It is a small center for temporary placement where short-term social services are provided in an environment close to the family one. The main priority of the service is to prevent child’s abandonment and to protect child’s right to keep his/her family relationships. The protection measure within the Unit gives a mother an opportunity to adapt, to feel and strengthen the bond to her own child. This is the way in which child’s placement in a specialized institution is prevented.  

The Unit also offers temporary shelter and support to pregnant women in their late months of pregnancy (7-9 month) as well as to mothers with children aged 0 to 3 who because of some social, psychological, medical or other reason or just unsupported women are identified as women at risk of abandoning their children. Services are mainly towards meeting their daily needs, providing social psychological support and preparation for integration. The capacity of the Unit is 8 mothers placed together with their babies.  

The Unit is not self-existing structure but rather a service that is part of the community and that aims to prepare the integration of a mother. That is why it is also important the attitude of the community towards a mother in a different situation to be changed as well and the risks from isolation to be decreased.  

The following services are provided at the Unit:

• temporary shelter up to six months;
• 24 hour professional support  and information;
• Social consultations and mediation – support during the pregnancy and after the birth to mothers identified at risk of abandoning their children; pregnant women courses for women all over the Stara Zagora municipality;  strengthening the bond between baby and mother; support in developing skills to become independent; accompanying to health and other authorities and organizations; trainings in parental skills and caring for a baby skills; family planning consultations-  reproductive health, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases;       
• Psychological consultation and support;
• Juridical consultations;
• Co-operation to get access to health or medical services;
• Material support for some women placed (depends on the specific case)- providing food, cloths, medicine, etc.