Regarding the problems pointed out by VIZ Smlednik, the NPM proposed that authorisations involving the transport of high-risk adolescents who might try to escape during the journey back to the institution or prevent their involuntary return in another way be arranged at the regulatory or executive level. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of VIZ Smlednik explained: “Your proposal stated that authorisations for the transport of high-risk adolescents be arranged at the state level. Every child who leaves the institution without permission is in distress of some kind, making them highrisk. It would thus be necessary to arrange the same methodology for discussing all children placed in any state institution intended for children with special needs. The most suitable solution would be if such transport were organised by the police, who also have suitable vehicles and the appropriate authorisations.” The NPM proposed that VIZ Smlednik encourage adolescents to submit their work (photographs, drawings and other possible projects) to competitions, tenders or other competitions. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of VIZ Smlednik explained: “In cooperation with the heads of interest areas, we encourage applications to various tenders or competitions, and we also implement them.” The NPM proposed that the Ježek residential group (VIZ Smlednik) connect with volunteers or students of the Faculty of Education (or another suitable faculty), who will be able to offer free homework and study help to the adolescents. In their reply to our preliminary report, the management of VIZ Smlednik explained: “The residential group will try to contact volunteers of the Faculty of Education regarding homework and study help.” Forms of work As per the findings with regard to resolving of conflicts in MD Maribor between individual adolescents in a group, the NPM proposed considering the introduction of weekly meetings where developments in the group would be analysed, and thus possible conflicts could be solved. In their reply to the preliminary report, the management of MD Maribor explained: “We believe that the staff, including children and adolescents, have sufficient opportunities for education and discussions, and we do not need further regular meetings or round tables.” The NPM recommended that MD Maribor organise regular meetings or less formal gatherings (e.g. round tables) of childcare workers where they could exchange experience and knowledge or consult about the most appropriate conduct in the case of certain problems when dealing with adolescents. In their reply to the preliminary report, the management of MD Maribor explained: “We believe that we have sufficient opportunities to exchange experience and knowledge (joint expert meetings, group meetings, intervision, supervision, consulting with external institutions which deal with the development of children and adolescents, and experts from paedopsychiatry, psychiatry etc.). Every group has a meeting with children and adolescents at least once a week, and more if necessary. At meetings, we also analyse and resolve promptly. If necessary, conflicts are/must be resolved immediately, and we do not wait until the next meeting. Your opinion is thus a somewhat biased statement taken out of the context and reads like an inappropriate comparison between the units. The childcare worker had also obviously expressed herself inadequately about the empathy, or you misapprehended the point that was made, which arises from your statement that all you could hear was “it’s important to give and not only to receive”. There are obviously many clarifications which you failed to understand correctly, some others were inappropriately articulated ... and all of the above questions the relevance of such visits to our institution. With no set criteria, the assessments are the result of personal, unprofessional and general evaluations.” IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 97