The Polish government is preparing reforms to social assistance, prioritizing community-based services and family care over placement in care homes (DPS).
Government Prepares Changes to Care Homes: Institutionalization as Last Resort
The government is preparing significant changes to the system of social assistance, altering the rules for placement in care homes (DPS). New regulations aim to shift the focus of support from 24-hour institutions to assistance provided closer to a person’s place of residence.
Revolution in DPS Referrals: What Does the Government Want to Change?
According to the draft amendment to the Social Assistance Act and other related acts (UD315), the development of community services, training apartments, and assisted living will be prioritized. These will be available to individuals requiring constant care—previously, they did not have access to such options.
Referral to a DPS will only be possible when these forms of support prove insufficient, with exceptions made for emergency situations threatening life or health.
Children to Leave DPS: New Obligations for Counties?
A key change involves completely eliminating the placement of children in DPS facilities. In their case, counties will be obligated to provide care within family foster care.
Who Pays for DPS Stay? New Rules for Heirs and Beneficiaries
The draft also provides for a streamlining of the rules for payment for stays in DPS. Costs will first be borne by individuals who previously received property from the resident or acquired it under a lifetime usufruct agreement (within the last 10 years).
Fees will apply only to adults, and in the case of legally incapacitated individuals, the financial burden will fall on the municipality.
Neighborly Help and Streetwork: New Tools to Combat Isolation
The amendment also strengthens less formal forms of support. Neighborly services are to compulsorily counteract social isolation, and streetwork—assistance provided directly in the field—will become a new tool for working with people in a crisis of homelessness.
New Definitions and Expanded Eligibility
The project introduces new definitions, including deinstitutionalization, streetworking, and individuals requiring support in daily functioning. The circle of people eligible for assistance will also be expanded to include caregivers and individuals with addictions other than alcohol or drugs.
When Will the New Regulations Come into Force?
Public consultations on the draft are currently underway, with opinion gathering continuing until the end of April.
