Visit: the new social children's home in Vire, for minors placed by the courts

The needs are increasing and the Calvados department is increasing its capacity to accommodate children who are victims of family violence and removed from their parents. 40 new places are available in the new social children's homes inaugurated in Falaise and Vire, bringing to 12 the number of accommodation places in the department for minors removed from their families.

The one in Vire is installed in a temporary mobile habitat, a sort of high-end algeco. “We responded to the department's call for tenders to implement these measures relatively quickly” specifies Philippe Val, the general director of the Oeuvre Notre-Dame association who was entrusted with the management of the premises. 20 places are available “for children who are in situations of severe family violence. For them, placement is a trauma so our welcome must be as warm as possible.” continues Philippe Val.

A welcome with the marks of a family home

Inside, it is the principle of a home with common rooms, dining room, living room and kitchen but also, in a long corridor, single or double rooms for siblings. They are necessary for each child to create their own personal cocoon. “They are allowed to decorate the walls a little, often they put photos of their loved ones, because they may also miss the family”. For the moment, ten children are housed here, aged 7 to 17, supervised by six educators responsible for enforcing the rules of life, but also filling an emotional void. “We must always maintain the educational framework, we are not their parents, but a child who does not receive affect is very complicated” explains Samantha Brasseur, who is part of the management team. The young woman adapts the age of each resident with specific needs for children or adolescents. “A small preschool-primary child will be very cuddly. He will need the little evening story, this moment in the form of a ritual whereas with a teenager, it will be much more like a secret.”.

This need for attention will be even more pronounced in a few days when these children, all of whom have arrived since October, will experience their first Christmas in this home. “Everyone will be here, they won't be able to be with family, they will be here. So we are going to organize a New Year's Eve meal that is as pleasant as possible and suitable for children. Gifts are planned, we will put a good mood” anticipates Philippe Val, who does not yet know how many children will be at the table, or even of what age. A new resident will arrive on Monday, others will follow to gradually fill the site. “We are authorized to accommodate children from two years old to eighteen years old. The reality is that two-year-olds are better off in other accommodation options such as foster families. But when we have siblings with a youngest child, we are not going to tell them “you stay away”, we have the possibility of welcoming them”.

Growing investment needs since 2020

These social children's homes, now twelve in number in Calvados, offer permanent boarding care. Like educational homes rather specialized in welcoming adolescents. These are minors removed from their families because the courts consider that they are in danger. More broadly, the Department must help 6,000 children. “Around 3,000 home measures where parents are supported, but the children stay at home. But also 3,000 who are actually entrusted to us in boarding schools or with host families” explains Marie-Christine Quertier, the vice-president of the departmental council responsible for childhood, integration and the fight against poverty. There are more and more placements. “It’s true that since Covid, we have seen a significant increase. Families who have remained confined to each other still have difficulties. But there are other reasons: people report more because society is less tolerant of violence against children. And the law has changed. Now, we consider that a child who witnesses domestic violence is a child victim and these cases also happen in child protection.” explains the departmental advisor.

Child protection is one of the departments' strong competencies. Calvados devotes a total budget of 142.8 million euros, including 46 million for the reception of children in establishments, such as these new structures inaugurated this week.