Description
The socio-educational community is a service provided in facilities designed to offer temporary day and night care.
It is a residential service aimed at children from vulnerable families who are unable to meet the child’s developmental needs.
The service provides protection, support, guidance and education with the aim of fostering the child’s psychological, relational and social development, with a view to their return to their family and/or moving on to other life plans. The service maintains regular collaboration and dialogue with the child’s key figures, encouraging socialising experiences even outside the community setting. Throughout the programme, guidance is provided to help the child choose an educational path and find employment. The child’s admission to residential care is accompanied by a programme of support and restoration of parental functions, organised by local social services.
Who is it for
Children aged between 6 and 17 from families with limited parenting capacity and/or multiple problems, who are disadvantaged and/or facing discrimination. Children under the age of 6 may be admitted where this is necessary to keep the family unit together. Placement may continue beyond the child’s 17th birthday, but not beyond their 21st birthday, should there be a need to complete their education or consolidate their path towards independence.
Accessing the Service
Access is granted upon referral by the local social services, the Valley Communities, following an assessment process that involves drawing up a framework plan, and/or by a public authority (Article 403 of the Civil Code) and/or by order of the judiciary.
The assessment for admission involves the participation of the family and, where possible, the young person and the network of formal and informal stakeholders involved.