Role romské etnicity v procesu zprostředkování náhradní rodinné péče
The role of Roma ethnicity in the process of arranging substitute family care

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the partial results of research that focused on the process governing the arrangement of substitute family care in the Czech Republic, with special regard to Roma children. Employees of the social and legal child protection institutions of regional authorities and so-called municipal authorities with extended powers were asked for their qualified estimates of the number of children (overall and especially Roma children) for whom substitute families were secured in 2020, and to share their experiences regarding the substitute family arrangement process. The results of the survey revealed that in 2020, approximately two-fifths of such children related to the Roma ethnic group. According to qualified estimates by the staff of the respective authorities, the proportion of Roma children who are provided with some form of substitute family care is lower than for the children of the majority population. The reason is, generally, the lack of applicants who wish to provide substitute care and, moreover, the very small proportion of them who are willing to accept a Roma child. This is usually because of applicants' concerns about the non-acceptance of Roma children in their immediate environment and in the majority society in general, the potential reaction of the biological family and cultural differences.

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