Best Practices

SCOPE project enables the exchange of good practices in terms of approaches, activities, skills of practitioners, and specific interventions. It focuses on meeting the needs in this sector, identified by the partnership, through sharing knowledge and by visiting/ understanding best practice approaches to support this client group in moving more seamlessly towards labour market opportunities. The project also aims to widen the scope of these approaches and techniques, and gain new insights and knowledge of successful interventions and approaches that could potentially be adapted to a wider drug/alcohol using community.

See below 20 best practice examples from Scope partners’ perspective:

Name of programme: Ballyrunners

1. What are the objectives?

The objectives are to engage young people at risk in constructive activities that alleviated boredom and promoted life skills and pro-social attitudes and activities on group work programme to engage hard to reach young people, who are out of training/employment, and are involved in criminal behaviour, drug use and are generally apathetic. It was envisaged that this in turn would lead to a reduction in anti-social and criminal behaviours, decreased drug use, increased engagement with services and improved self-worth. This would then encourage those clients to progress onto further training/education and employment.

2. What are the activities?

Activities include:

1. Community Involvement –the young people undertake horticultural programmes within the local community e.g. Cultivating senior citizen residential gardens.
2. Personal Skills – Personal Development – The aim of this part of programme is to encourage and support the learning and growth of the participants in the area of social skills.
3. Physical exercise –In an effort to increase their social responsibility the young people take part in a variety of sporting/physical activities including completing a charity based Fun Run.
4. Vocational Skills- Bicycle mechanics.
5. Vocational First Aid (QQI level 5)

The programme runs 3 days per week and is aligned with The Bronze Gaisce Award. Although the Gaisce Award is the core framework that Ballyrunners is built around, there is much more to the programme. Throughout the programme we have an element of career guidance, we also place a big emphasis on addiction and criminal behaviour and will introduce a variety of modules addressing these issues. We endeavour always to be as up to date and current as is possible. Diverse sporting pursuits have been attempted by the Ballyrunners. These include local activities such as ice-skating, go-karting, pitch and putt, circuit training and basketball. (Young people not leaving area – negative effects) Much of the lives of these young people centre around the 2 mile radius of Ballymun and few reported of having seen much of the city. In order to broaden the experiences of these young people conscience efforts were made to bring them to alternative locations in Dublin. More cultural and educational trips are arranged for the young people. Of note was a guided tour of Leinster House, Viking Tour of Dublin, Kilmainham Goal and theatre outings.

     3. Who are the participants?

The programme was initially set up for young hard to reach early school leavers between 15 and 25 years of age. However since 2017 we have raised the age of the participants to 35 years. They are hard to reach young people, who are out of training/employment, and are involved in criminal behaviour, drug use and are generally apathetic. The profile of the Ballyrunners participants is as follows:

• Engaged with Ballymun Job Centre
• Involved with Probation Service

1. (YPP: Young’s Persons Probation)
2. (Adult Probation Service)
3. (Community Service)

• Out of Education/Training/Employment
• Early School Leaver
• Not engage with any service
• Active drug/alcohol use.
• Involved in criminal activity

 

    4.  What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with             the high support target group?

The low threshold pro-social modelling and relationship building is the ideal way to work with this client group. The active participation of the Career Guidance Officers, Probation Officers and Drug Workers is proven to be an excellent way to build up trust and form relationships. Thus from this, a whole picture can be formed of the client. The client can be supported in a holistic way. It makes it easier then to challenge, motivate and encourage him/her to manage their own life.

     5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The            Scope Project?

Transferable

The Ballyrunners Programme is a programme that can be tailored to any group in most areas. It is flexible and can be adapted to whatever the need is. It is consistently evolving, it is a programme that can change mid-stream if the need arises. This makes it ideal for High Support clients.

Innovative

It is innovated in its approach to working with this client group. The involvement of the practitioners play a big part in its innovation, working alongside the participants, the pro-social modelling. The variety and diversity of the modules and constant updating the activities displays the real innovation of this programme.

Sustainable

This programme began in 2009 and has gone from strength to strength since then. Each year it builds on the previous year, evaluating all the time. We learn from failure as much as we do from successes and plan our next programme according to what has worked well and what has not worked so well, all the time updating and adding new activities and modules. The progression from Ballyrunners has been immense, likened to any other programme dealing with similar clients it has outperformed most programmes.

Name of Programme: Ballymun Job Centre 

1. What are the objectives?

The objective of the Ballymun Job Centre is for people living in the greater Ballymun area to raise the skills, educational levels and the labour market aspirations. To increase employability by supporting clients to develop their employment related skills, education and abilities. Increase individual’s labour market choices and earning potential from employment thus reducing their vulnerability to poverty. Maximise employment, education or training opportunities for local people. Develop innovative approaches in response to identified labour market needs and issues. Co-operate with and foster co-operation between organisations and agencies at European, National and local level.

2. What are the activities?

The Ballymun Job Centre provides a wide range of support services to local job seekers. These support services form the majority of their work and includes one to one career guidance, access to training and education and job placement.

The Service provides a confidential setting where the client can discuss and develop a career path with their assigned guidance officer. The guidance officer through a series of one to one meetings, will discuss the client’s options. They will identify the client’s strengths and weaknesses and help client decide what their goals are and will support them in fulfilling them.

On behalf of the Ballymun Drug Task Force the High Support team within the Ballymun Job Centre offers a service to people who have or have had drug or alcohol issues. The service aims to develop bridging supports for clients coming from a background of drug or alcohol use. The service works with clients to develop new directions, priorities and networks around re-integration strategies.

The main supports provided include employment supports, vocational educational supports, prison and community links, career guidance and the development of training supports. Develop and implementing specific training courses tailor made to the client’s needs.

3. Who are the participants?

The High Support Team within the Ballymun Job Centre work with clients who are drug and alcohol free. Clients who are stable on methadone and clients who are active in drug use or alcohol with minimal contact.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The high support service within the Ballymun Job Centre is accessible. Clients on entering the building are mixing with mainstream job seeking client.  The risk of feeling stigmatize as a drug user is reduced. The staff on the high support team work with clients on a non-judgmental, confidential basic.  The Ballymun Job Centre have good support systems both inside and outside the Job Centre. Group  programmes  that  facilitate  clients  progressing  at  their  own  pace  and preparing clients  for the work place.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope project?

Transferable

High Support Services could be developed within any career guidance agency. State employment agencies might use resources available to them or secure the funding required to design, develop, and deliver a high support service. This service could be tailored to the needs of their job seeking clients. Each partner country’s needs may require different approaches however this could be formed when the service is being developed.

Innovative

A High Support Service that is based in a Job Centre/ Employment Service is unique.  Mainstream Career Guidance Practitioners have immediate access to the service when required.  The High Support team have the added advantage of being trained and having qualifications in both areas of career guidance and addiction. This gives a wraparound support to the client allowing him or her to avail of the necessary support whilst on their journey to gaining employment.  Being based in the same location allows a very strong relationship to develop between both services, this in turn ensures that the client receives the best possible support and service.

Sustainable

One of the reasons for the High Support team within the Ballymun Job Centre is sustainable is because they work with clients who have additional barriers to a mainstream job seeker. The staff are trained as guidance practitioners coupled with addiction trained allowing them to address all barriers the clients may face. This method of working has a proven success rate with 355 clients been referred from mainstream guidance services and outside agency’ with 221 clients progressing into training, education or employment in 2017. The high support servers is funded by the Ballymun Drug Task Force. The Task Forces are government funded to work with community, voluntary and statutory services and put in place responses to drugs and alcohol issues. They do this by encouraging co-ordination and co-operation between services and by listening to the needs of the local community.

Name of programme: Equal Youth

1. What are the objectives?

Equal Youth, as an interagency model of working was developed in 2005 and was adopted by the services working with young people in the Ballymun area.  Based on best practice in the EU (including Ireland) that recognises the complexity of needs being presented by young people and the need for a range of services networking to establish inclusive progression pathways for young people The Equal Youth Project arose from this concern and recognised that while individual agencies were providing a good service they were not always working together to provide an integrated service and as a result some young people were slipping through the net.  Equal Youth aims to work with young people in an attempt to identify and overcome barriers, both intrinsic and extrinsic, to sustainable career development. Many of the services in Ballymun were dealing with the same clients presenting with a multitude of issues that were impeding their path to training and employment. The need for an interagency approach was widely accepted.   Equal Youth is managed and led by the BJC. Representatives from agencies with the statutory, voluntary, training and education sectors attend a monthly meeting to discuss their client’s goals and progress to date. All young people involved in the project are aware that these meetings take place and have signed up to the process.  If at any stage they would like to remove themselves from the process, that is their choice and the data is removed.

2. What are the activities?

Activities include:

Profiling: A profile form is completed with the young person, barriers and strengths are identified, and goals are set in areas of living, training/education and employment. A confidentiality agreement is signed. Information is not shared without consent, reasons for sharing made clear and is limited to what is really necessary. Representatives from each agency involved meet once per month.  They actively work through the list of young people discussing what they are currently involved in. What barriers/issues, what strengths and what plans are in place for their future career.  An update is given on each person by the key agency involved with the young person.  Issues are raised. Solutions are focussed on, the agencies discuss possible solutions and problem solve the barriers facing individuals.  The importance of the monthly meetings is the regular contact between the agencies. This contact is vital to the relationship between the agencies and it ensure that Equal Youth is not an “add on” to their work but rather part of it.

3. Who are the participants?

The programme is for Early School Leavers aged 16 to 24 years. The young people are clients of one or more of the agencies that are signed up to the project. For the purposes of this project A young person who has left school early is somebody who is aged between 16 and 24 years and who has left school without a Leaving Certificate.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

A client centred approach: A client centred approach is used in order to support individuals in a holistic way to overcome barriers such as drug addiction, low self-esteem, and low levels of resilience, low academic achievement, negative outlook and lack of self-awareness. The client can be supported in a holistic way. The young person is always at the centre of the process, when the agencies meet their individual agencies are left outside the door, they become a single entity: Equal Youth.

This makes it an ideal way of working with any vulnerable or high support group or individual.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

Transferable

The Equal Youth Project is a programme that can be tailored to any group in most areas. It is flexible and can be adapted to whatever the need is. A confidential agreement is signed by the client and practitioner thus allowing for a trusting relationship to be formed from the beginning.  The supports for the client are more comprehensive because of the buy in from all the agencies they can avail of a wide range of services very promptly, this makes it ideal for High Support clients.

Innovative

The project facilitates an intensive consultation process between relevant agencies sing the comprehensive pathway as a model for interagency cooperation. In order to implement the Comprehensive Pathway model, a number of tools were developed and agreed by participating agencies. These interagency Tools included:

• A Protocol
• A Referral System
• A Tracking System
• A method of Co-ordination
• A Practitioner Training Programme
• A Confidentiality Agreement

The agencies signed up to Equal Youth consists both of State Agencies and Community & Voluntary sector. The result of the monthly meetings is that strong relationships are formed between the agencies. The young person reaps the benefits of this relationship whereby the supports they receive are a holistic wrap around support.

Sustainable   

Equal Youth, as an interagency model of working was developed in 2005 and was adopted by the services working with young people in the Ballymun area.  Since then it has grown and expanded, many more agencies have joined the project recognising that working in an interagency way has a greater impact for the client.  A number of initiative have arisen from Equal Youth including Ballyrunners and The Cannabis Initiative.

Name of Programme: STAR Project

1. What are the objectives?

Through working holistically, STAR aims to encourage individuals in reclaiming their full potential by offering support, training and education in order to cultivate positive change in recovery form drug addiction. STAR works with people who have a desire to stabilise their drug use and or become drug free by putting the participant at the centre of their own recovery process. The STAR Project adopt a trauma based care and non-judgemental approach. This approach is based upon the following key principles: respect, safety, connection, choice, transparency and hope.

2. What are the activities?

STAR offers a Trauma Informed care approach through an intensive, holistic, personal development programme which supports a person and/or family member to make positive changes at their own pace in the process of recovery from drug/alcohol addiction and their effects. This is a 5 day a week programme. STAR operates from a harm reduction framework, using group work, 1 to 1, and therapeutic ways of working. An adult education and training programme is used throughout the programme with an emphasis upon it being creative and service user led. Accredited training modules are run and work experience is organised to prepare the participants to enter employment, or further training / education. Some service users attend on a voluntary basis if they have used up their CE time, and others attend as part of a CE Programme.  Places last for a year with a rollover if it is required this depends on where the service user is at. The CE Scheme (State Supported Employment Programme) are paid a social welfare payment equivalent to the minimum living wage. Some of the programmes STAR facilitate are mindfulness / meditation, fitness / gym programme, relapse prevention, health & nutrition, stress management, computers & literacy, sexual health, creative arts, sleep and health related programme. All of these programme pieces have an overriding focus on catering to a service user’s mental health and general well being and each person’s individuality within that.

Out of hours phone support service is available 7 days a week for clients which is a crucial service too as issues often arise after programme hours as life continues. This service is used by service users who are struggling and whose mental health needs are at more of a crisis point. Oftentimes as drug use decreases stressors are introduced to the service user re sleep problems, flashbacks, confidence levels, original trauma surfacing. The management of these needs in this way supports a service user and prevents escalation and reminds a service user to use skills learnt to self-regulate.

3. Who are the participants?

The STAR Project provide drug rehabilitation programme and a Family Support Service to people who need support for drug / alcohol issues or who are dealing with the effects of addiction within the family. STAR work with both active users that who looking to make changes in their lives and clients in the process of recovery and those who have completed the process and are now drug free. The family members are family members who have a loved one in addiction and who have been affected by this.

4. What do you think would work well form this project that could be used with the high support target group?

            STAR has two main drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes. These are broken down as Phase 1 and Phase 2. (Phase 1 is stabilisation and Phase 2 is recovery phase)  Participants in these programmes develop confidence, potential, self-esteem and learning skills. This is key to their reintegration into the community. Each individual is assigned a key worker to support them while on the programme. This is not a one size fits all and is tailored to the individual’s needs.  

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope project?

Transferable

Organisations and professional practitioners in any country could easily adapt this method. It is tailored to individual needs therefore this is not a rigid programme and can be changed according to the individuals’ needs.  Because it is so flexible and adaptable this programme can be designed to fit the needs any client regardless of their origin.

              Innovative

This programme looks at all aspects of the client’s life. STAR not only work with an induvial but also work with the family members who have been affect by their loved one drug and alcohol use. STAR support the client right through from the beginning of their journey including support with their physical health, housing, sleep therapy, nutrition, and sexual health right through to the client progressing on to education, training or employment.  STAR provides a wide range of innovative programmes to the client and their families. There is much emphasis given to service user’s understanding their mental health and how to manage their mental health.  STAR’s overarching emphasis is upon each person learning skills to live as holistically as they can for their own well-being and their family’s

Sustainable

One of the reasons for The STAR Project sustainability is because of the proven success of the programme they have secured both local and State funding. This is an evidence based programme with on average 14 people progressing during the year. This is across both phases. This project started in November 1998. It’s flexible and adaptable nature has sustained the project throughout its lifetime as fluidity ensures as wide a net of diverse needs as present can be met.

Name of programme: STRIVE

1. What are the objectives?

• To strengthen the multi-agency approach to crime management;
• To prioritise targets in order to develop initiatives which address their behaviour;
• To identify targets offending behaviour and pathways out of crime;
• To improve public safety;
• To make swift intervention with targets who do not engage or continue to commit crime;
• To share information to achieve goals;
• To implement intensive multi agency supervision;
• To encourage the target to make positive changes/choices;
• To maintain a target list of up to 20 individuals;
• To put in place an appropriate plan for each target;
• To select and de select targets;
• To grade targets in accordance with Traffic Light System;
• To develop a consistent approach to the management of targets;
• To limit offenders’ criminal activity through the sharing of information and robust oversight/case management.

2. What are the activities?

The Operational Team meet weekly to review client list, agree appropriate and suitable paths re: Addiction, Accommodation, Treatment, Training/Education, Employment. Agencies work together to ensure that offenders have access to timely and appropriate interventions that meet their identified needs, that contribute to their rehabilitation and reduce the risk of reoffending.  All participating agencies have a clear understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities at an operational level. All necessary information sharing agreements, protocols and processes are in place to ensure swift and appropriate real time sharing of information to arrive at the appropriate decision to deal with client.

STRIVE Operational Team works together to ensure that there is certainty about the consequences for the individual for failing to engage or comply (Carrot and Stick approach).

3. Who are the participants?

Aged over 18 years; Living in Ballymun Garda District but causing trouble in STRIVE area” or, Are in custody and will be returning to the specified community. Have committed a high number of offences within catchment area (prolific); or, whose criminal behaviour is negatively impacting on the community? An individual is considered for selection based on the criteria set out in the project plan: The STRIVE Operational Team hold a selection meeting every two months, when the profile of each offender who has been nominated for STRIVE is considered. All agencies of the Operational Team select from the nominees. The decision to accept or reject a nominee is based on a number of factors; Availability on STRIVE project (20 places available) Meets STRIVE criteria for selection. If accepted on STRIVE, the candidate is assigned a STRIVE number. If not accepted on STRIVE, the reason(s) for this decision are recorded and the nominated offender and his circumstances will be reviewed at the next STRIVE Selection meeting.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

All personnel involved are motivated, dedicated and tasked with reducing offending behaviour and improving the quality of life of people living in the Ballymun area. The team is driven by the faith they have in STRIVE and providing a quality service that will have a genuine impact on the people of Ballymun. The team is also motivated to assist and help the client as much as possible but will also use any, and all means of enforcement/intervention if the client is noncompliant.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

Transferable

STRIVE was initially one of three similar initiatives piloted in The Republic of Ireland. The success of this integrated offender management way of working has encouraged the government to roll it out nationally. It is now nationwide under the Joint Agency Response to Crime (JARC) banner

Innovative

The multi-agency involvement includes both state agencies and the community and voluntary sector. Partners have an understanding of the different measures of success compared with other agencies. All agencies are fully committed and signed up to deliver STRIVE within its current framework. There is effective engagement, communication with, and involvement of statutory and non-statutory agencies. Pooling of knowledge, resources, skills and views to effectively complete tasks.

STRIVE Stakeholders

• An Garda Síochána
• Irish Prison Service
• Probation Service
• Ballymun Job Centre
• Department of Social Protection
• Ballymun Social Regeneration Committee
• Dublin City Council
• Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force
• HSE Addiction Service
• The Local Community and Public
• Clients

Sustainable   

All participating agencies have a clear understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities at an operational level. All Operational STRIVE Team members have an equal say in all matters pertaining to STRIVE Clients, procedures and decision making. Accurate assessment of the risk of reoffending and what can be done to reduce this risk. All partner agencies agree the overarching vision for STRIVE, addressing leadership, accountability and governance issues.

Name of programme:  Schwerbehindertenabgabe –

1. What are the objectives?

Many addicts and drug-users are labelled as handicapped people at Germany.

And at Germany all private and public employers with at least 20 jobs have to employ at least five percent disabled peoples. And if this obligation is not fulfilled of the jobs the employer has to pay a levy  (§§ 154 to 162 Social Code Book IX).

The legislative motive for this regulation is that every employer should be obliged to make a contribution to the participation of severely disabled people in working life.

The compensatory levy is intended to compensate employers who fulfil their employment obligation and who incur increased costs as a result, for example, of additional statutory leave and disability-friendly workplace equipment. In addition, the equalisation levy is intended to encourage employers to fulfil their employment obligation.

2. Who are the participants?

The compensatory levy paid to the Integration Office mainly finances vocational rehabilitation assistance and other measures for integrating severely disabled people into the labour market.

They payment of the levy is organized by the national Public Employment Service.

3. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The financial resources coming from this levy are allowing a wide range of integration-measures, including (former) addicts.

4. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

Transferable

This model has two elements: the employment of at least five percent disabled persons seems to be easily transferable. But the next step, the introduction of a levy needs a high political commitment – and employers able to pay the levy.

Innovative

The general idea will be innovative for many EU-states.

 

Name of programme:  Zukunft Arbeit

1. What are the objectives?

Their aim is to strengthen clients personally and materially through individually coordinated measures and to integrate them into the general labour market.

2. What are the activities?

This is achieved by a gradual re-entry into work under experienced guidance in various trades. We primarily care for people with addictions and severe disabilities.  We combine this with socio-educational support and good contacts to many other addiction care institutions in Hamburg. This concept has proven itself during our seventeen years of existence.

3. Who are the participants?

In addition to recipients of unemployment benefit II, they offer interns from rehabilitation clinics and delinquents with the requirement of community service employment and qualification in various areas of work.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The company is a German model of the Social Firms, companies active at the market and employing former drug-users and other handicapped persons. Their lower productivity is reimbursed by public funds

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

Transferable

The project-idea is easily to transfer, inside of Germany and – if funds are existing to other EU-states.

Innovative

The general idea is not innovative at Germany, but as it seems at other EU-states..

Sustainable

The company already exists since 20 years.

Name of programme:  Stadthotel & Stadt-Café

1. What are the objectives?

The hotel “Stadthaushotel” with a three-star-looks like any other hotel. But it employs, like the attached café and restaurant, mainly handicapped people, many of them former addicts.

The Stadthaushotel Hamburg Altona became known as the first integration hotel in Europe. People with and without disabilities work and learn together in this integrative hotel. According to the concept, the hotel is equipped for the disabled. Since June 2005 the Stadthaushotel Hamburg is a company of “jugend hilft jugend-Arbeit gemeinnützige GmbH” (Youth helps Youth charitable Ltd.).

The association jhj Hamburg e.V. is planning another integrative hotel in the Hafencity Hamburg.  Next to hotel they are running a restaurant and café.

2. Who are the participants?

In 1987, parents of eight children with different disabilities joined forces in the Werkstadthaus e. V. initiative and realized a project that was unique in Europe at the time, the Stadthaushotel Hamburg – Anders und gut!

Since September 1993, disabled people are living and working here under one roof.

3. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The company is a German model of the Social Firms, companies active at the market and employing former drug-users and other handicapped persons. Their lower productivity is reimbursed by public funds.

4. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

Transferable

The project-idea is easily to transfer, inside of Germany and – if funds are existing – to other EU-states.

Innovative

The general idea is not innovative at Germany, but as it seems at other EU-states.

Sustainable

The hotel already exists since more than 20 years.

Name of programme:  Centres of the CIOFS FP in Lazio Region

1. What are the objectives?

The six Professional Training Centers of the CIOFS FP Lazio are sensitive to the issue of drug addiction

but this topic does not represent the peculiarity of the intervention in favor of young people.

The users of the Centers are young people and this is a positive factor because it means that the centres are not faced, in most cases, with situations of problematic drug addiction that can represent a real obstacle to the frequency of training courses, but rather to a theme to be addressed in terms of prevention.

2. What are the activities?

Salesian educational model, developing skills (basic, professional, transversal competencies) actually spendable and useful in the labour market is the main mean of preventing addictions.

This continuous work on prevention is carried on through several activities:

• provide training and information on the subject of addiction in different aspects;
• stimulate an integrated students’ growth, with positive effects on the promotion of pro-social behaviours (both at school and in life);
• reduce exclusion phenomena, verbal and / or physical violence

Moreover the Centres activated:

• a project named “Educating to legality”, carried out in collaboration with the local Police Commissariats, concerning the issue of micro crime and the legal and penal impact of illegal behaviour, bullying and cyberbullying;
• interventions in the classroom during the development of modules addressing the issue in a more direct way (eg Module of Sciences or Psychology) or in a more indirect way (eg Italian language module, welcome and orientation, religious culture ) allowing students to have several tools to read their present and their personal resources in a positive way and to plan their future on important and solid values;
• Salesian surveillance: all the internal and external environments of the Centers are carefully monitored by the staff, with a proximity to the students even in informal moments;
• A clear regulation: pupils and their families are aware that the student regulations provide for disciplinary measures for the possession and distribution of drugs (with consequent denunciation to the judicial authorities);
• Interviews with students and their families.

In addition, local Center activated various collaboration;

• collaborative projects with the local SERT (public services for addictions);
• “Dependency Prevention Project” with specific objectives concerning addictions not only from substances but also, for example, from gambling and the “Intercultural Education Project” with specific objectives concerning the integration of foreign students;
• partnerships with external structures (local non-profit organizations, CeIS) for access to individual or group support activities.

A protocol of collaboration with the CeIS of Don Mario Picchi (Italian Center of Solidarity) for a first year student with previous problems of dependency.

     3. Who are the participants?

• Young people from 14 to 18 years old, often coming from poor, deprived socio-cultural backgrounds and / or families in chronic or temporary situations of various kinds of vulnerability;
• the centers themselves are placed in difficult territorial situations, sometimes marked by drug dealing.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The “prevention” model is not useful for the Target group of the Scope project as the beneficiaries are people who have already used and abused of substances.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

The prevention activities are transferable and can be tailored to any group in most areas. Partnerships between centers and local authorities are an added value and an aspect that should always be taken in consideration by Organisations dealing with the management of vulnerable groups.

Name of programme:  Project GUIDE! GOOD GUIDANCE STORIES – case studies as an innovative cross-cultural training

1. What are the objectives?

The project supports continuing professional development and the continuous demonstration of relevant competencies from guidance practitioners through the development of innovative, cross-cultural learning and teaching materials in the form of case studies.

2. What are the activities?

The most important outcomes of the project were:

• A recommendation handbook (targeting policy makers & professionals in the field of VET for guidance practitioners)
• a methodological guideline (teaching material)
• 6 case studies (teaching material).

The case studies came as a result of the questionnaire, interviews and focus group that formed, at first, the basis for 6 identified fields of competency: (1) Ethical practice, (2) Recognize & respond to client’s diverse needs, (3) Develop individual capabilities and understand any limitations, (4) Communicate facilitation skills, (5) Enable access to information, (6) Update own skills and knowledge.

3. Who are the participants?

The participants of the project are guidance practitioners and professionals supporting disadvantaged people accessing the labour market. In particular, the first step in the project was the development of a questionnaire filled in by 144 guidance practitioners.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The case studies developed are very useful and this method can be used in different settings to train or update the competences and skills of guidance practitioners and professionals supporting disadvantaged people accessing the labour market.

Professionals must not only know things – they must also be able to act effectively and within the given rules in their field.  This makes the case study particularly interesting for the diverse field of guidance. It is not important to use the case with a specific approach; it is important to find a way to solve the case and thereby develop and strengthen specific skills.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

All partners, can update the competences needed by Scope learning building the proper case studies and designing the settings to use them within the organization.

Name of programme:  The Foundation Villa Maraini

1. What are the objectives?

The Foundation Villa Maraini is the National Agency for Drug Addiction of the Italian Red Cross. The Foundation offers a set of services for the care and rehabilitation from drug addiction, alcohol abuse and gambling, articulated on different threshold levels: low, medium or high.

2. What are the activities?

Villa Maraini offers sevaral services, among them:

Street Unit, that allows to reach the most vulnerable, bringing aid to the streets. They spread the humanitarian policy of harm reduction in problema places, so that the active drug addict, not contract HIV, hepatitis, or other diseases sexually communicable and intervening in case of Overdose.

TIA (Integrated Outpatient Treatment): The service contains various levels of intervention, with different objectives: “Consultorio”, short duration, with an operator assigned to the counseling that transmits to the user the appropriate information; First Level Service where to welcome and direct the user to interpret and redefine his needs, evaluating their motivation and resources, building a personalized recovery treatment plan; Second Level Specialist Service, where the therapeutic path begins also to develop the physical, psychological and social resources necessary to face the therapy: weekly psychotherapeutic treatment, weekly therapy group and biweekly urine tests; A Family Service, aimed at accompanying family in the path of change through ad hoc groups and meetings.

Semi-Residential Therapeutic Community: The path takes concrete form in individualized projects and the therapeutic program is structured in a semi-diurnal daytime phase, lasting about 24 months and in an outpatient external verification phase, aimed at the complex process of social reintegration, lasting about one year. The role of operators, which favor this evolutionary process, is fundamental, supporting, supporting and stimulating users to confront each other and to value their own resources.

Other services are: Emergency Units, Drop-in Centre, Prison Project, Night Shelter, “RESTART” Program, Alternative to Detention Center, Surgey, HIV Unit, International Activities, Formation Center, Work Cooperatives

3. Who are the participants?

Villa Maraini accepts 600 clients per day and around 4000 yearly.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

Despite the very high numbers of people benefiting the services, one of the most interesting aspects is the “individual” approach, for which the therapy must adapt to the subject and not vice versa.

The person is placed at the centre of the work and the therapy is flexible, thus adapting to individual needs. Everyone can access services without any kind of prejudice and everyone has the opportunity to follow a path.

Empowerment and “peer-to-peer” education are two essential points of the approach of Villa Maraini and, in fact, many of the old beneficiaries are now integrated as operators in the structure itself.

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

The individualised approach and the peer-to-peer education, related to the empowerment of clients are two very important aspects and both of them are transferable and sustainable. For their implementation it is important the training and the updating of competences of practitioners. These activities need to be realised by each organisation involved.

Name  of  programme:  CAIS

1. What are the objectives?

To promote social integration of vulnerable populations (people in situation of poverty and/or social exclusion), throughout methodologies of empowerment/capacitation to approach or return to the labor market, helping them to regain self-esteem, skills/competences and their rightful place in society.

To promote partnerships with companies and other non-profit organizations, in order to stimulate social responsibility through employability.

To promote reflection and identification of adequate and fair social solutions for vulnerable populations with the involvement of local communities and the civil society, in order to achieve a more just society.

2. What are the activities?

CAIS Magazine – Inspired by the English magazine, The Big Issue, CAIS Magazine has proved to be an important social intervention strategy for the training and participation of citizens who are excluded or at risk of social exclusion. CAIS Magazine pretends to be an answer in the transition to an active life and the formal labor market.

CAIS Recycle – CAIS promotes the Professional Training Program (CAHO), training and integrating people in a work context. This creative shop, CAIS Recycle, develops social products through waste materials provided by various companies. This project aims the training and social-professional integration of vulnerable populations. Through the commercialization of the products it is sought to create forms of sustainability of the project and its artisans. The courses given by CAIS have a strong practical component and aim to intervene not only in the professional reintegration but also in the personal development.

CAIS Recycle has 3 areas of activity: 1) Creation / production and selling of the products; 2) Work force for production; 3) Merchandising for companies and for CAIS.

3. Who are the participants?

Persons in situation of poverty and / or at risk of social exclusion.

4. What do  you  think  would  work  well  from  this  project that  could  be  used  with  the  high  support  target  group?

• Practical courses;
• Progressive development through the formal labor market – e.g. the CAIS Recycle is seen as a temporary phase/step to achieve a formal job;
• Development of soft skills (such as communication, creation of routines, coping mechanisms, etc.);
• Screening and selection process;
• Development plan negotiated with the client (not imposed);
• Micro business;
• Awareness campaigns;
• Interagency cooperation;
• Funding (private funding combined with micro business to achieve sustainability of the project)

5. In your  opinion  how  does  this  best  practice  relate  to  the  objectives  of  The  Scope  Project?  

Transferable

Both CAIS Recycle and CAIS Magazine are projects that can be tailored to the people’s needs. They are flexible programs that can be adapted to any person. The reintegration plan is negotiated and that way manageable with any client.

Innovative

CAIS programs are innovative in the form they approach this client group. The possibility of receiving a social income (social benefit) while working for CAIS Magazine creates the necessary motivation to adhere to this programs and to continuum the pathway to a more inclusive form of life.

While working mostly with private companies, in this case as clients of the CAIS Recycle, CAIS has an opportunity to create awareness to the problems of this target group, and to reduce some gaps between marginalized populations and employers.

Sustainable

Combination of micro business, with a strong focus in companies as clients, with private funding (donation of raw materials to develop the products, private partnerships to develop some products).

Name  of  programme:  Passo a Passo (Step by Step)

1. What are the objectives?

This project co-financed by SICAD within the scope of the PORI (Reinsertion Axis) works in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia and is directed to the population of tree parishes (Santa Marinha e Afurada and Oliveira do Douro.) The work carried out with the client, by the team, privileges a (re) acquisition of personal, social and citizenship skills, allowing the acquirement of the capacity to decide on their life and to start thinking about the future, taking always aim to raise awareness of their problems in order to take a critical and proactive attitude that allows a personal insertion at various levels. The main goal is the empowerment of the clients.

2. What are the activities?

• Psychosocial support: a) Individual plan for inclusion; b) individual and family follow-up; c) emergency support; c) Healthcare office (every 2 months, with different themes).
• Educational activities – Cultural/ educational and recreational: a) art atelier (in the two years of the project there will be 20 art ateliers, each one with the duration of a month, once a week, with 8hour per month); b) Sports and physic activities (at least 10 activities, with the duration of a month each).
• Vocational Guidance: a) vocational evaluation of personal and work competences; b) labor market evaluation and individual plan; c) Development of pre professional skills.
• Skill training: a) personal skills; b) social skills; c) citizenship skills.
• Awarness and information activities: a) parental workshop; b) health care workshop; c) nutrition and household management workshops; d) self-image workshop.

3. Who are the participants?

The target-group of Passo a Passo is people who use psychoactive substance (licit and illicit), both in recovery process and actively using. They must be over 18 years old and unemployed.

4. What do  you  think  would  work  well  from  this  project that  could  be  used  with  the  high  support  target  group? 

The methodologies of Passo a Passo are based in a community and multi-systemic intervention, in close proximity and articulation with their partners. These characteristics make Passo a Passo a project with strong local bases that contribute for the social integration of the target group.

The holistic intervention (healthcare, social and recreational activities) is another feature that works with high support groups. Seeing and working with the person as a hole contributes to the motivation that this target group needs to continuum on the project.

5. In your  opinion  how  does  this  best  practice  relate  to  the  objectives  of  The  Scope  Project?  

This project found a way to work the social integration and employment issues with both active and abstinent drug users.

Transferable

The activities of the project can be tailored to the interests and competences of each group (the activities are negotiated with the clients).

Innovative

Active participation of the clients in both the design and implementation of the project. The clients are consulted from the begging of the project to define the activities that will be implemented (for example the Bakery Shop), this way the project meets the needs and interests of the client group.

Sustainable

The project is finance by the state, and has some support from the local municipality. But this doesn’t mean they aren’t constantly trying to find ways to make the project more sustainable in the future. Thus they try to create microbusiness, by selling some of the products produced in the different workshops.

Name of programme: Arbetslagsanställningar, Stockholm

1. What are the objectives?

The objectives are to engage and offer support to young people between the age of 20 and 29 with a criminal history or a socially problematic lifestyle. The aim is to support them in reducing anti-social and criminal behaviour and prepare them for studies or for entering the labour market.

2. What are the activities?

Participants will be employed from their first day without prior skills and are given the possibility to work for 6-12 months’ with salary in a custom workplace with authentic assignments.

The participants are placed in a workplace consisting of a carpentry in which they can manufacture custom-designed wood products for theatres, museums and city preschools. During their terms of employment, participants receive support in finding a longer-term solution in becoming self-sufficient. The aim is to achieve an employment in the regular or municipal labour market, or to find an appropriate study path.

Working hours of the participants are distributed between assisting in workplace production 75% of the time. Remaining 25% of the time consists of activities such as assessment exercises, job interviews, economic counselling, workplace visits, social activities and conversations with student counsellors as well as employment consultants.

The staff consists of 4 Work instructors, 3 Work consultants, 1 Administrator and 1 Director.

3. Who are the participants?

Arbetslagsanställningar (labour market program) is aimed at young adults between the ages of 20 and 29 with a criminal history or a socially problematic lifestyle. They do not have to be previously enrolled at Jobbtorg Stockholm (the Municipal Employment Service of Stockholm) but always get a contact with Jobbtorg before a work placement at Arbetslagsanställningar. Most of them are recruited from socio-economically disadvantaged areas and contacted through outreach work by the Jobbtorg Stockholm or by SIG (Social activity groups) in the city districts. Many of them have a history of using drugs and most are early school leavers.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The participants receive a paid employment in the program and the workplace is used as a platform for training both the ability to follow rules and regulations in a workplace, as well as practising social codes and receiving support and guidance towards work or studies. It is highly staffed and gives the participants the possibility to grow and develop themselves in a protected environment while being financially secure. The staff aims to build strong and supportive relationships with the participants in order to be able to balance support and demands. It creates the motivation and the security needed to start the path away from a socially problematic lifestyle.

Results 2017 (1^st of January-21^st of November 2017)

In total 60 participants (12 women) took part of the program

34 left  ”Arbetslag” during 2017 (7 women)

16 entered work or studies (6 women)

14 entered continued support by Jobbtorg Stockholm

4 other reasons for leaving

5. In your opinion, how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

Transferable

The program can be tailored to different areas or target groups. Since the concept of running a workplace, offering salary to the participants and being highly staffed means that the cost is high in comparison to other programs it is recommended to be used for a target group with a high need of support and where the costs for the community are high. The results so far have been good taking the target group into consideration, which makes it a good investment on an economic level. On an individual level the improvement in the condition of life for each young person that manages to leave a destructive, dangerous and problematic lifestyle is a great gain.

Innovative

It is innovated in its approach to working with this client group. The possibility of being paid while taking part in the program creates the motivation necessary to leave a problematic environment.

Sustainable

The programme has run in Stockholm since 2014 and the need of the programme is expressed both from the target group itself and from the social services in the city districts of Stockholm. Reducing the number of youth with a criminal lifestyle is a prioritized issue on a political level and the labour market administration is currently applying for funding to expand the programme.

Name of programme: SIG – sociala insatsgrupper, Stockholm

1. What are the objectives?

The objectives are to reach and offer support to young people between the age of 20 and 29 with a criminal lifestyle. The aim is to encourage them to insert in regular society and support them in reducing anti-social and criminal behaviour preparing them for studies or for entering the labour market.

2. What are the activities?

Outreach work and individual planning for each participant according to his or her needs. For example:

• Support in the contact with different authorities, the social service, drug treatment service, police etc..
• Support in finding a place to live.
• Support in leaving a criminal environment
• Support in getting in to Jobbtorg/Arbetslag

The outreach workers are called “lots” that could be translated in to “navigator”, the purpose is to support the young persons in navigating in to regular society. The outreach work is based on trust for the outreach workers. Though they represent the authorities, the target group does not see them as authorities. Most of the participants express bad experiences and low trust in general for the society.

3. Who are the participants?

The participants are between 20 and 29 years old, who have lived in a criminal environment. Some of them have been in prison for more or less serious crimes, but not all of them have been convicted. Mostly young men, very few women have been reached so far. Most of the participants have experience from drug use.

4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The outreach work as a link between the young persons living in the outskirts of society and the authorities, building in trust with the aim to include them and show them a legal alternative to their lifestyle. .

5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

The program has found a way to reach persons who do not trust the authorities, and guide them into society and in to the labour market.

Transferable

The program can be used to reach target groups that are hard to reach in regular outreach work. The work could be done by ONG:s but in Stockholm the funding by the city council insures the close link to the services provided by the different authorities responsible for each area (drug treatment, social service, housing, health care, labour market etc.).

Innovative

It is innovating in its approach towards this client group. The lack of trust for authorities within the target group makes it necessary to have a different approach, more open minded and flexible.

Sustainable  

SIG-groups has been run in different parts of Stockholm for several years. The methods are adapted to different local conditions, the base consisting of co-operation between different authorities and actors and a highly individualised support. Since the way of working is so different in different parts of Stockholm, a work is currently in progress at a central level to create a framework for SIG.

Name of programme: Project SUVAS outreach work, Stockholm

1. What are the objectives?

The objectives are to engage and offer support to young people between the age of 20 and 29 that are not working or studying (NEETs). The aim is to gain their trust, motivate them, support them and prepare them for studies or for entering the labour market. The target group consists of youth with a short education, youth with an immigrant background, youth with psychiatric or psychological health problems and youth with a criminal background often in combination with drug abuse.

    2. What are the activities?

Outreach work:

We have identified two methods in the outreach work, direct outreach work and indirect outreach work.

Direct out reach work

• Active fieldwork, meeting the target group on their arenas. Main component is creating a good relationship based on trust.
• Works best when reaching out to men with a anti-social behavior.
• The process is longer.

Indirect out reach work

• Collaboration with other organizations and authorities
• Works better on reaching out to women and young adults at home.
• Shorter process

The methods that we are using depends on:

• Demographic conditions: how the population looks like in every district.
• Geographic conditions: ex the outside surroundings (shopping areas, parks, feeling of safety, lightening etc.)

We are continuously creating activities for reaching out to our target group. We don´t have any ready made lists. Therefore, we use several channels. Social media like Facebook and Instagram is two channels that we use frequently in order to find our target group. We also use local newspapers and other organizations in order to find the youth. We also reach out through arranging events with influencers’, events for women only and events for parents of our target group etc. However, the most important successful method that we use is ourselves. By that, we mean that creating a good relationship is the main key to a successful mission.

The outreach work is only one part of the important job that we do for the target group. Within our organization, Jobbtorg Stockholm we have the cities job centers for youth. They are the next step of support for the youth that we reach. It is essential to have a receiver that shares the same values while giving support. If not you risk losing the target group thus wasting the job done and an important relationship.

The staff consists of nine youth consultants/advisors, two study and career counsellors, one administrator, one controller, one communicator and one project manager.

     3. Who are the participants?

Our target group are young adults between the ages of 20 and 29 year old with a lack of employment (NEET). A NEET is a young person who is “Not in Education, Employment, or Training Neither in employment or education. Many of them are early school leavers.

   4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

Investing in outreach work is an investment for the future. Outreach work creates possibilities for individuals who are suspicious against authorities. Being available for the target group on their conditions will set a foundation for a good relationship. You need to create a trustful relationship in order to proceed in the process of what we want for the individuals, supporting them towards education or employment. You need to have several methods to reach out to the target group. It is very important to understand that each person is unique and therefore it is all about being available and flexible. Once you have built a base of trust based on respect for the individual and the special needs of the individual it works as a platform for further support. This is especially important while working with youth that risk being stigmatized often carrying a high degree of suspicion towards authorities.

   5. In your opinion, how does this best practice relate to the objectives of The Scope Project?

The aim of the Scope Project is to get more information regarding ways to support people with a drug related problem towards the labour market. To be able to give support you need to reach the target group and motivate them to take part of support. This project will work as a first step of support.

Transferable

Reach out work can be transformed in larger or smaller scales, which makes it easier to transfer to different circumstances. Since the work is carried out in a variety of different methods, it is also possible to use one or more methods in accordance with the organizations needs and possibilities.

Innovative

Outreach work is per definition a method that cannot stagnate. The possibility of being reached by the outreach work and later Jobbtorg creates possibilities for each single individual in a way that is not possible if the society waits for the individual to reach out for support. Only by meeting the target group where they are can we hope to diminish the group of NEETs and especially those in that group that have the biggest needs.

Sustainable   

The work is being systematized and is carried out in close co-operation with the ordinary services, which is a guarantee for an easy implementation.

Name of programme:  The Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP)

1. What are the objectives?

The Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP) is a community response to drug and alcohol misuse.  As a response that has come from within the community of Ballymun, BYAP strives to reduce the negative impact of drug and alcohol use on the lives of individuals and families, and on the community of Ballymun.   The BYAP believes: That individuals with addictions can and do recover; the families of those affected by addiction do not have to cope alone; that the community can be an effective place to recover. The Ethos of BYAP is rooted in: valuing individuality; valuing the capacity of individuals, families and communities

2. What are the activities?

Counselling: Counselling within the Ballymun Youth Action Project works with the individual’s intention to change, and works to promote their well-being.  The counselling provided also works with individuals to contain and manage crisis situations that are linked to the impact of drug or alcohol use.  Counselling is provided for individuals who themselves are using or have used substances, but is also provided to others, including family members, who have not been involved in substance use, but who have been affected by such use.

Contact project: The team within the Contact Project make contact with individuals who have problematic substance use issues and who are not engaged, or engaged sufficiently, with services. Having made contact, they provide a space where the person can explore their issues around their substance use and its impact, and work with the person to achieve their identified goals, which may include referrals to other services, including BYAP.

Aftercare: The Aftercare Team provide ongoing support for people in recovery, or those that have made significant positive changes in respect of their drug use, in order to maintain and reinforce the positive changes.  This work is done on a one to one basis, and within a group setting.

Day Programme:   The activity of the Day Programme assists individuals in achieving increased stability and making positive changes in their lives, through the provision of regular structured workshops or courses.  These courses are developed with reference to the needs emerging from those accessing the service, and other emerging needs identified.

   3. Who are the participants?

The participants are drug users and their families living in Ballymun and the surrounding areas.

   4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The project outlook aims to meet the needs of participants and their families where there are issues related to problem drug and/or alcohol use.

 5.  In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

The project idea is easily transferred to other EU-states., BYAP regularly evaluates and reviews its service and immerging needs of the community, striving always to meet those needs. Its Sustainable, Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP) was founded in 1981

Name of programme: NAA (Antidrug Agency Romania);

1. What are the objectives?

Their aim is to strengthen client’s participating in their individual plans and to integrate them into society.  This is done through many supports for participants to include social inclusion, drug prevention and treatment support.

     2. What are the activities?

The activities include developing of programmes for people at high risk, support in finding the steps they need to enter drug treatment, drug use reduction and Case managing of individual care plans with ongoing open communication with participants.

    3. Who are the participants?

The participants are with problematic drug and gambling addictions.  The project have a capacity to engage with 35 participants both male and female.

    4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The project outlook and services provided would already be mirrored across many services in Europe, such as its person centred specified service for participants with high support needs.

    5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

Transferable

The project idea is easily transferred inside of Romania.  If funds are existing it would be transferrable to other EU-states.

Innovative

The general idea is innovative and could be used in other countries

Sustainable

The company already exists since 2012 and is approved for the European drug strategy 2013 to 2020

Name of programme:  ARAS (Romanian Anti-AIDS Association)

1. What are the objectives?

Their aim is to strengthen client’s participating in their individual plans and to integrate them into society.  This is done through many supports for participants to include advocacy, treatment, harm reduction and mental health support needs.

     2. What are the activities?

The activities include HIV testing, drop in service, outreach service, provision of medication and ongoing open communication with participants.   They primarily care for people with Aids, HIV and health issues.

     3. Who are the participants?

The participants are drug users and the outlook for the project is that all drug users rights are human rights.  The project currently have 400 participants both male and female.

     4. What do you think would work well from this project that could be used with the high support target group?

The project outlook and services provided would already be mirrored across many services in Europe, such as its person centred specified service for participants with high support needs.

     5. In your opinion how does this best practice relate to the objectives of the Scope Project?

Transferable

The project idea is easily to transferred, inside of Romania and if funds are existing to other EU-states.

Innovative

The general idea is innovative in other countries

Sustainable

The company already exists since 2007