Children that manifest antisocial behaviour and runaway from social communities is an externalized problem. However, frequent, and long-lasting runaway cases can sometimes occur due to etiological factors. These types of cases require professional attention to be effectively neutralized. This final thesis is designed as a critical and concise review of previous domestic and international research literature, focused on different aspects of the children running away from institutional facilities problem in order to enable its core understanding. A detailed review of the current problem state in Republic of Croatia suggests that self-willed alienation of children and young people included in institutional treatment is often connected to their perception of institutional treatment, unsatisfying conditions inside the treatment facilities, inadequate treatment, violation of relationships with other members and professional staff in the facility and the need to be in contact with people they are close with. Risk factors contributing to their runaway decision are considerated, as well as potential protection and prevention measures. The analysis conducted leads to the conclusion that the runaway cases might be correlated to their rights being violated. With the purpose of institutionalized children protection and to overcome systemic treatment and institution-wise weaknesses identified, this paper offers recommendations and suggestions for improvent of the institutional process through individual work, group work, work with family and community work as potential contributors of incident rate decrease, as well as problem prevalence.