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.
|