Design and Implementation of Training and Support Tools for Professionals Working with Vulnerable Individuals
Caring Compass is a European project involving five organizations from Estonia, Sweden, Latvia, France, and Italy, united by the common goal of strengthening the role of “Support Persons”: key figures who provide direct assistance to individuals in vulnerable situations, such as refugees, adults in difficulty, and children with disabilities. Through a shared and multidisciplinary approach, the project aims to develop training and operational tools to improve the quality and impact of their work.
The project spans 26 months and is structured into several phases, each corresponding to a project output. The first phase includes the implementation of a transnational study on the needs and expectations of support persons, coordinated by Social Innovation Teams. The study will be conducted in the partner countries through interviews and a validation phase with a broad sample of professionals and service providers.
The study’s findings will guide the development of a training curriculum and specific educational materials for support persons. These contents will be designed using a participatory approach, involving professionals directly in identifying key competencies and the most effective methods for their professional development.
Next, a two-part manual will be drafted: one part aimed at support persons and the other at service providers. The manual will compile practical tools, methodological guidelines, and best practices. In addition, an operational toolkit will be distributed to assist with day-to-day fieldwork.
The ultimate goal is to generate a lasting impact on the European social services system, promoting the inclusion of vulnerable groups and enhancing the value of support persons as key contributors to collective well-being.
Partners: Johannes Mihkelson Center (Estonia), Social Innovation Teams (Italy), Be – Creative Association (Sweden), Latvian Adult Education Association (Latvia), Association pour le développement des initiatives citoyennes et européennes (France)
Project Type: Training and capacity building in the social sector
Main Beneficiaries: Support persons, social workers, and service providers for vulnerable groups
Areas: Social inclusion, Adult education, Welfare innovation
Countries: Estonia, Italy, Sweden, Latvia, France
Program: Erasmus+
