The guardianship system for minor migrants in Belgium: new challenges and solutions

The growing number of minor migrants in Belgium requires an expansion of the guardianship system. The guardianship service is actively seeking new professionals who can provide support to unaccompanied children. The increase in the number of guardians and the improvement of the protection system are aimed at adapting to modern challenges. These changes open up opportunities to improve the living conditions and integration of minor migrants.

The role of guardianship services in supporting minor migrants

In 2024, the Belgian guardianship service faced numerous challenges related to the increasing number of migrant minors. The main task was to ensure their safety, adaptation and social integration. An important stage of the work was the recruitment of new guardians, as well as the improvement of the training of specialists. These measures are aimed at creating a stable environment for unaccompanied children.

Functions of the guardianship service for minor migrants:

• Appointment of guardians: selection and training of specialists to accompany children.
• Ensuring safety: monitoring living conditions and respecting the rights of minors.
• Psychological support: organizing consultations to help with adaptation.
• Promoting integration: assistance with access to education, language courses and health care.
• Legal protection: representation of the interests of minors in judicial and administrative proceedings.

In 2024, the guardianship service took over 5,000 minor migrants under its protection. Around 1,200 new guardians were appointed, which significantly improved the efficiency of the work. These achievements give hope for the sustainable development of the guardianship system in the future. The priority remains to improve living conditions and support children in difficult life situations.

Finding additional guardians: reasons and tasks

With the increasing number of minor migrants in Belgium, there is an urgent need for additional guardians. Their task is to provide children with support, protection and help in their adaptation. The search for new specialists is aimed at solving the problem of the overload of the guardianship system and improving the quality of the assistance provided. This is an important step towards creating a safer environment for vulnerable children.

Requirements for new guardians:

• Experience working with children.
• Willingness to undergo guardianship training.
• Resistance to stressful situations.
• Flexibility in adapting to the individual needs of children.
• Knowledge of rights and obligations within the framework of migration legislation.
• Availability for long-term cooperation.

Community organizations and volunteers play a key role in the process of finding and training new guardians. They help provide professional support and advice to professionals working with children. In addition, active community involvement helps create a mutual aid network necessary for the successful integration of migrant minors. Involving such resources helps to cope with the challenges of migration more quickly and effectively.

Prospects for improving the guardianship system in 2025

In 2025, Belgium plans to introduce new measures to improve the guardianship system for migrant minors. The focus is on increasing the number of qualified guardians, improving their training and improving the conditions for the integration of children. These changes are aimed at creating a safer and more stable environment for children in difficult life situations.

List of improvements:

• Increasing the number of guardians. Hiring new specialists and attracting volunteers to expand the guardianship system.
• Continuing education. Training and continuing education courses for caregivers to improve their interaction skills with children.
• Digitalization of the system. Creation of a single database for more efficient management of juvenile cases.
• Support for integration. Organization of language courses, social events and psychological assistance for children.
• Program funding: Increased government funding to improve caregivers’ working conditions and help children.

The plans for 2025 demonstrate Belgium’s serious commitment to improving the guardianship system for migrant minors. These measures will help create a more sustainable and effective model for protecting children, strengthening their rights and ensuring a secure future. A modern approach to guardianship will help adapt to the growing number of migrants and improve their quality of life.