With this project we wanted to provide our employees the opportunity for professional growth, the opportunity to get to know new methods of working with people with health and mental disabilities and their application in practice. We also wanted to encourage cooperation between facilities and establish new contacts for the future. We tried to achieve the implementation of new work procedures in our facility at the level of the health, social and therapeutic department, which will reflect on the individual needs of our clients and improve their quality of life. We also wanted to get to know the method of deinstitutionalization of social services in the partner organization. The goal was also to improve the theoretical knowledge of early intervention counselors and to enable them to gain an overview of good practice by observing employees in another facility, so that they can better support and accompany a family with a disadvantaged child. It would also be ideal to establish new partnerships with experts in the given field or with organizations. The team would ensure better quality care and a better vision for the child in the future, for example in the area of inclusion, psychomotor skills and cognitive development.
The Sibírka Social Services Center (CSS) provides two services: the Early Intervention Service (SVI) and the Social Services Center (DSS). As part of the DSS, we have 38 persons with multiple disabilities in the facility on daily, weekly and year-round stays. We try to create a pleasant environment for them that respects their individual needs and at the same time support the development of their motor, social and cognitive skills. Therefore, employees must be motivated to work, must have an overview of methods, tools and new approaches. A suitable procedure is to follow good practice in another facility. Thanks to the Erasmus+ project, we wanted to provide this opportunity to employees from various departments. Since 2014, SVI has also been operating and provides professional services to support and help families with a child with a disability up to seven years of age. CSS Sibírka employees have already participated in several Erasmus+ projects and thanks to previous experience, we have introduced new work procedures and aids in the facility, for example communication boards and passports, musical instruments and rehabilitation aids, improved individual client plans, supported work with clients' family members, etc.