of Health, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Office drafted the proposal regarding accommodation, care and treatment of unaccompanied minors. Due to the complexity and multi-layered nature, the proposal had not been accepted by the end of the year. In December 2019, the Government thus adopted decision no. 21400-11/2018/9, by means of which the accommodation of unaccompanied minors by the end of 2020 or until the establishment of the project regarding the accommodation, care and discussion of unaccompanied minors is to be implemented at the residence hall of the Secondary School for Forestry and Wood Technology in Postojna. The project carried out at the residence hall already includes changes as anticipated by the project that underwent interministerial coordination in January 2020. The short stay of migrants in residence at the Centre greatly impacts the in-depth expert work and the provision of psychosocial assistance and counselling, which is particularly evident with children/unaccompanied minors whose average time of accommodation is relatively short. Nevertheless, the duration of residence of some of them is lengthier and allows in-depth work. We recommended that the MNZ further enhance professional competence and knowledge with content such as the observance of the principle of the best interest of the child/minor and child/minor-friendly communication with an emphasis on specific nature of children/minors migrants, improve professional competence regarding detection and response to vulnerability, such as risk of human trafficking, sexual violence, situation of LGBT+ persons, work with children/minors with traumatic experience and provide assistance and support to people with mental health problems. 2.5 OBISK CENTRA ZA TUJCE We also advised the MNZ that the principle of the child’s best interest be observed with no exemption in all procedures from the identification of the child/ unaccompanied minor upon their unauthorised entry to the Republic of Slovenia until their accommodation at the Centre. The realisation of this principle would have to be carefully documented and discussed in decisions, official notes and diplomatic communications (cables). When forming fundamental guidelines and concrete measures, it would be sensible to observe the instructions and recommendations of international organisations and the Council of Europe that emphasise the importance of providing child/minor-friendly information in a friendly manner that observes the child’s age, gender and their characteristics, and enable the discussion of all aspects of the situation in which the child/minor has found themselves, and the independence and impartiality when adopting decisions and other principles supporting the realisation of the rights of children/minors. This systemic recommendation is the continuation of the NPM recommendation given during the visit in 2017. At that time, it was already highlighted that accommodation of children/minors in the Centre was not suitable or it should only be used as an exception as per the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Guidelines on alternative care for children/minors. Such is also the opinion of UNICEF, which decisively objects to the placement of children/minors in institutions. UNICEF believes that no child/minor should be detained due to their mi56 THE REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA ON IMPLEMENTING THE TASKS OF THE NPM