Latvia approves early screening for child development risks

Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, has approved a system to identify child development risks early and provide support, LSM reported. The measures are set out in amendments to the Child Rights Protection Law and related legislation adopted in a final reading on Thursday.

Sigita Sniķere, a consultant at the State Chancellery’s Cross-Sectoral Coordination Department, said early identification had previously been fragmented, with family doctors and preschools using separate, uncoordinated assessment methods.

The new screening will regularly assess children aged one to six, explain the results and provide recommendations to parents and specialists. Children with higher risks will receive support tailored to their needs, with their development monitored over time.

According to Sniķere, research suggests about 20 percent of children face development risks. Without structured assessment tools, only a small proportion are identified, while systematic assessment can detect up to 80 percent of early risks.

Children whose screening shows several high risks will be supported by a multidisciplinary team led by a paediatrician. The team will assess the child in greater depth, identify priority needs, develop an individual support plan with the family and provide early intervention measures.