My master's thesis examines the incorporation of the child's voice in protection procedures within the Barnahus model, which was introduced in Slovenia in 2022 through the Children's House institution. The central focus of the research was how the right of the child to participate is realized within this model, and what roles social workers and other professional profiles play in the process. Although legislation and international conventions clearly emphasize the importance of child participation as a fundamental human right, in practice, there are often discrepancies between normative provisions and their actual implementation. The child's voice is frequently heard only formally, while its substantive value usually remains overlooked.
The Barnahus model enables a child-friendly and multidisciplinary approach to protection procedures. Key findings of the research indicate that the model represents significant progress in providing a comprehensive and less burdensome experience for children in Slovenia. However, its implementation still faces various challenges. The inclusion of the children's voice varies depending on the institution, the professional training of practitioners, and their ability to create appropriate conditions for participation. The quality of inclusion and the child's experience largely depend on the competences of individual professionals and the effectiveness of multidisciplinary collaboration between the Children's House, social work centres, the police, and the courts.
The findings show that professionals recognize the need for an individualized approach adapted to the child's age, psychological and physical state, and developmental needs as crucial for effective child participation. Proper preparation of the child and the provision of a safe and supportive environment are also essential elements. Despite the formal frameworks, multidisciplinary collaboration remains inconsistent in practice, affecting the overall quality of child protection procedures. While the Barnahus model is generally recognized as important and beneficial, professionals emphasize the need for stronger systemic support, earlier involvement of the Child's House in pre-trial proceedings, and broader access to support services.
The research included professionals from various fields: a social worker from the Barnahus (Children's House), social workers from different social work centres, two police officers, and a district court judge. This diversity enabled an in-depth comparative analysis of professional perspectives and practices, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the complexity and challenges of including the child's voice in different phases of child protection procedures within the Barnahus model.
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