Krizni centri za predšolske otroke in prikrita institucionalizacija otroštev v Sloveniji : diplomsko delo

Jurca, Hana (author), Mešl, Nina (mentor), Šeme, Mojca (comentor)

Krizni center Palčica oziroma Hiša zavetja Palčica (v nadaljevanju KCO Palčica) je zakonsko opredeljen kot del socialnovarstvenih storitev in programov. Namenjen je varni in kratkotrajni namestitvi otrok v akutni stiski, ki potrebujejo takojšen umik iz domačega okolja (Zakon o socialnem varstvu, 1992). Kratkotrajnost namestitve otrok v KCO je formalno omejena na 21 dni (Šelih, Mazovec in Drenik Bavdek, 2022). Kljub temu statistični podatki kažejo, da otroci v KCO Palčica bivajo vse dlje, najdaljša dokumentirana namestitev pa je bila kar 379 dni daljša od priporočene (Center za socialno delo Ljubljana, 2024). Diplomsko delo opisuje prikrito institucionalizacijo predšolskih otrok ter pojasnjuje vlogo KCO v slovenskem sistemu varstva otrok in družin s podsistemom zaščite otrok (v nadaljevanju sistem SVOD/zo). Prikazuje podatke, ki osvetljujejo dolgotrajnost nastanitev, obravnava vzroke za nastanek te problematike in posledice dolgotrajne institucionalizacije za otroke. Koncept prekrite institucionalizacije predšolskih otrok je v diplomskem delu pojasnjen skozi neujemanje med zakonodajo, priporočili in dejanskim stanjem v praksi, na primer med normativi, usmerjenostjo k deinstitucionalizaciji in prednostnim nameščanjem otrok v rejniške družine ter dejansko prakso, v kateri so otroci v KCO nameščeni dalj časa z vedno daljšimi obdobji namestitve. Teoretični uvod sem nadgradila z lastno raziskavo, ki sem jo izvedla med zaposlenimi in zunanjimi sodelavci (študenti) v KCO Palčica. Raziskovala sem, kako oni vidijo dejavnike, ki prispevajo k dolgotrajni institucionalizaciji predšolskih otrok v Sloveniji, kako se posledice dolgotrajne institucionalizacije izražajo pri otrocih in kako se je zaradi dolgotrajne institucionalizacije spremenilo delo intervjuvancev v KCO Palčica (ali je dolgotrajna institucionalizacija vplivala na njihovo delo in če je, na kakšen način).

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: sistem socialnega varstva otrok in družin s podsistemom zaščite otrok, institucionalna oskrba, namestitvene prakse, retravmatizacija otrok, sistemsko zanemarjanje otrok, deinstitucionalizacija
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: FSD - Faculty of Social Work
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [H. Jurca]
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 233 str.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186125
• UDC: 364.63-053.4
• COBISS.SI-ID: 305101315
• Publication date in RUL: 27.08.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Crisis Centers for Preschool Children and the Hidden Institutionalization of Childhoods in Slovenia

Abstract

The Palčica Crisis Centre, also known as the Palčica Shelter House (hereinafter referred to as KCO Palčica), is legally defined as part of Slovenia’s social welfare services and programmes. It provides safe, temporary accommodation for preschool children in acute distress who require immediate removal from their home environment (Zakon o socialnem varstvu, 1992). Placement in the crisis centre is formally limited to 21 days (Šelih, Mazovec, & Drenik Bavdek, 2022). However, statistical data indicate that children are remaining at KCO Palčica for increasingly long periods, with the longest documented placement exceeding the recommended duration by as much as 379 days (Center za socialno delo Ljubljana, 2024). This bachelor’s thesis examines the hidden institutionalisation of preschool children and explains the role of crisis centres within the Slovenian child and family welfare system and its child protection subsystem (hereinafter referred to as the SVOD/zo system). It presents data highlighting the prolonged nature of placements, discusses the causes of this issue, and examines the consequences of long-term institutionalisation for children. The concept of hidden institutionalisation of preschool children is explained through the discrepancy between legislation, professional recommendations, and actual practice. In particular, it highlights the mismatch between prescribed standards, the commitment to deinstitutionalisation and the prioritisation of foster care placements, and the reality in which children remain in crisis centres for increasingly extended periods. The theoretical section is complemented by original research conducted among employees and external collaborators (students) at KCO Palčica. The study explored how they perceive the factors contributing to the long-term institutionalisation of preschool children in Slovenia, how the consequences of prolonged institutionalisation manifest themselves in children, and how long-term institutionalisation has changed their work at KCO Palčica. It also examined whether prolonged institutionalisation has affected their work and, if so, in what ways.

• Keywords: child and family welfare system with a child protection subsystem, institutional care, placement practices, child retraumatisation, systemic neglect of children, deinstitutionalisation.