deinstitutionalization process
DESCRIPTION
Deinstitutionalization Process. Photo: Carolyn Drake. Regional Conference on Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities Moscow, September 27-29, 2011. Anahit Bakhshyan , Member of Parliament Meri Poghosyan , UNICEF Armenia. 605,000. 605,000. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION PROCESS
Regional Conference on Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities Moscow, September 27-29, 2011
Photo: Carolyn Drake
Anahit Bakhshyan, Member of ParliamentMeri Poghosyan, UNICEF Armenia
605,000
605,000
Is the number of children living in residential institutions in 27 CEECIS countries.
Photo: www.thepromise.org.uk
605,000 CHILDREN IN CEECIS FACE THE RISK OF
Violence and abuse because of isolation and closed structure of most institutions
Discrimination/labeling from wider society
Insufficient provision of basic needs because of insufficient funds, corruption and lack of monitoring
Being institutionalized as adults as well
605 000 CHILDREN IN CEECIS HAVE HIGHER PROBABILITY OF
impaired early brain development poor physical and emotional health poor self-confidence lack of empathy and understanding of others aggression towards others, cruelty to animals autistic tendencies, self harming problems with relationships conflict with the law in adolescence and young
adulthood
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR CHILDREN?
Reunification with the natural/extended family Substitute family
Short, medium and long term foster careEmergency foster careSpecialized foster careRespite careCommunity-based small group homes
Adoption Inclusion into mainstream schools (for education
institutions)
DEFINING DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION
De-institutionalising and transforming children’s services is a collection of activities: it is not just the removal of children from institutions. Rather it is a systematic, policy driven change which results in considerably less reliance on residential care and an increase in services aimed at keeping children within their families and communities.
Mulheir et al (2007)
Less costly in the long run Best interests of the child
CONSTRAINTS TO DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION
Conceptual Level Prevalence of medical vs. social model of disability Unawareness about the harms of institutionalization Lack of political will/vision/commitment Stereotypes and prejudices
Policy Making Level Lack of appropriate legislation Lack of intersectoral/interministerial cooperation Allocations needed to cover transition costs
CONSTRAINTS TO DEINSTITUTIONALIZATIONProcess Level Financing mechanism
• Sector – to –sector budget transfers• National level to community budget transfers
Management Capacity • Lack of capacity to manage de-institutionalization process
(resource reallocation, re-profiling of staff, etc.)
Insufficiently developed social services Case management Monitoring of child rights in alternative care
Mainstream system not fitting the needs of every child
CONSTRAINTS TO DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION
Stakeholder level Special schools and institutions
Professional convictions Fear of loss of financing (per capita) Fear of loss of jobs
Mainstream Schools• Lack of teacher capacity and resources• Discriminatory attitudes from teachers and parents and
community in general Families• Reluctance to raise their children in the families• Perceived fear of discrimination
FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL
FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL
Strategic Plan Outline Rationale for the choice of institution Mission statement or statement of intent Timescale Projected costs Available resources Additional resources required Partners Methodology Designated project management personnel Strategies to address resistance
FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL
Strategic Plan Outline- Continued
System for evaluating and monitoring the quality of both process and outcomes for the children
Details of services to be developed (both prevention and placement services)
Building plans for the new services Plans for use of the building currently housing the institution Plans for the location of services Plans for the phased preparation and movement of children Plans for redeployment/selection and training of personnel
Source: Mulheir et al (2007)
LEVELS OF INTERVENTION Number level System level Paradigm/ mindset level
SYSTEM LEVEL PROBLEMS NEED SYSTEM LEVEL SOLUTIONS
DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION IN ARMENIA
Facts and Figures
Over 1700 children with special needs in inclusive schools
2800 children in special schools 1050 children in orphanages 800 in night-care institutions 23 children in foster families
DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION IN ARMENIANumber Level Intervention (education) Increased number of inclusive schools from 0 to 81 in 10
years Decreased number of special schools from 40 to 23
(only 10 were mainstreamed) Increased per-capita financing for SEN students Increased number of trained teachers
Mindset/Paradigm Level Intervention Introduction of Inclusive Pedagogy in Pedagogical
University Awareness-raising, non-discrimination campaigns
DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION IN ARMENIA
System Level Intervention
Legally stipulated right of parent to opt for mainstream school De-I of orphanages officially declared as government priority Creation of Integrated Social Services declared as government
priority; pilot to be launched with UNICEF Assistance Inter-ministerial Commission on Integrated Social Services and
Working Group on De-I Master Plan (planned) Amendments to the Law On Education Creation of institute of Teacher Assistant in 1 region (pilot)
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON GENERAL EDUCATION
Main Amendments Elimination of special standards of education (unified
curriculum) Transformation of 10 special schools into regional
Psycho-pedagogical centers (PPCs) PPCs serve as resource centers PPCs evaluate special needs PPCs retain right to educate children with severe mental
retardation and multiple disability
Will the amendments help?
Discussion
REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READINGS Garcia et al (2003) “Children in Institutions: The Beginning
of the End? The Cases of Italy, Spain, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Innocenti Insight”, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
Mulheir et al (2007). “De-institutionalising and Transforming Children’s Services: A Guide to Good Practice”.
UN (2010) Guidelines to Alternative Care of Children, UN resolution 64/142
UNICEF Social Monitor (2004) WHO (2010) “Better health, better lives: children and young
people with intellectual disabilities and their families”.