Personal Assistants to Transition to State Institutions or Remain with Associations

Croatia is set to significantly expand its personal assistant program by hiring 2,000 new assistants. These individuals will be employed by the state and work within more than 50 social welfare institutions. The initiative, announced by Alen Ružić, the Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy, aims to address the substantial need for personal assistance services for people with disabilities and children with special needs.

Currently, approximately 3,400 personal assistants are employed, primarily through various associations. However, earlier estimates indicated a demand for nearly two thousand additional assistants. This new government-backed hiring drive seeks to bridge that gap and ensure that the full scope of necessary services can be provided consistently.

The decision to bring personal assistants under state employment marks a significant shift. It aims to provide greater stability and potentially standardize the working conditions for these crucial caregivers. The move is expected to bolster the social welfare system and improve the quality of life for many individuals who rely on personal assistance for daily living.

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We developed mediation models for disagreements between users and assistants. There were cases where a user changed thirteen personal assistants in nine months.