Module 11 The support process : HOW far to support ? Training Kit : Personalised Social Support 2012 Shirin Kiani and Annie Lafrenière (Technical Resources Division) Handicap International 2012

Overview Review of empowerment (module 6) –What is empowerment –Measuring empowerment PSS and empowerment : How far to support ?

Empowerment (review module 6)

emPOWERment is… Knowing what you want and being able to get it Having more control over your life and can making choices Thinking for yourself and taking action on the things you want.

How do you know if someone is empowered or not ?

Measuring empowerment… Within yourself –Self esteem, self-confidence, understand strengths and limitations –Solve problems, know where to get help –Etc… Towards other people –Self-expression, non-abusive relationships, negotiation and communication, acceptance of others –Etc… Towards your life –Power in one’s own life: benefit from environment, contribute to environment, be recognized

Empowering someone with a disability Challenges Common that decisions were made for them by family, throughout their life. May have experienced isolation, lack of power, lack of idea on opportunities. Social, physical and economical environment may present various challenges to their full inclusion (accessibility, social acceptance of disability, etc.) Opportunities EVERYONE has abilities and can find ways to contribute to their own life.

PSS and empowerment The GOAL of PSS = empowerment People become empowered as a result of PSS, AND also during the process : importance of the POSTURE of social facilitators: –Not doing for the person but providing means to do him/herself –Quality relationship – understanding and mutual respect –In front, side by side, and behind, when needed

PSS and empowerment (cnt’d) The PSS process should be tailored to personal needs (not becoming a goal in itself). –Not everybody needs to go through all the stages of the process. –The level of support needed varies from 1 person to another.

PSS outline and empowerment : HOW FAR TO SUPPORT ?

Level of support requested From INFORMATION to REFERRALS & FOLLOW-UPS From ACTIVE LISTENING, to GUIDANCE and to the DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALISED PROJECT

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : Person has several needs but unclear about his/her situation. OR Person has a specific need, question : NEEDS INFORMATION. Information provided, person unable to continue by his/herself Make contact, understand the demand of the person Scenario 1 : Person has a specific need, question : NEEDS INFORMATION. Information provided, person able to continue by his/herself END OF PROCESS CONTINUE PROCESS

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : Diagnosis precises needs for information and guidance. Person is informed, but needs support for the next steps (where to start, who to see, etc.) To understand the global situation of a person by : getting a first overview of the person’s situation identifying disabling situation completing diagnosis based on needs and priorities Scenario 1 : Diagnosis precises needs for information and guidance. Person is informed and guided, and able to continue by his/herself. Person is informed and guided. Unable to continue by his/herself, but not interested by longer support process. Definition and negotiation of a personalised project → END OF PROCESS → CONTINUE SUPPORT PROCESS

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : Person identified a project and requests support to understand how to implement it. Review person’s needs and priorities Choose 1 project to work on and determine objectives Scenario 1 : The person receives support to prioritize where to start, and is able to continue by him/herself OR The person understands the support process but is not interested or ready to be involved OR The person is not capable of projecting him/herself in the future (e.g. unstable environment, conflict situation, illness, etc.) Definition and negotiation of a personalised project Defining an action plan → END OF PROCESS → CONTINUE SUPPORT PROCESS

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : Plan is determined, along with ‘who does what when’. The person and their environment are ready to go forward and implement it. Plan : - ACTIVITIES - RESOURCES - WHO’S INVOLVED - TIMEFRAME Scenario 1 : A plan is determined, the person has sufficient resources to implement it by him/herself, with the support of their environment. OR The plan of action shows that the project is not realistic (needs to go back to project definition) OR The person and/or environment is not motivated to go forward with implementing the action plan. Definition and negotiation of a personalised project Defining an action plan → END OF PROCESS OR → go back to project definition → CONTINUE SUPPORT PROCESS Contract

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : The contract is agreed by all the stakeholders. Agreement (oral or written) between the people involved, about the project and action plan. Scenario 1 : In light of the plan of action the person and/or their environment refuse to participate in the process OR prefer to postpone it to another time. Definition and negotiation of a personalised project Defining an action plan → END OF PROCESS → CONTINUE SUPPORT PROCESS Contract Project implementing and monitoring Intermediary results analyses

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : The analyses show change, skills development, improvements. AND / OR The person encounters challenges, difficulties, which may require readjustment of the project plan. Support the person for the realisation of their project. Measure change. Ensure relevance of the project Ensure relevance of the support Scenario 1 : The intermediary results analyses shows that the project is not relevant. Definition and negotiation of a personalised project Defining an action plan → GO BACK TO PROJECT DEFINITION → CONTINUE SUPPORT PROCESS (with or without readjustments) Contract Project implementing and monitoring Intermediary results analyses Finalizing the social support

PSS general outline Initial contact and/or consideration of the demand Diagnosing the situation Scenario 2 : The project is finished, but the person still has difficulties to determine future projects that s/he could realise, and how s/he would do so. Measure successes and difficulties. Evaluate impact of the project. Negotiate, define next steps. Scenario 1 : The project is finished (succeeded or failed, but the person learned and developed skills). The person knows what s/he will do next and has an idea of how s/he will do it. Definition and negotiation of a personalised project Defining an action plan → EXIT FROM THE SUPPORT PROCESS. GUIDANCE AND/OR FOLLOW-UP IF NEEDED. → EVALUATE NEED OR NOT TO MAKE A 2 ND PSS PROCESS Contract Project implementing and monitoring Intermediary results analyses Finalizing the social support

In summary The PSS approach may go up to: - the initial contact - the diagnosis of the situation - the definition of a personalised project - the action plan - the contract - the implementation, intermediary analysis and finalization of the support process

Link to practice * Give participants 10 minutes to answer this question individually on a piece of paper, and then do a roundtable with each person sharing some of their answers. In your current practice, how many persons would need to go through all the stages of PSS ? Given what you have learned today, would you say you have supported people too much, or not enough ? What are the consequences of that ?