A LIST OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY VILNIUS ŽOLYNAS CHILDREN ‘S SOCIAL CARE HOME

Providing information – Employees provide the child and his / her relatives with information on social care and other services that are available at the children’s social care homes, where to get free legal aid, social assistance and other help in different municipalities. An environment is created for the child to have easy access to the necessary information from other institutions (like education, vocational training, employment, etc.). The confidentiality of the information about the child is ensured.

Counseling – Easy access to obtain the necessary information from children’s social care homes and other institutions, is given. The rules, duties and rights of the internal workings of the Children’s Social Care Home are provided. When a problem arises, effective solutions are sought with the child as far as the employee’s competencies allow.

Mediation and representation – Assistance is provided to the child in solving various problems they encounter (legal, health, household, social, processing personal documents, paying taxes), in the institutions necessary for the administration of his / her property. The child is represented in defending his or her legitimate interests when the court decides that the foster home is the child’s guardian and/or property administrator.

Accommodation – The child is provided with a living space, accommodating 2 children per room, acknowledging the interests and needs of those living in the room.

Provision of clothing, footwear – Provision of clothing, footwear, bedding, equipment and facilities to meet special needs. The children, with the minimal help from social workers, purchase clothes and footwear themselves. Together with the family worker, they buy the goods the family needs.

Organization of leisure and activities – Conditions have been created for children’s self-expression by choosing educational institutions that meet their needs and hobbies. Various leisure events are organised: meetings with interesting/influential people, birthdays, etc. Organising cultural activities: national and traditional holiday celebrations. Sightseeing trips, trips to concerts, theatres, exhibitions, sports events, public celebrations, etc. are organized. Enabling children to participate in community life through a variety of activities.

Development and maintenance of daily life skills – Provision of services aimed at developing and increasing (motivating) independence: assistance in managing personal funds, planning, shopping, performing various functions necessary for personal or social life (personal hygiene, self-management, household chores, communication and etc.).

Development of work skills (engagement in activities) – Work activities are organized individually and in families. Children’s work skills are developed in daily self-management and targeted activities. It is possible to choose the offered activities according to hobbies: handicrafts, taking care of flowers, house cleaning, landscaping, etc.

Organization of personal hygiene services – Personal hygiene services are provided in a social care home: individual hygiene products, washing machines and other equipment. Children use washing machines, dryers, showers, baths, etc. independently.

Meals – When organizing meals, hygiene standards and legislation are taken into account. Children help decide which products to buy for their social family, and what meals should be on the menu. Children are involved in buying and cooking food. If necessary, meals are changed according to specific dietary requirements set by a doctor. Children are also given the opportunity to prepare their own food.

Organization of health care services – Doctor checks for mental and physical health are organised. Medication is provided, and if needed nursing care is given too. If needed, children are hospitalized and health resort treatment is organized. Prevention of injuries, accidents and diseases is carried out. Children’s living environment and living conditions are constantly monitored.

Social work, communication – Social work for children is organized according to individual social care plans prepared by specialists working directly with the child. The child is encouraged to have a personal trustee (his/her own person). Social Care Home is cooperating with state and municipal institutions and establishments to help with the organization and provision of social care, search for guardians (caregivers) and adoption. Helping (encouraging) to communicate in various respectful forms with relatives and other members of the community. The main communication partners are social workers and their assistants.

Organization of transportation services – Children are provided with Vilnius public transport cards, which are topped up periodically. Social families have access to a personal shuttle service or, if necessary, assistance from the driver or other administrative staff.

Organization of educational services – By organizing the education of children according to age, conditions have been created for the education of pre-school (1-5 year-olds) and pre-primary (5-6 year olds) children. Conditions have been created for school-age children to study in state schools. Opportunities to receive non-formal education services in city institutions have been created. Minors who have completed lower secondary education are helped to continue their education in vocational schools.

Other services required according to the person’s level of independence and needs – Psychological assistance is provided – the aim is to help solve the psychological, personal and educational problems working directly with the child, the staff of the social care home, and the caregivers. Education of the social care home community on the topical issues of child, pedagogical and social psychology is provided. Children themselves are involved in the process of improving their quality of life. Children and staff analyze the quality of social services provided, express their opinions, make suggestions, and organize various activities that help improve children’s social skills.