POSSIBILITIES AND BARRIERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUBSTITUTE CARE SYSTEM IN OPINIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS – THE FINDINGS OF THE FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEVS

Abstract

The key aim of this article is a presentation of barriers in implementing of processes of deinstitutionalization of the substitute care system, on the basis of opinions of local government officials and representatives of social organizations. The opinions were gathered in the Focus Group Interviews. This research was proceeded within the scope of a project: „The Pilot Study And Implementation Of Mechanisms And Planes Of Deinstitutionalization Of Social Services.” Additionally, obstacles in the deinstitutionalization activities of the communities in the substitute care area were generally put forward – insofar as it was possible, because of a limited framework of this paper. These activities were realized in the framework of local plans of deinstitutionalization of social services. Plans were prepared by local governments, which have been taking part in the project indicated above.This article circumscribes barriers in implementing of deinstitutionalization of the substitute care system, because in opinions of respondents and makers a success of deinstitutionalization depends on their overcoming. Knowledge about these barriers – both on the basis of opinions and experiences gaining in the course of preparing and implementing local plans - can provide assistance for the others local governments in our country for preparing more effective local plans of deinstitutionalization of social services in the area of substitute care system. And in the broader context - for the realization of one of the project aim, namely to working out of the framework, nationwide guidelines in the range of working out and implementing local plans of deinstitutionalization, among others in the area of subsitute care system. The guidelines will have a form of practical textbook including principles of leading local plans of deinstitutionalization, among others good practices in this extent.