The crisis of subsidiarity in the National Service for Minors: Chile (1994-2021)

Abstract

In recent years, Chile has experienced an intense socio-legislative debate in which the State and society have taken responsibility for children who, for various reasons, cannot be cared for by their biological families. The crisis in the child protection system has become evident, highlighting the need for reform. This article proposes a critical analysis of the implementation of this policy based on a descriptive-interpretative study of the documents and evaluation reports produced by the National Service for Minors between 1994 and 2018. The study identifies structural deficiencies in the system that continued since this institution was founded. The authors identify that the cause of these deficiencies is the principle of subsidiarity of the State in this area.