ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study aimed to explore how temporary protection facilities defined in the Child Welfare Act (Article 52) function for their mission. To collect data, focus group interviews and individual in-depth interview were conducted with workers at six temporary protection facilities among the total of seven facilities across the country. Data were analyzed with qualitative analysis methods and the findings revealed five themes. First, children at the temporary protection facilities often stayed there longer than ‘temporary’. Second, there was a large variation across the facilities regarding how children’s mental health and emotional issues are treated as well as how their rights to learn are realized. Third, the workers agreed upon the importance of family reunification but the efforts were limited in reality. Fourth, facilities had tendency for exclusive placement of children in their own jurisdictions, although children in other jurisdictions are in need of placement. Fifth, there was confusion among the workers regarding the role of public officials dealing exclusively with child protection and child maltreatment by policy changes. Based on the findings, it was discussed how to help improve temporary protection facilities’ functioning.

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