From how those in need of social assistance are identified to how to prevent "emotional burnout" among their staff – colleagues from Lepel shared their accumulated experience with directors and heads of departments of Social Service Territorial Centers of the Vitebsk region. Within the framework of the training seminar "Organization of the Social Assistance Department's Work at the State Institution Territorial Center for Social Services," numerous issues were discussed.
The seminar was opened by the Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Nikolai Nikitin. He emphasized that social service is a special institution where random people cannot work. Next, the guests were introduced to our region through a documentary film.
Vera Astapenko, Head of the Department for Social Support of the Population and Stationary Institutions of the Committee for Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee, noted:
- There are seven departments operating here, while the national average is mostly 4-5. Last year, two departments were opened – urgent social services and targeted social assistance. In the near future, a day care department for the elderly will be opened. Compared to last year, the number of clients served has increased by 20 people. Reaching everyone in need and extending their stay at home is one of the economically viable forms of work. In the first quarter of this year, the home social assistance department earned over 32 million rubles...
A Specific Example
The guests were able to see firsthand what the Lepel center is like during a tour. In front of the administrative building, Zinaida Simako, the department head, spoke about the new urgent social service department. Household equipment was also demonstrated here. Digging a garden, mowing grass, painting a house, chopping firewood – these tasks are performed by three employees. Incidentally, in September, the men will undergo further training: they will master the professions of electrician, and possibly stove-setter. By the way, household assistance is not the only service that can be obtained from the department; it offers 130 types of one-off services. For example, among the new services are those of Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden). The center has two vehicles for trips to medical facilities and social service points. One of them is equipped with a lift for wheelchairs. After seeing it in action, the tour participants headed to the territorial center. The first to greet the guests was Tatyana Misnik, head of the targeted social assistance department:
- In 2012, targeted assistance was provided to 1748 citizens for an amount exceeding one billion seven hundred million rubles. A new type of social assistance – compensation for the cost of purchasing diapers – is in demand. Last year, 66 people used it, and this year – already 127. Now, material assistance for breast prosthetics can be obtained here.
The office clerk and occupational safety inspector, Tatyana Ardynovich, spoke about the documentation updates. Legal counsel Alexey Turkov also answered pressing questions. Psychologist Ella Khatskevich noted that personal consultations have recently become very popular. Psychological assistance is one of the activities of the social adaptation and rehabilitation department.
The hosts also introduced the club activities of the day care centre for disabled people. Visitors were found working on their next craft in the decorative and applied arts club. Guests did not leave empty-handed. Everyone received a "tree of happiness, luck, and well-being" as a gift. Incidentally, a tree with branches corresponding to the seven departments was chosen as the centre's symbol.
The fact that people with disabilities are keeping up with the times by learning computer literacy was confirmed by the head of the "Pascal" club, a second-group disabled person, Alexey Shevchenko.
- I enjoy it, of course, - Sergey Aksenovich shared his impressions of exercising on the equipment in the physical rehabilitation room.
They were greeted with songs and the anthem.
The tour of the centre concluded with a visit to the assembly hall, where the ensemble "Miatlitsa" of the district organisation of the Belarusian Association of the Visually Impaired (BelTIZ) was already waiting for the guests. Social workers performed their anthem, and the director, Natalia Ivanova, presented the centre's work in a presentation. From statistics to the results of international cooperation – Natalia Viktorovna highlighted many aspects. For example, for many years, the centre has been cooperating with the International Charitable Organisation "Ecodom" from Germany. As part of a joint project in 2012, houses were renovated for four lonely elderly citizens, costing over 15 million roubles. In December 2012, cooperation was established with the International Public Association "Vzaymoponimanie" from Minsk. Technical means of social rehabilitation, medical devices, diapers – for these needs, 15 victims of Nazism received over 35 million roubles within the framework of the project "Help Far and Near". This year, the investment project "Charounaya Baznya" was launched: 350 million roubles were allocated for the construction of a bathhouse for residents of the "Sviatlica" 24-hour stay department. This year, the German association "EcoDom" will be involved in the reconstruction of the building for the day care department for disabled people…
The head of the social home care department, Elvira Podlepenkina, spoke about the organisation of its work. She noted that the number of people served at home is constantly growing: for example, if at the beginning of last year there were 363 people, then by June of this year – there were already 430. This trend requires specialists to improve their professionalism. Twenty social workers have already completed two sessions of professional training courses at the Lepel Vocational Lyceum. Within the framework of the "School of Social Worker" project, specialists from various departments – from representatives of the district emergency services department to lawyers – provide consultations.
“Best in Profession” is the title awarded to the winner of the traditional professional skills competition. Last year, six meetings of the attestation commission were held, where four employees received the first category, and 13 received the second. However, like any job, social assistance has its drawbacks. The “Prizyvaniye” professional burnout school helps social workers get rid of nervous tension. Psychologist Ella Khatskevich demonstrated one of the elements of the socio-psychological training to the guests. Playing relaxing music, she invited social workers to sculpt their emotional state out of plasticine and put the accumulated negativity into this figure. The group also had to prepare a joint composition. Ella Valeryevna did not forget to remind them of the positive aspects – smiling at each other and offering good wishes. Observing the training from the outside, the spectators also received a boost of good mood. The psychologist conducts such sessions once a month with three groups. There is also an opportunity to receive individual consultations. Another form of joint recreation is trips to the swimming pool at the “Zhemchuzhina” Children's Rehabilitation and Health Center.
The seminar participants spent a considerable amount of time getting acquainted with the center, but the meeting did not end there. The guests were also expected to visit the “Sviatlica” 24-hour stay department.
Ekaterina OSOVSKAYA