Involving orphans and children without parental care in resolving issues affecting their interests: the sociological research experience

Developing a culture of children’s participation in addressing issues that affect their interests is especially important in working with vulnerable groups of children. Living in institutions for children, being left without parental care, is associated with a greater regulation of life and limitations on the scope of their influence over their living conditions. The paper presents an analysis of expert interviews and social projects aimed at involving children without parental care in solving issues that affect their interests. Experiences of experts from different Russian cities are presented, showcasing the institutions’ work on preparing children for independent life and learning to make important decisions. The possibility of expressing one’s own opinion and realizing desires in different spheres (everyday life, individualization of living conditions, creating a learning path, organizing leisure time, career self-determination) is shown. The necessity of training specialists in state institutions to involve children left without parental care in solving issues affecting their interests is noted.