Kyiv has introduced a new social service designed to assist parents caring for children with disabilities. They will now be able to leave their child under the supervision of specialists to gain time for rest, medical treatment, or handling personal matters. The initiative is implemented with the support of international partners and aims to restore the resources of families who have lived for years in a mode of continuous responsibility.
Why this matters: supporting the caregivers
Marina Honda, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration (Kyiv City Council), emphasized that daily care for a child requiring constant attention often leaves parents with no time for themselves. "We talk a lot about supporting children with disabilities, but supporting the people who care for them daily is no less important," the official noted.
According to her, parents live for years in a state of continuous responsibility, postponing their own needs. The new service will allow them to at least briefly regain their strength, knowing that their child is under the supervision of specialists in safe conditions.
How the program works: the "day camp" principle
Temporary childcare will be provided on the principle of a "day camp." Instead of parents, appropriate specialists will be with the children, ensuring safe conditions, necessary care, and attention.
In the first stage of the program, the service will be provided to families raising children with disabilities aged 9 to 14. For many families, even a few days of rest can become an opportunity to undergo treatment, resolve socio-legal issues, adapt housing to the child's needs, or simply restore their resources.
Who is implementing the project and with whose support
The initiative is being implemented in cooperation with UNICEF, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (through the German Development Bank — KfW), in partnership with the Ukrainian Children's Rights Network and the public organization "Social Synergy".
Officials view such a service as an "investment not only in the well-being of parents but also in the quality of life of the entire family".
How to apply: documents and contacts
To receive the temporary respite service for parents caring for children with disabilities, it is necessary to submit a package of basic documents to the Kyiv City Center for Social Services (32/11 Mykhailo Kotelnikov St.).
Medical and special documents will also be required. Additional materials are submitted if available and necessary.
Consultation on applying for the service can be obtained by phone at the Kyiv City Center for Social Services.
Context: other support measures for families with children
It was previously reported that some children with disabilities would receive a payment of 6,500 hryvnias. The procedure for obtaining the first documents for a newborn "in a few clicks" — without queues and paperwork — was also explained. In 2026, "child" benefits in Ukraine increased — information on where and how to apply for them is already available.