The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted even more the environments in which children grow and develop, and to have several negative consequences for their well-being and protection. Children and families who are vulnerable due to socio-economic exclusion or those who live in residential settings are particularly at protection risks. Increased demands put on the social welfare system in the current situation to ensure protection of the most vulnerable beneficiaries place an additional burden on professionals. Being responsible for their own health as well as of their beneficiaries, they are at higher risk to cope with the demand and delivery quality services. This is particularly important within the ongoing efforts and some of the challenges the system and professionals are facing in particular in relation to their already limited capacities to perform in a timely and quality manner.
Having in mind the system capacities and additional constrains faced within the COVID19 context, the proposed project AIMS to contribute to strengthening social service workforce in ensuring continuity, relevance, timeliness and quality of protection of social services’ delivery for the most vulnerable children and families, by establishment of volunteer service and interactive platform for practitioners and faculty students.
More specific objectives include:
a. Expanding knowledge on alternative methods for follow-up with clients when home visits are impossible;
b. Increasing knowledge on increased distress among children and families (including among children in alternative care, children with disabilities, etc.) so as tomainstream psycho-social support into the service provision;
c. Enhancing timely respond to incidents/emergency cases with particular focus on victims of neglect, violence and abuse.
The main expected result of the project is establishment of a coordinated on-line information, knowledge and good practice sharing platform at the FPN web-site, including through the following outputs:
• Needs based repository of relevant documents and practical professional guidance established and continuously updated,
• Establishment and continual running of interactive platform for knowledge sharing, including through realization of thematic webinars and different forms ofdiscussions