the proposals of two elected officials from Hérault to improve child care

Kléber Mesquidathe president of the Department of Hérault, recently explained: the “savings” planned by the State will affect the finances of the community, a major player (among others) in social policies in the territory, including aid to childhood. In fact, what to fear for this activity in Hérault already under tension, as the strikes of the Houses in 2024 of childhood have revealed with, for lack of financial and human resources, children sleeping in the corridors and babies crowded together 7 or 8 per room?

No budget reduction

“No budget reduction in any case, because for the Department, child welfare is sacred,” explains Veronica Caluebadeputy vice-president for childhood and family solidarity of the Departmental Council: “In 2025, the budget for child support will even increase slightly,” she assures, confident all the same that the community, in the current context of financial restrictions will reach its limit.

17 proposals to parliamentarians

Hence the initiative launched with Fanny Dombre Costedeputy for Hérault, who will “feed back” to the government, via the National Assembly which has relaunched an audit of its Social Affairs Commission on this theme, the requests of the Department… Gathered at the Montpellier press club, the two elected officials explained that Hérault will submit to parliamentarians and ministers seventeen proposals intended to improve child protection systems.

“Proposal: integrate an amendment into the SRU law to include childcare places in the calculation of the number of social housing”

The stakes are high: in Hérault, each year, 2,800 children are placed, and it is the responsibility of the Department to take care of them. “Hérault is indeed under tension,” confirms Véronique Calueba, who assures that the department has put in place the means to follow the movement: “Since 2016, we have had to increase the child protection budget by 42%. In 2024, it stood at €203 million in 2024.”

Rapidly improve support

This budget will increase a little in 2025, but undoubtedly not enough to cope with the explosion in needs, with a social situation which has continued to deteriorate since the health crisis… Véronique Calueba and Fanny Dombre Coste have however targeted measures which would allow to quickly improve the care of children, a sector which also lacks attractiveness, causing a glaring lack of qualified personnel.

Faced with the lack of reception and accommodation sites, which ultimately constitutes the crux of the problem, the elected officials propose several measures to the State: the first consists of integrating an amendment into the SRU law (which concerns the municipalities) in order to to include childcare places in the calculation of the number of social housing units that municipalities must provide. A measure interpreted as “a win-win decision” by Véronique Calueba.

Use empty buildings

Another measure, a little more “radical”, consists of requisitioning unused land and buildings belonging to the State: “There are some in all the departments” assures Fanny Dombre-Coste: “These spaces must be We can arrange priority for child welfare. It is not only a question of welcoming children entrusted by the justice system but also of giving these young people, who will be future citizens, every chance of succeeding in life.”

Make professions more attractive

In addition to the need for new reception structures, the Department must also face the lack of attractiveness of child welfare professions. A remark which particularly concerns family assistants who welcome children into their homes. “We are proposing an increase in salaries”, indicates Véronique Calueba who completes this measure with “a recognition of the arduousness of this very time-consuming activity in the calculation of retirement rights”.

Finally, the two elected officials from Hérault believe that in this sensitive sector of activity, an effort must be made towards apprentices engaged in educator training: “We must also increase their remuneration and find a new formula. For example, with a better salary, apprentices would commit to spending 5 years in the structure where they were welcomed.”

“A first response will be provided at the end of March when the parliamentary committee submits its report…”

Furthermore, local elected officials point out a blatant lack of resources for children suffering from mental health problems: “Professionals in the sector estimate that today, 40% of children suffer from this type of problem… The Departments are not in able, with current means, to provide a targeted response for these children who sometimes do not even have the opportunity to see a child psychiatrist.

A blatant choice of society

Child welfare, a sector in crisis in Hérault as in many other departments, must be able to respond to current issues as quickly as possible. Every child who cannot be cared for according to their needs can easily fall into the street or into delinquency. For the two elected officials from Hérault, prioritizing child support is therefore also a real choice for society, “and the one we want to build”. Will the Departments, financially weakened, be heard? A first response will be provided at the end of March, when the parliamentary committee submits its report…

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