Deinstitutionalization of services for children with mental health problems in Ukraine: professional capacity and needs

In Ukraine until present the medical approach has been prevailing towards providing services to people with mental health problems, and many of them spend most of their lives in nursing homes. The government makes efforts to... [ view full abstract ]

In Ukraine until present the medical approach has been prevailing towards providing services to people with mental health problems, and many of them spend most of their lives in nursing homes. The government makes efforts to initiate the deinstitutionalization process, the success of which depends in a significant way of the level of education and professional knowledge of personnel engaged into service delivery.
This presentation presents the study held in spring 2014 at the four boarding schools for children with mental health problems in Ukraine.
The aim of the study was to identify what professional training the staff working in boarding schools has, and what kind of knowledge and skills they need to continue their work in the newly created services.
The core method used for the study was focus groups conducted separately with qualified and unqualified personnel.
All the unqualified personnel providing care never studied and never had any special training, but rather learned from its own experience as well as from the experience of more qualified staff. Qualified staff (pedagogues, educators, social pedagogues and social workers) once in 5-10 years has an opportunity to be trained at the courses enhancing qualification; however, this training does not address any issues of care and education for children with mental health problems. Core knowledge and skills needed by both qualified and unqualified staff concerned the deinstitutionalization process, the content of reforming and new services, the rights for persons with disabilities according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ethical norms and principles of work with children with mental health problems. By the qualified staff only - needs of children with mental health problems (specifically, training and sexual ones), ability to cope with the children’s aggressive behavior manifestations without medicines use, interaction with parents and community members etc.