it seemed that the more than 80 children’s home staff members returned to their daily work equipped with practical, applicable knowledge to support the children in their care.