The Dulich Family Case
Irpin's Child Services has withdrawn its lawsuit to terminate the parental rights of the Dulich family, whose four children were previously removed. The family has now agreed to cooperate with social workers, which will allow them to move back into a rented apartment secured for four months by volunteers using funds from the Irpin social fund. The parents are expected to collect their children and move into this new apartment this week.
The four Dulich children, aged 9 to 17, were taken into care. The incident sparked significant public debate, with conflicting reports about the reasons for their removal. One version cited social hardship, which the child services agency denied. According to the agency, the removal was a last resort after a year of unsuccessful attempts to assist the family. This case highlights the complex challenges facing social services in Ukraine following the full-scale invasion.
Action Plan and Support
The children's mother, Kateryna Dulich, expressed her commitment to reuniting the family. She viewed the rental housing as a temporary solution until their situation improves. Social services, volunteers, and the parents have developed a joint action plan aimed at helping the family adapt to new circumstances.
Mykhailyna Skoryk, a service representative, stated: 'In Irpin, we hope this comprehensive support will help the family adapt sufficiently so the children no longer face the hardships they endured over the past several years.'
Volunteers have also promised to repair one of the family's homes by summer, adding optimism to their goal of returning to a normal life.
This situation underscores the critical importance of social support for families in difficult circumstances. The withdrawal of the lawsuit demonstrates the child service's willingness to acknowledge positive changes within the family and seek pathways for their reintegration. Collaboration between volunteers and social agencies can serve as an example of how joint efforts can positively impact the lives of children and their parents, laying a foundation for a stable future.