French Rights Advocate Urges Action on Child Protection Failures

A report by Claire Hédon highlights worsening conditions in child welfare with over 30 recommendations for urgent reform.

The Défenseure des droits, Claire Hédon, has issued a 60-page report detailing severe shortcomings in France's child protection system.
The report follows the 2024 suicide of a 15-year-old girl placed in unsuitable housing, which underscored systemic failures in child welfare.
Key recommendations include increased funding for departments, more social workers in schools, and better resources for the judicial system to address delays.
The report emphasizes the need for non-discriminatory care, particularly for unaccompanied minors and children with disabilities, who often face exclusion.
Concerns were raised about insufficient access to mental health care for affected children and the need for tailored support for young adults leaving the system.