Children with disabilities in Croatia - a three-point perspective

One of the challenges the Croatian social policy meets is the implementation of social and human rights models, with the objective of improving children with developmental problems and their families' life quality. Early... [ view full abstract ]

One of the challenges the Croatian social policy meets is the implementation of social and human rights models, with the objective of improving children with developmental problems and their families' life quality. Early intervention provided in the social care system in Croatia was transposed into a legal framework in 2011, with the aim of improving the developmental outcomes and also preventing possible Child Displacement along with other measures which try to avoid separation from the family and placement in the institution. Although one of the basic conditions for providing that - clear legal framework- exists, the situation in the field is disturbing in terms of children’ rights protection. In order to have a perspective of children with developmental problems rights a quality survey was conducted. Participants were employees in the social care system (N=12) and in the health protection system (N=11) public policy makers (relevant Ministries and Ombudsman, N=8). The methods used were Triangulation and Data Integration, in order to attain more precise descriptions and understanding of the situation in Croatia. The results indicate the following: low-level participation of children and families in care planning and application, non-existent networks and shifting responsibilities among stakeholders, non-efficient coordination of crisis situation and unbalanced interpretation of legal provisions and low level services available to such children. This paper contributes to the understanding of risk factors in attaining children’ with developmental difficulties rights at the level of the systems scrutinized. Finally, the paper gives clear guidelines to develop working models which should be implemented in order to improve children’ rights protection situation, prevent Child Displacement and accelerate the process of deinstitutionalization of children with difficulties.