The SOWT analysis as part of the strategic management of the institution found that the teaching staff and therapists do not have opportunities to increase their professional competence due to a lack of knowledge about the practical application of art therapy as a method widely applied in special education. The opportunities for qualification on this topic in Bulgaria are limited to the application of classical methods, which do not have a high effective value. The participation in the project "Remedial power of Expressive Art in SEN Children" had several main goals: - assimilation and application of innovative approaches in the main aspects of art therapy: drama, painting, dance, music, as well as their improvement through Applied Behavioral Analysis in order to correct behavioral problems in students - increasing professional competence and inclusive environment - language development and intercultural interaction with European institutions in the system of special education - raising the level of special education and increasing opportunities in the process of inclusion and socialization of students - creation of an art studio to apply the acquired experience in the school program and to spread it
CSOP "Dr. P. Beron" is part of the system of educational institutions of the Ministry of Education and Culture, introduced in 2017 with the new law on education. In the Strategy of CSOP, as well as in every Annual Plan of our institution, the qualification of pedagogues and therapists takes a priority place, as the main opportunity for learning innovative methods is the Erasmus+ program with its main Key Activities. The participation in the project "Remedial power of Expressive Art in SEN Children" greatly contributed to raising the level of the educational and therapeutic process in the institution and was highly appreciated by the parent community and the social partners of "Dr. P. Beron" Center for Special educational needs. - learning through art therapy the methods and application of psycho-social support for students with SEN - increasing the professional competence of teachers and therapists working in the CSOP not only with students, but also with parents and social partners - improvement of the inclusive environment in CSOP as a main factor for the process of integration and inclusion of students - transfer of acquired knowledge as a permanent process for professional development of the CSOP team