School of Social Work Theory and Practice, Inter-University Centre, Dubrovnik, June 9th–13th
Social work and deinstitutionalisation: Deinstitutionalisation – global strategies and local accounts
(a provisional programme)
Deinstitutionalisation has become central to social work, as it changed the lives of service users, its multidisciplinary work, its organisation, methods and the epistemological position. Recognition of service users’ strengths and potential for recovery in its new meaning became possible only with deinstitutionalisation. This radical change has implications also to the interactions and power relations between social workers and service users, their family members, other professions and the general public.
We explore the deinstitutionalisation in different settings. We learn from the experiences of people who have experienced institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation how to prevent mini institutionalisation and trans-institutionalisation in the community.
Course directors (alphabetically):
Vito Flaker, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Shula Ramon, University of Hertfordshire, England
Lorenzo Toresini, Centre for Research in Mental Health (formerly), Merano, Italy
2014 Organising director:
Vito Flaker, Faculty for Social Work, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Phone: +386 31872847
Email:
Course description:
Since its inception, after World War Two, deinstitutionalisation has become an international platform both globally as well as in European Union. The right to live in the community is being warranted by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and constitutes a legal base for the policies and practices of deinstitutionalisation. Stories of deinstitutionalisation in different countries, even towns, differ, however. Some countries have made considerable changes in the provision of care across different sectors, some only regarding specific groups; some have already quite a history of closing down the institutions, some have only began recently. In some instances movements were the main vehicle of change, in some it was more a top down reform. This year we want to ‘compare the notes’, talk about the different stories and different outcomes. This is important since the process has commenced in some countries anew and because there are some issues still unanswered in the settings where it has been carried out. Also the deinstitutionalisation is an important part of changes happening globally. Fight against closure is one of the items on the agenda of the new social movements and it can be a model for reconstructing the communities.
Programme (provisional)
Monday, 9th June
10.00–10.30 Welcome and introduction to the course (course directors)
10.30–12.00 Brief presentations of the state of process in the participants’ countries (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, UK).
12.00–13.00 Vito Flaker (SLO): Open issues in the deinstitutionalisation: institutions, movements, communities and cooperatives
14.00–14.30 Andreja Rafaelič, Simona Ratajc (SLO): Planning the reform in Slovenia
14.30–15.00 Katarina Ficko, Darja Caserman, Asja Hrvatin (SLO): Attempts in resettlement (a case history)
15.00–17.00 Small group discussion and plenary report (Leader Miroslav Brkić)
Tuesday, 10th June
9.00–10.30 Jan Pfeiffer (CZ): EU Platform for deinstitutionalisation and experiences of Czech Republic
10.30–11.00 Miroslav Brkić, Dragana Stanković (SRB): Conceptual and normative frameworks of deinstitutionalisation in Serbia
11.00–12.30 Mirko Jankelić, Monika Škundrić, Milana Počuča (SRB): Challenges and obstacles in transforming institutions
12.30–13.00 Reception of the IUC president
14.00–14.30 Goran Čerkez (BIH): Development of community services as a means of social inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina
14.30–17.00 Using ordinary resources in the community – workshop in small groups – (Leaders: Miroslav Brkić and Dragana Stanković)
Wednesday, 11th June
Visit to the residential institution in Blato, island of Korčula
9.00–10.00 Nikola Jelovac (HR/A): Comparing experiences in community based mental health services in Croatia and Austria
10.00–11.00 Ladislav Lamza (HR): Transformation of the institution in Osijek, Croatia
11.00–12.00 Presentation of the transformation plan of the institution in Blato (workers of the facility – HR)
13.00–15.00 What a transformation plan consists of? Workshop including all the participants. Workshop leader: Luciano Sorrentino
Thursday, 12th June
9.00–10.00 Richard Warner (USA): Risk states of psychosis and early intervention controversies
10.00–11.00 Jean-Yves Feberey (F): Recent developments in mental health in France: blocks and opportunities
11.00–12.00 Bruno Norcio, Luciano Sorrentino (I): Where is the Italian reform now?
12.00–13.00 Small group discussion
14.00–16.00 Similarities and differences in various countries – small group discussion (workshop leaders Lorenzo Toresini and Andreja Rafaelič)
Friday, 13th June
9.00–10.00 LorenzoToresini: What is really Mental Illness? From the magic shamanic world to Luigi Pirandello
10.00–13.00 Narratives of deinstitutionalisation – who and by what means enacts the change (workshop of all the participants, work in small groups – leader Vito Flaker)
13.00 Conclusions, evaluation and farewell
Recommended reading:
Common European Guidelines on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care
Available at: www.deinstitutionalisationguide.eu