On 27 September, 2010, EveryChild Georgia opened a new Small Group Home in the Dusheti region. The project was initiated by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and funded by UNICEF.

The need for setting up a Small Group Home in the Dusheti region emerged after an assessment of Dusheti Children’s Institution, followed by the decision of the Ministry to close down the institution and offer children alternative family based care services as a part of the ongoing process of optimization of children’s institutions throughout the country.   

The model of the SGH service is based on EvC Georgia’s experience in Rustavi city. It provides 24 hour care for 8 children aged from 6 to 18 years, looked after by two permanent and two replacement parents who ensure that the service is as close to the family type environment as possible, meeting all physical, material and developmental needs of the children. Apart from that the SGH offers “8+1” model of placement, which means 8 permanent places and one short term/emergency care placement.

For smooth running and further sustainability of the service, the project provided training of service staff in caretaking, Child Welfare issues, Child Participation and National Minimum Standards on Family Support Services.

In May, the management of the SGH will be handed to another organization, which will continue service provision as envisaged initially.