„We are increasing employment of citizens with special needs in community“ Representative of the project: Social Work Advisory Board, Františkánska 2, Bratislava,

Main goal:  To minimize individual barriers for employment by revitalization of personal abilities and skills Main method:  Individual and group counseling, coaching by social workers

Main activities to fulfill the main goal: Group counseling – training to develop the key skills needed to obtain a job:  Mapping of skills  Development of personal characteristics  Development of key skills in order to find and maintain job  Development of practical skills in order to find and maintain job  Networking of specific employers and development of skills related thereto

Group counseling – training to develop the key skills needed to obtain a job: Mapping of skills: Goal is to define skills that could be basis for building other skills needed on labor market. Development of personal characteristics Goal is to define the most important personal characteristics needed for practical work and support their development. Confrontation of individual expectations with employers requirements is very important. Development of key skills in order to find and maintain job Goal is to develop skills in fields such as communication - assertiveness, conflict solving, how to deal with unsuccess, etc.

Group counseling – training to develop the key skills needed to obtain a job: Development of practical skills in order to find and maintain job Goal is to develop specific skills that are directly connected to finding and maintaining of job: - Self-presentation -Getting information on job opportunities -Awareness of onè̀ s working skills -Self-advocacy -Drafting CV Networking of specific employers and development of skills related thereto Goal is to give support related to and assistance with job searching during the entire job application process and initial phase of employment.

Main activities to fulfill the main goal: Individual work with citizen with special needs to develop working skills:  To develop personal portfolio and identification of subjects of support network.  Individual personal development, building of specific strong characteristics of individual.  Fulfilling of individual tasks to improve social skills needed in labor market.  Application of skills in real situations with support of individual trainer.  Addressing of employers and contacting of support network.

Individual work with citizen with special needs to develop working skills: Main method used in individual work was person centred planning(PCP) which was used in various ways. PCP was established years ago. Basic values: -Person is in the center of planning -Learning is made through common experience -Community is encouraged to assist person with special needs and thus support integration. -It is based on respect, dignity, integrity of an individual

PCP – Sort what is important Sort what is important TO (what make us happy, content, fulfilled) from what is important FOR (health and safety, being valued) while working towards a good balance. Important TOImportant FOR ___________________________________________________ Need to learn/know

PCP - Gifts Gifts of the headGifts of the hand Gifts of the heart Gifts of history and identity What kind of gifts do i have? What have we learned by naming these gifts?

Capacities to Build On or Build Up (from Gifts Sheet) Potential Community Opportunities Places, organizations, networks where the persons capacities would be welcome Possible Roles How the person can act as a contributing citizen in this place, association or network PCP – potential of an individual for community

PCP – Relationships circle Identify who is important to a person or family: .. Family Social services home School Work Friends

Family and Friends Community Life Work and Learning Community Groups Walking Distance Need a ride distance PCP – How far...?

PCP – Learning log It directs people to look for ongoing learning. A structure that captures details of learning within specific activities and experiences. DateWhat did the person do? (what, where, when, how,long) Who was there? (names of people supporting the person) What did you learn about what worked well? What did the person like about the activity? What needs to stay the same? What did you learn about what did not work? What did the person not like about the activity? What needs to be different?

PCP – Decision making agreement Helps us to think about decision making and increasing the number and significance of the decision people make Important decision in my life. How I must be involved. Who makes the final decision.

PCP – Presence to contribution Helps us to think about the activities and how we can see them as opportunities for participation and contribution. ActivityBeing present Having presence Actively participating Opportunity to connect Opportunity to contribute

PCP – Person centred teams A way to use person centred practices to develop how to work as a team. It helps us: To clarify our team purpose or what success looks like for our team. Clarify roles within the team, based on gifts and strengths. Record this information in a person centred team plan.

Projects statistic: Realization of project: Bratislava region Duration of project: 15 months Members of project: 5 social services homes = 6 working groups 1.DSS Gaudeamus – 15 participants 2.DSS Prima – 8 participants 3.DSS Betánia – 7 participants 4.DSS Votum – 4 participants 5.DSS Vstúpte - 14 participants Bibliography: Helen Sanderson Associates, USA, Person centred thinking