engleski

Characteristics of Extrafamilial Care in the Republic of Croatia

Situation of practice of extrafamilial institutional care and treatment of children and youth inclined to behavioural disorders with manifest behavioural disorders has been very rarely a subject of scientific research in Croatia. Therefore, the goal of this study is to determine and analyze the situation of practice of extrafamilial institutional care and treatment concerning basic conceptual issues such as determining the goals and fields of activity of institutions for care and/or treatment. The research is conducted on a sample of 46 institutions/departments from the category of social welfare institutions: children homes, educational centres and educational homes from the whole territory of the Republic of Croatia. The said institutions were evaluated by their directors/heads by filling in the questionnaire on extrafamilial care, drawn up according to the model of "twelve variables" by L. Fulcher (1996). Results were presented and interpreted at the level of marginal frequencies. The research has shown that majority (74%) of the observed institutions have no recognizable theoretical framework at the background of their practical programmes. Priority field of action are personal transformation, growth and development of children (41%) and their education and socialization (37%). On the basis of goals defined at the general level and by terminology, suggesting legal and not so much theoretical background, it is possible to presume a very low degree of differentiation between the observed institutions. Anlysis of goals indicates two groups of institutions - institutions for care of children and youth and institutions for treatment. When these goals were discussed, a whole series of difficulties have been pointed out in relation to making general goals operational. Other issues were opened and addressed as well.

extrafamilial care; treatment; children and youth; behaviour disorders

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