engleski

Re-institutionalization of adopted children - does the system do enough for protection of their rights?

The life experiences of adopted children are often followed by abuse and neglect, as well as harsh violation of children`s rights and because of that children can be removed from their biological family. Before adoption, many adopted children experienced life in institutions and often changes of institutional placement which left trace on their functioning. Therefore, long-term consequences for children can be manifested in behavioural problems. Many adoptive parents are not adequately prepared for dealing with specific challenges of adopted children parenting. It is a task and obligation of the state to provide them with adequate support in this demanding role. Unfortunately, in Croatia there are no organized specific forms of institutional professional support to adoptive parents. The social care system usually reacts when problems are escalating and leading to further separation from adoptive families and placement in institution. In this paper will be presented the results of a qualitative research whose goal is to get insight into the perspective of professionals who have experience in work with adopted children with behavioural problems about different levels of risks which lead to re-institutionalization of adopted children. The research was conducted by using semi- structured interview of 12 professionals working with adopted children in three institutions in Zagreb. Data were analysed by using open coding method. The results showed that professionals recognized the main risks for behavioural problems and re- institutionalization of adopted children on three levels: risks in biological families, risks in adoptive families, and risks in the adoption system in the Republic of Croatia. As a conclusion in the paper will be suggested guidelines for protection of the rights and prevention of re-institutionalization of adopted children.

children’s rights ; behavioural disorders ; adopted children ; risk factors ; social welfare system

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