Preventing the risks of exclusion of families with difficulties

Host Country : Italy

Place and date : Rome , 24. - 25.2.2005

Peer countries : Bulgaria - Cyprus - Ireland - Malta - Poland - Romania

This project in the province of Campobasso aims to help families at risk of social exclusion who for a variety of reasons find it difficult to maintain a peaceful family environment and properly manage relations between parents and children. It works by building up around them a solidarity network, and implementing social action in order to make foster care and institutionalisation ever less necessary. The project specifically targets children and young people at risk of marginalisation and their social environment, minors with a criminal or judicial proceeding pending, and families with disabled children.

The priority objectives of the project include:

avoiding having to take children away from homes, re-establishing and improving normal family relations and recovering families' educational resources
improving parents' ability to manage domestic affairs and to look after their children
creating a network of links between the family and its environment
promoting a process to offer real solutions to family problems
preventing psychological and social problems in minors by promoting the balanced and harmonious development of their personalities

These aims are addressed through the co-operation of various social partners to build up a solidarity network around the family. Family support activities include help with caring for children during their first three months of life, help for children who face difficulties at school, and help at the most critical points throughout the day. Economic support, in the form of a fund which families can apply to, is also planned. This approach is thought to be a viable alternative to bringing families into an office for family therapy.

The project team, composed of by psycho-social experts, assesses the children's risk of marginalisation and arranges the intervention of relevant support services. The team also encourages children and young people to get involved in the educational and recreational activities which form part of the prevention project.

The project has a two-level system of evaluation and monitoring of the results. At the local level, the team members draft a report every three months assessing the results achieved. These reports are distributed among the partners (local agencies and authorities) involved in the project activities. At the global level, all relevant actors meet twice a year to assess progress.

Agenda - | en |

Peer Review manager

Mr Kai Leichsenring ( European Centre )

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Preventing the risks of exclusion of families with difficulties

Host Country : Italy

Place and date : Rome , 24. - 25.2.2005

Peer countries : Bulgaria - Cyprus - Ireland - Malta - Poland - Romania

Peer Review manager

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