National Groups of Experts
Creation and organisation of work-groups with experts in Portugal, Bulgaria and Croatia, composed of teenagers living autonomously, foster care professionals, NGDOs and state bodies that address questions related to childhood and adolescence.
In the course of five meetings, these groups will (i) design a document comprehending all the national needs identified; (ii) develop political and legal proposals and (iii) establish a set of common work methodologies among foster homes and foster care professionals, particularly focused on the autonomy process.
National Forums with Experts
These events aim to disseminate the national action plan among experts in the Protection of Children and Teenagers at Risk, thus favouring the discussion about the recommendations and the proposed mechanisms of support targeting the autonomy of the target-group. The main goal is to collect new perspectives that will expectantly contribute to improve the action plan and include other professionals in advocacy actions developed to implement said methodologies.
European Committee of Experts
The representatives of the Experts’ Groups from each country will establish a Committee focused on the discussion of recommendations and good practices to improve and support teenagers who are going through the autonomy process. One of the key-objectives is the definition of transnational recommendations on the rights of children and teenagers living in foster homes, which will later be presented at the European Parliament.
This dimension includes the adaptation of a training programme focused on professionals who work in the child protection field, which will be tested in pilot-sessions and later disseminated – after its thorough implementation and assessment. Then, all the participants of said sessions will be asked to train other professionals from the technical and educational teams of foster homes who deal with children and teenagers going through pre-autonomy processes.
The training manual will be available online, thus facilitating its dissemination and reaching a higher number of people interested in the theme.
Info-Desk
This service focuses on teenagers going through a pre-autonomy/autonomy process and it aims to provide guidelines, support, information and advices to teenagers and young adults living in foster care, thus promoting successful processes of autonomy, positive transitions and social inclusion. This service will available every day through telephone, so all individuals can resort to it whenever they need it. The support and monitoring of these teenagers are based on the creation of a multidisciplinary network of professionals (education, employment, healthcare, etc.) who are interested and committed to collaborate with this service.
Workshops on life autonomy
This dimension includes several workshops on “Preparation for an autonomous/independent life” to teenagers – which will focus on the following:
– Employment (job searching; how to write a CV; preparing for a job interview; work ethics and attitudes, etc.);
– Management of household income;
– Social support network;
– Healthier lifestyle habits;
– The importance of leisure;
– Relationships and sexual health.
Discussion groups
These groups will favour socialisation experiences and the sharing of experiences between young adults who have lived in foster homes and teenagers going through said period and preparing themselves to transition to adulthood.
Mentorship programme
Teenagers who have lived in foster home will develop this programme and act as mentors/peer educators to other individuals, in order to empower and help them during the transitional period right after leaving foster care.
