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Description
Project objective is to increase the well-being of children and families and improve the quality of life. The project focuses on improving the early detection and support of children’s support needs. Local level support services should be provided through a simple and logical system for children and parents, where assistance is provided proactively in a coordinated and efficient manner across sectors and local governments.
The project activities will result in the creation and piloting of an integrated case management cooperation model across the fields of education, social affairs and health care, connecting local governments of Tartu County that enhances the early detection of the need for assistance and provision of support, alleviates the shortage of support specialists in smaller local governments and reduces fragmentation of services. Additionally, a toolbox for assessment tools will be created and training will be provided for basic schoolteachers and SEN coordinators for early detection of a child’s support needs as well as SEN coordinators will be trained in key social and child protection topics.
Summary of project results
Project objective was to increase the well-being of children and families and improve the quality of life. The project focused on improving the early detection and support of children’s support needs in Tartu county. Local level support services should be provided through a simple and logical system for children and parents, where assistance is provided proactively in a coordinated and efficient manner across sectors and local governments.
The project activities resulted in the creation and piloting of an integrated case management cooperation model across the fields of education, social affairs and health care in order to enhance the early detection of the need for assistance and provision of support, alleviates the shortage of support specialists in smaller local governments and reduces fragmentation of services. Two models were developed: a) a model within one local government and b) a model engaging all local governments of Tartu county.
Additionally, a toolbox for assessment tools was created (evaluating the well-being of a child and foundations for successful conversations) and training was provided for 83 basic schoolteachers and special educational needs'' (SEN) coordinators for early detection of a child’s support needs.
A goodwill agreement was signed between the local governments of Tartu (Kambja, Elva, Kastre, Luunja, Nõo, Peipsiääre, Tartu city and Tartu municipality) to continue implementing the integrated cooperation and case management model in order to enhance the early detection of the need for assistance and provision of education support to children at risk.
The integrated models are being used and provide a more informed roles and responsibilities of parties and more efficient action. The results of the project have been included in the development documents of Tartu county, and therefore granting a strategic and sustainable approach.
The cooperation across local governments is ensured by the Associationof Municipalities of Tartu County Home – Tartumaa Omavalitsuste Liit and the Centre of Tartu Educational Support Services Hariduse Tugiteenuste Keskus (tartu.ee) that are the cooperation organisers and supervisors of the integrated educational support services.
Summary of bilateral results
Trond Rekstad is a education sector expert in four areas of Stavanger region. He organised a study trip for Tartu experts to Stavanger, carried out workshops and introduced the cooperation model implemented in Stavanger region. Estonian experts also met with researches at the University of Stavanger to share results of a recent study concerning supporting childen in need of educational support in Norway. Continued cooperation is planned (i.e. Stavanger counselling centre activities on supporting the teachers).