Q work!

“Q pracy!” (Work!) – a project worth PLN 1,571,725.02, implemented between 15 June 2012 and 31 September 2015 under Measure 1.2 of the Human Capital Operational Programme

The Foundation's first innovative pilot project, implemented under the patronage of the Ombudsman for Children, raising the issue of educational methods in the process of helping children in care and educational institutions become independent. As part of the project, we conducted a study on the psychosocial and material situation of independent pupils of care and educational institutions. The report from the study is available in the publications tab.

Based on our experience of working in small children's homes in the Tri-City area and the recommendations of the above-mentioned report, we have developed a preliminary model of educational work focused on the education and professional activation of pupils of care and educational institutions based on tri-sector cooperation. The model is a compendium of knowledge for entities establishing or running small care and educational institutions. An innovative feature is the approach to education, which changes the perspective on preparing pupils for independence:

• Instead of starting the process of becoming independent when the pupil leaves the facility, the process begins when the child is admitted to the facility.
• Instead of a carer, there is an educator-mentor.
• Instead of intra-sectoral cooperation, there is inter-sectoral cooperation.
• Instead of general Individual Work Plans, there are subject-specific Individual Work Plans focused on preparing pupils for independence after leaving the facility.

The developed model of educational work is being tested in six care and educational institutions in Pomerania in organisations run by the BONAFIDE Foundation, Towarzystwo Nasz Dom, Fundacja Rodzinny Gdańsk and Gdańska Fundacja Innowacji Społecznej. After the testing phase and positive validation, the model will be disseminated throughout the country during regional conferences in Krakow, Olsztyn, Warsaw and Gdańsk. The model is available in the publications tab.

The project is implemented in partnership with Grupa Kombinat Sp. z o.o Sp.k. and the Pomeranian Provincial Headquarters of the Voluntary Labour Corps. The project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund.