SymfoS for Youth Care

"Initial situation and project idea""SymfoS for Youth Care"" is an innovative counseling method based on the approach ofSymbol Work. Their implementation in the youth welfare system would significantly improve the integration chances of disadvantaged young people (NEETS) in Europe. They are increasingly excluded from social participation due to lack of integration in many areas of life.With the methodical approach of Symbol Work (by Wilfried Schneider), an innovative funding instrument is developed in this project, which enables youth leaders in youth welfare to effectively support disadvantaged young people.The innovative aspect is the transfer of the previous method from vocational guidance to youth welfare and the extension of the SymfoS educational approach with web courses on initial education (Higher Education) at universities (social care).In youth welfare services, working with symbols offers young people an additional, universal language. In short, symbolic work means getting a person to reach for themselves. Symbols are helpful in situations that are difficult or impossible to describe using other means of communication.Primary target groups1) Youth welfare workers or psychologists and social workers who work with the young people listed above (e.g. social services of youth welfare offices, youth welfare services)2) Decision makers in youth welfare, VET providers and universities in the field of social welfare,Indirect target groups1) Disadvantaged young people (15-25 years) with problems of integration, which are hardly reached by existing methods of youth welfare (young people with multiple problems, NEETS).2) Educational policy makers responsible for recognition tools for qualifications.Project partnersThe partner community consists of 7 partners from 5 European countries:Sozialwerk Dürener Christen (Leadpartner) -DEHafelekar - ATUniversity of Gloucestershire - GBAsociacion Caminos - ESColegio ColpolsocA - ESAssociacao A3S - PTInstituto Politecnico Porto - PTDecisive for the selection of the partners were their project-relevant competences and experiences. Three partners already have common cooperation experiences from another EU project.People, target groups and organizations reached by the projectDirect target groups:youth leaders from youth welfare, university students in:- Transnational Trainings - 28- National Trainings - 280- National pilot projects 130Indirect target groups:Young people in practical casework at least 80 per partnerNetwork partner in youth welfare for dissemination of project content -150Project productsThe following Intellectual Outputs (IO) will be developed during the project:IO1 Scientific bases and national adaptation plans for the implementation of symbolic work)IO2 SymfoS f YC - Intervention SetIO3 SymfoS f YC - Blended Learning ApproachIO4 SymfoS f YC - Development of a correspondence training courseIO5 Symfos f YC - Development of an F2F trainingIO6 SymfoS f YC - Guide for Support and Peer Buddy SystemIO7 Transfer ManualProject activities-10 multiplier events - 6 national workshops for stakeholders; 4 closing events in different countries-2 Trainings / courses (5-day SymfoS Train-the-Trainer Courses)-5 project meetings (1 per partner country)Project impacton youth welfare workers (primary target group):Extension of professional competence in working with NEETSto decision-makers and politicians (indirect target group):Education policy and youth policy supports the implementation of the method as an offer in the vocational training of youth welfare workers (VET) and as part of study programs at universities (HE). Recognition and certification of training curriculaon disadvantaged young people (indirect target group):Improvement of personal and social integration Implementation, dissemination and sustainability measures- ""Train-the-Trainer Courses"" and correspondence training courses for youth welfare workers-National pilot projects (at universities; with specialists from youth welfare offices, youth welfare institutions.)- permanent implementation as a qualification offer for VET providers and in degree programs (universities) beyond the duration of the project- Online platform for dissemination (curriculum, materials)-recognition and certification of the method / curriculum-Transfer manual- Dissemination in practice by university graduates- Multiplier Events for stakeholders in all partner countries- Dissemination to youth welfare institutions, educational institutions, counseling centers and schools through integration into partners' networks- Formation of a SymfoS Trainer Community- Final events in all partner countries-Public relations"