On 11/11/2024, at a consultation in the National Council entitled Deficiencies in the System of Assistance to Children and Young People in Need – A call for action by professional centres, the Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina pointed out some shortcomings that the institution of the Ombudsman perceives during visits to expert centres in the role of National Preventive Mechanism and when considering complaints. The purpose of the consultation was to shed light on the problems in this area and to formulate ideas and proposals that will be addressed to decision-makers with the hope of immediate implementation.

Ombudsman Svetina said that the NPM, which regularly monitors the situation in institutions such as expert centres, training institutes, crisis centres, the department of the University Psychiatric Clinic for Children and Adolescents, and the Radeče Juvenile Correctional Facility, has in recent years noticed an increase in the number of children and adolescents who have the most severe emotional and behavioural problems. Their hardships result in crisis situations, such as peer violence and violence by children and adolescents towards employees, self-harming behaviour, escapes from expert centres, consumption of prohibited substances, and the commission of various misdemeanours and crimes. "These are serious challenges that require a comprehensive approach and coordinated co-operation between all stakeholders. The NPM has warned the expert centres and the Ministry of Education (even under its previous name) of systemic problems and made recommendations several times," said Ombudsman Svetina at the consultation and listed some of the challenges with which expert centres meet and are perceived as pressing by the Ombudsman or the NPM.

"We often find that placing children according to their place of residence, as stipulated by the Act on the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioural Problems and Disorders (ZOOMTVI), is not always in their best interest. Therefore, we recommended that the Ministry study the possible shortcomings of such a system and take measures that will ensure optimal treatment for every child," he said. The NPM also recommended that the Ministry ensure the acquisition of additional knowledge and experience for expert workers in the new intensive groups, so that they will be able to solve crisis events effectively. It should ensure that there are sufficient medical staff and should examine legal and systemic options for more effective enforcement of placement decisions. The NPM also recommended that the Ministry help expert centres in providing adequate accommodation for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioural problems and ensure standards for their equipment and operation.

The Ombudsman is convinced that it is only in co-operation between various stakeholders, including the health, educational, and judicial systems, that it is possible to provide adequate support to these children and adolescents. He concluded that the goal of the consultation is not only to improve conditions in expert center, but also to establish mechanisms of assistance, including to families, so that children and adolescents do not end up in such institutions. "We need effective early treatment programmes that will prevent the development of more severe forms of disorders and enable young people to develop in a safe and stimulating environment," said Ombudsman Peter Svetina and appealed to the public to react when they sense distress. Although we are more and more burdened by our ailments and feel that we must leave our fellow man alone, not intrude into his privacy, "a discreet watchful eye and an appropriate reaction can be just as effective in such cases as resuscitation of people after a stroke: they help in time and thus prevent more severe consequences. My appeal goes beyond the space of this hall: let's be human to our fellow man and ask them if everything is all right with them. We offer help or just a shoulder to lean on. In this way, we can prevent or mitigate many sad stories with serious consequences," said Ombudsman Peter Svetina.