Regional government as a driver of change: How the Region helps mitigate family conflicts and protect children

This article analyzes the role of local government in the systemic reform of the social and legal protection of children (OSPOD), with a focus on addressing family conflicts. Using the Pardubice Region as an example, it describes the process and impacts of changes implemented between 2020 and 2023, which were aimed at reducing the administrative burden, strengthening field and team work, and increasing the child’s involvement in resolving the situation. This text is based on the evaluation of the project “Innovative Approaches to Supporting Vulnerable Families with Children in the Pardubice Region” and includes specific quantitative data regarding work organization, case duration, and collaboration with other institutions. The concluding section focuses on the follow-up phase of the project, launched in 2024, which aims to strengthen the leadership of OSPOD managers and ensure the long-term sustainability of the changes.
Keywords: local government; OSPOD; family conflict; child; systemic change