What is a social inclusion project?Social inclusion projects have developed as the result of an initiative in 2005 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. They form a new aspect of Together’s services.
Aimed at people claiming sickness and disability benefits for mental health conditions, these projects support clients to live and work independently. They are designed to challenge attitudes in the community, enable people to fulfil their aspirations, and improve opportunities for excluded groups.
The six categories across which the government intends the projects to take action are:
- stigma and discrimination
- the role of health and social care in tackling social exclusion
- employment
- supporting families and community participation
- getting the basics right
- making it happen.
Early intervention for people with mental health needs and a focus on employment are considered crucial.
|Top| Who is the service for?The services are aimed at adults aged 18–65 who have a role within the family and wider community.
|Top| What does the service offer?Social inclusion services support people to focus on their strengths, and to develop both independence and interdependence.
Effective social inclusion in mental health takes place on three levels:
- strengthening individuals – emotional and physical health, skills and pleasure, relationships and participation
- strengthening communities – neighbourhood environments, educational, employment and recreational opportunities, anti-bullying strategies at school, workplace health, community safety, childcare and self-help networks
- reducing structural barriers – through initiatives to challenge stigma, discrimination and inequalities; and promote access to education, training, employment, housing and support for those who are vulnerable.
Staff encourage people to get involved in voluntary or paid work, and provide access to training, adult education and leisure services. They can also point people towards suitable support networks to ensure job retention. Assistance is tailored to clients’ individual needs.
The hoped-for outcome is that people will develop an increased feeling of contribution to the community.
|Top| Who are the staff?Staff are trained social care workers.
|Top| What sort of care plan is on offer?Workers follow a three-step programme:
1 Create and sustain a framework for support and positive engagement in paid or voluntary work and leisure pursuits.
2 Increase and enhance levels of occupational activity and work towards personal goals.
3 Work with service-users and local employers to facilitate opportunities for voluntary, sheltered/supported work and paid employment, and assist clients to gain and retain appropriate work.
Staff will enter into partnerships with statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as making arrangements with local employers in order to accomplish these goals.
|Top| How long can I use the service?Social inclusion projects are not intended as a long-term solution but instead are meant to kick-start people’s ability to initiate change.
|Top| Can I get involved in the running of the service?Both people who use the service and their carers can become involved in local service planning.
At Together, we believe that service-users and carers should occupy positions of power at all levels of the organisation, and help to shape its future. Click here for more information on the work of Together’s Service User Involvement Directorate.
|Top| Where will I find a social inclusion service?Together's social inclusion services are listed in alphabetical order. |
