Training for Children’s Home Workers – Children’s Rights and Managing Escape Attempts and Violations – April 25, 2024

Our second training session of the year took place at the end of April, focusing on children’s rights, managing escape attempts, and understanding violations from multiple perspectives.

Dr. Szilvia Gyurkó, founder of the Hintalovon Foundation and an expert in children’s rights, opened the session. Her presentation provided a comprehensive look at real-life situations in children’s homes by clarifying common misinterpretations of children’s rights. She detailed what rights children genuinely have and what they cannot claim, considering both the child’s viewpoint and the responsibilities of the adults involved.

In the day’s second presentation, staff learned about official procedures and resources available in cases of rights violations. Zsuzsanna Baranyiné Fodor, from the Crime Prevention Department of the Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County Police Headquarters, offered insights into the police process when a report is filed for a missing child. She also covered other potential risks to children and emphasized the importance of effective cooperation with law enforcement. Her presentation concluded with best practices for children’s homes to strengthen their collaboration with police in reducing potential threats.

The third presentation continued to build on the day’s topic by exploring the psychological factors behind running away. Gabriella Kiss, a psychologist and deputy director of the Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County Child Protection Center, led an in-depth session on the decision-making processes and behaviors of children who attempt to run away. She offered insights into understanding these behaviors, as well as preventive and supportive approaches.

After lunch, Anna B. Aczél, a psychologist, researcher, and former director of the Rákospalota Juvenile Correctional Facility, delivered the final presentation. With extensive experience and a compassionate approach, she provided a truly engaging talk on the complex issues surrounding running away and violations. Through numerous real-life examples, she shed light on the multifaceted nature of these challenges.

As with previous sessions, this training was fully booked, reflecting the high demand for these programs. We hope that participants gained valuable insights once again, and we look forward to welcoming more dedicated children’s home workers to our next session.