Problem addressed

Across the European Union, hundreds of thousands of persons with disabilities, persons with mental health problems, older people and children live in segregated institutions. These were originally created to provide care, food and shelter, but proved to be harmful to their quality of life and participation in the community and wider society.

Greece is among the Member States in which the European Commission identified the need for deinstitutionalisation (DI) reforms to create support systems in the community. 

Innovative solution

The Technical Support on deinstitutionalisation (DI) process in Greece project aims to provide assistance to the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) in:

1. Completing the DI national Strategy, Roadmap and Action Plan methodologies and procedures enable the effective implementation of the deinstitutionalisation process;
2. Defining and implementing processes and methodologies to run and manage the DI programme;
3. Creating tools for a clear communication with individuals and key stakeholders involved in the deinstitutionalisation process allows to have adequate support structures in place in the community;
4. Developing and providing training programmes to support the DI process for staff and managers have the skills and knowledge to implement the deinstitutionalisation process.

Key results and benefits

Component 1: Development of a roadmap and action plan

• Strategic review of the Greek social care system EN  GR
• ­National DI strategy EN  GR
• Roadmap for the implementation of the DI strategy EN  GR
• Action plan accompanying the DI strategy EN  GR
• Roadmap for the consultation with relevant stakeholders EN  GR

Component 2:   Development of methodologies and procedures for DI

• Needs assessment protocol developed and adapted to Greek context EN  GR
• Mapping exercise and analysis/review of support services and procedures implemented in the community in GreeceEN  GR
• Factsheets on best practices on community-based living
  • Amalthea, Family support and foster care services  EN GR
  • ESTIA, Centre for support of persons with intellectual Disabilities  EN  GR
  • Help at Home, Support for elder persons   EN  GR
  • Keystone Human Services, A Holistic approach enabling individuals to live in the community  EN   GR
  • KVPS, Support services for children with disabilities   EN   GR
  • MARGARITA, Preparatory programme for the independent living of individuals   EN   GR
  • Petagma, Parents' Association for supported living of persons with intellectual disabilities  EN   GR
  • Pro ACT Support, Community-based living for individuals with different support needs   EN   GR
  • Slezská Diakonie, Support services for families with children and children with disabilities   EN   GR
  • Sotir, Social Support and Recreational Activities for Persons with Disabilities   EN   GR
  • SUPPORT, Supported decision-making while offering support services   EN   GR
• Guidelines on standard procedures on DI, including recommendations tailored to the Greek context EN  GR
• Guidelines on support procedures in community-based care settings, including recommendations tailored to the Greek contextEN   GR
• E-Monitoring Tool EN  GR

Component 3:   Training of key staff involved in the DI process

• Training course for trainers of social workers working in community-based services (also available on our e-Learning platform, Knowledge Hub) EN  GR
• Training course for trainers of managers working in community-based services (also available on our e-Learning platform, Knowledge Hub) EN  GR
• DI monitoring framework EN  GR and subsequent training EN GR
• Training needs analysis and recommendations on trainings, qualifications and staff needs EN  GR
• National DI training programme EN  GR

Potential for mainstreaming

Component 4:   Communication, outreach and cooperation with local communities

• Communication strategy  EN  GR
• Awareness-raising videos on the needs of persons transitioning into new communities
  • Video 1 - Deinstitutionalisation for Adults with Disabilities
  • Video 2 - Deinstitutionalisation for children with and without disabilities
  • Video 3 - Deinstitutionalisation for elderly persons
• Video with policy messages for decision-makers from persons with various support needs
• Awareness-raising information materials to be shared with local communities:
  • Informative leaflet
  • Cards with key messages to decision-makers
• Outreach Plan for receiving communities EN  GR

 Component 5: Assistance in the implementation of the pilot programmes

• Roadmap on how to deinstitutionalise a setting including 2 chapters: one focused on the needs of individuals and one focused on the needs of staff ENGR