INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION AND SOLIDARITY (I.S.P.S.)
Targeting to the qualitative improvement of the field of social solidarity
The Institute of Social Protection and Solidarity (I.S.P.S.) was established in 2005 with the Law 3370/2005 as a public structure for research, evaluation, documentation, training, specific applications and promotion of social dialogue in the field of social welfare. During 2008, with the Presidential Degree 55/08 I.S.P.S's Operational Scheme was issued which has clarified its structure of operation, the role of the various departments and the positions envisaged.
Since its establishement, I.S.P.S. has made an effort to organize itself and, making full use of its resources, has developed a number of activities in the frame of the policies of the Department of Health and Social Solidarity.
In terms of research, studies, evaluation and documentation, projects that were undertaken include a study on a new system of classification and assessment of disability and the issuing of a disability card, a research project on policies and practices to combat social exclusion in families with small children, a research project on the identification of educational needs of people working in the welfare field, a study for the development of an accessible website for people with disability, a study for the development of a national welfare map, a study for the evaluation of the integration of the dimension of disability in policies and practices, an evaluation study of a scheme for the support of families with small children and a study for the development of educational material with regard to corporal punishment of children. A number of these studies have been published.
In terms of training, I.S.P.S. runs a Training Center with headquarters in Athens and branches in three other regions which offer annually a number of training courses for people working in the welfare field, unemployed professionals of the same field, volunteers and members of vulnerable population groups. During 2008, it implemented 21 training schemes with 399 participants and a total budget of 311.601 euro.
A training programme of particular importance is the "Handicraft Programme" through which unemployed people in rural areas and other special groups such as women in prison, the deaf and the mentally ill are trained in traditional carpet-rug making and embroidery and then are supported by I.S.P.S. in promoting their products in the market. During 2008 around 1200 people were either trained or produced handicraft products under this programme.
In terms of specific applications in the fieLd of social welfare, it is worth mentioning I.S.P.S.'s responsibility to provide an opinion to the Department of Health and Social Solidarity on the accreditation of NGOs that develop activities in the field of social care.
It is also worth mentioning that this year our fully accessible e-government service for the disabled has started its operation. The service gives the opportunity to disabled people to have access to information, legal texts, supportive technology products, job search services etc, as well as το advertise their agency and connect with other people.
Moreover, the I.S.P.S. keeps and updates the records of the National Adoption Registry.
Finally, new projects are underway as such as the development of the national welfare map and an electronic system for the collection, production, enrichment and use of multi-media content that is directed to people with disability.
Lastly, in terms of the promotion of social dialogue, the I.S.P.S. promotes knowledge, good practice and scientific dialogue in the field of social welfare by organizing conferences, developing and participating in networks, supporting innovative schemes such as the home-start schemes, collaborating with other governmental or non-governmental bodies and publishing and disseminating books and leaflets on various themes. I.S.P.S. is a ounding member of the national Network for the Prevention and Combating of Corporal Punishment of Children. A member of its staff also participates in the International Network for Leave Policy and Research. It has, too, taken part in many transnational projects.
Contact details: Institute of Social Protection and Solidarity, 6 Ypatias str, Athens 105 56 Tel.: 210-3211761 & 2103250524-9, Fax: 210-3233650 & 210-3315350, e-mail: info@ikpa.gr
Departments
Departments
