The Fragmented Deinstitutionalisation of Russian Child Welfare

The essay discusses the ongoing child welfare reforms in Russia, conceptualised as deinstitutionalisation, which link Russia closely to international trends in child rights-based child welfare systems. Drawing from the neo-institutional framework, we ask what kind of institutional change has followed the new ideals of care, with what consequences, and what factors explain the obvious flaws. The essay is the outcome of two research projects and discusses their main findings. We argue that ideational shift is real at the policy and programme level; however, the overall execution remains sporadic and fragmented. The essay discusses four factors that affect the fragmentation of deinstitutionalisation, including an authoritarian political regime, a kinship-like understanding of foster care, the subordinate position of children’s rights to other rights and interests, and a low level of societal trust.