Overview of institutional services for persons with disabilities (2014) Table 1: Typology of institutions TYPE OF SERVICE SIZE AGE GROUP TYPE OF LEVEL OF TYPICAL PROVIDER TYPICAL FUNDER LENGTH OF AGE OF SERVICE Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (social assistance) Social care institution – residential type (social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Older people Older people 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years Social care institution – residential type (social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Adults Impairment group not specified (people with chronic somatic diseases) 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years ) organisation organisation
Social care institution – residential type (social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Adults Mental health problem 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years Social care institution – residential type (social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Adults Intellectual disability 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years Social care institution – residential type (social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Children Intellectual disability 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years Social care institution – residential type 30-100 places (max. 100 places) Adults Physical disability 24-hour support provided Mixed (Local authority, public Mixed local authority Mixed lengths of admission Over 50 years organisation
(social care house, dom pomocy społecznej) interest religious and private Small group home – residential type (family-based assistance house, rodzinny dom pomocy) 1-5 people and 6-10 people (3-8 persons) Older people Older people 24-hour support provided Private and (natural persons, public interest Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission 10-50 years (Since 2001) Small group home – residential type (family-based assistance house, rodzinny dom pomocy) 1-5 people and 6-10 people (3-8 persons) Adult Mixed 24-hour support provided Private and (natural persons, public interest Mixed local authority and private Mixed lengths of admission Less than 5 years (Since 2011) Social care institution – typically not residential, Various sizes Adults, older people Intellectual disability or older people Daytime support; Mixed (Local authority, public Mixed local authority Mixed periods of service provision 10-50 years (Since 1996)
within a given year.) Sheltered housing - residential type (mieszkanie chronione) Various sizes (min. 3 persons) Adults, older people Mixed, mental health problem or older persons Variable support provided on the types of services offered and the goals set for a person) Mixed (all institutions belonging to the system of social assistance; and since 2006 also public interest Mixed local authority and private Mixed periods of service provision; [In general, temporary stay, but possible permanent stay (offered in “justified cases” to persons unable to work due to age, persons with disabilities, persons with mental disorders or chronically ill) ] 10-50 years (Since 1996)
Residential care business entities (Działalność gospodarcza w zakresie prowadzenia placówki zapewniającej całodobową opiekę osobom przewlekle chorym lub osobom w podeszłym wieku) Various sizes Adults, older people or children Mixed or older people 24-hour support Private Private Mixed lengths of admission 10-50 years (Since 2004) Ministry of Health Nursing home – residential type (chronic medical care homes, zakład Various sizes Adults, older people, children Mixed (Persons who do not require hospital treatment anymore, but due to their state of health, disability or other 24-hour support Mixed (local authorities, public interest religious private) Mixed national private and local Mixed lengths of admission (from a months to years or a permanent stay) 10-50 years
reasons require various intensive medical services.) Nursing home – residential type (zakład Various sizes Adults, children Mixed (Persons who do not require hospital treatment anymore, but due to their state of health, disability or other reasons require various intensive medical services.) 24-hour support Mixed (local authorities, public interest religious private) Mixed national private and local Mixed lengths of admission (from a months to years or a permanent stay) 10-50 years Ministry of National Education Isolation institution with boarding school (youth education Various sizes Children Intellectual disability (juvenile delinquents with slight degree of 24-hour services the whole school year Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed national and local Mixed length of admission (dependent on a court order) 10-50 years opiekuńczy)
centre of the socialisation and rehabilitation type, młodzieżowy ośrodek wychowawczy typu Includes a boarding school intellectual disability) Boarding school (youth social therapy centre, młodzieżowy ośrodek socjoterapii) Includes a boarding school Various sizes Children Impairment group not specified (Children who, because of deficits, difficulties in learning and problems with their social relations, are in danger of social 24-hour services the whole school year Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed national and local Mixed lengths of admission 10-50 years
because of their disability cannot attend schools at their place of residence.) the or school which is a part of the centre, but not longer than until they reach 23 years of age.) Boarding school (special education centres, specjalny ośrodek Various sizes Children Mixed (In particular: children and youth with sight and hearing physical disability, including aphasia; autism, including Asperger’s syndrome; multiple disabilities; slight, moderate and severe The centres function the whole school year, but with summer and winter breaks. Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed national and local private Mixed length of admission (They can stay in the centre until they finish school, but not longer than until they reach 23 years of age.) 10-50 years
intellectual disabilities.) Social care institution – not of residential type (revalidation and care centres, ośrodki Various sizes Children and young adults (between 3 and 25 years of age) Mixed (Children with a severe degree of intellectual disability; children with multiple disabilities including intellectual disability) Daily care (not less than 8 hours a day) the whole school year, except on Saturdays and bank holidays, and with summer and winter breaks. Mixed (Local authority, public interest religious Mixed national and local private Mixed length of admission 10-50 years Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (alternative care) Social care institution – residential type (regional therapy and care facilities, regionalne placówki 30-100 places (max. 30, possible to 45 children) Children Impairment group not specified (Children in alternative care whose state of health demands specialised care and 24-hour support Regional authority Mixed regional and private Mixed lengths of admission Less than 5 years (Since 2011)
Social care institution – residential type (alternative care facility of specialised therapeutic type, placówka typy 11-30 places (max. 14 persons) Children above 10 (possible Mixed (Children in alternative care who are persons with disabilities.) 24-hour support Mixed (Local authorities; public service religious Mixed local authority and private Mixed length of admission; (Generally until 18 years of age, or (under certain conditions) max. until they reach the age of 25.) Less than 5 years (Since 2011)
Table 2: Data sources TITLE/ REFERENCE DATA OF PERIOD COVERED BY THE DATA FOR DATA COLLECTION SCOPE OF DATA SERVICE SCOPE OF DATA COLLECTION Please include: title of the survey, data set, study, report, administrative document etc, including full reference with URL if available Name of institution that collected the data. Type of e.g. ministry, local authority, national statistical office Year data was Time period covered by the data/ report Desk research, visits to institutions, design, sampling, data Local area, region, federal state, Services for people with mental health problems, services for people with intellectual disabilities, services for older people, services for children, large residential homes etc
academia, NGO Government’s Information on the actions undertaken in 2012 in order to implement the provisions of the Charter of Persons with Disabilities [Informacja Rządu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej o działaniach podejmowanych w 2012 roku na rzecz realizacji postanowień uchwały Sejmu Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 1 sierpnia 1997 r.], available at: The Council of Ministers [Rada Ministrów] since Last data was in Each year Analyses based on the information prepared and processed by each Ministry (including: the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health) The report includes information on the services provided in the area of rehabilitation of persons (including children) with physical disabilities, services provided by social care houses and other social care facilities. Social assistance, child and family services in 2012 Central Statistical Office 2012 2012 Statistical analyses carried out by The research covers statistical data concerning the 2002
[Pomoc społeczna i opieka nad dzieckiem i rodziną w 2012], available at: [Główny Urząd the Central Statistical Office, data prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Justice. number of persons using all the types of services provided to persons with disabilities, including persons with physical disabilities, persons with mental health problems, children and elderly persons. Social assistance in Poland in [Pomoc społeczna w Polsce w latach 2005-2009], available at: Central Statistical Office [Główny Urząd 2011 Statistical analyses based on data collected by the Central Statistical Office, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Finance, the Social Insurance Institution, the Agricultural Social Insurance The research covers statistical data concerning the number of persons using all the types of services provided to persons with disabilities, including persons with physical disabilities, persons with mental health problems, children and elderly persons. 2009
Fund, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice Persons with disabilities and their households [Osoby niepełnosprawne oraz ich gospodarstwa domowe 2002], available at: Central Statistical Office [Główny Urząd 2002 The report includes data collected in two national census in 1988, 2002 and data from the survey on the state of the health of the population in Poland Statistical analyses based on the data collected by the Central Statistical Office The report contains statistical information on the number of persons staying in social care houses, health and care institutions, mental health hospitals and other types of facilities providing the services for among others persons with disabilities.
conducted in 1996) Health and health protection in 2012 [Zdrowie i stan ochrony zdrowia w 2012 r.], available at: Central Statistical Office [Główny Urząd 2014 In reference to different statistical the report covers different periods. However, in reference to the data the conditions of health care for persons with the presented Statistical analyses based on data collected by the Central Statistical Office The research includes information on the number of places in health care facilities dedicated to persons with disabilities (in total physical or mental disabilities), information on the technical adjustment of health care facilities for persons with disabilities, information on the number of rehabilitation holidays (turnus rehabilitacyjny) for persons with disabilities per each year, categories
data refers only to the year 2012. Concise statistical yearbook of Poland 2014 [Mały rocznik statystyczny Polski 2014] Available at: Central Statistical Office [Główny Urząd Varied, in general data presented as of 2013. Statistical analyses carried out by the Central Statistical Office The yearbook contains data on various social assistance institutions (e.g. social care houses), health care establishments (e.g. chronic medical care homes), education institutions (e.g. youth education centres etc.) which cater also, or exclusively, for persons with disabilities, persons with mental health problems or older people. In particular, this data source presents data on the number of institutions (sometimes also with division into a typical funder/provider) and overall number of beds/places.
Bank of local data [Bank danych lokalnych], available at: Central Statistical Office [Główny Urząd Each year. Last data was collected in 2013. The data presents the status on the day as of the end of 2013. Statistical analyses based on the data collected by the Central Statistical Office (covers each specific region of the The bank of data contains statistical information on number of persons staying in the social care houses, health and care institutions, mental health hospitals and other types of facilities providing the services for among others persons with disabilities and using the services provided by these facilities. Register of social assistance institutions [Rejestr jednostek pomocy społecznej], Available at: Human Resources Centre, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy [Centrum Rozwoju Zasobów Since 2013 data collection Social assistance institutions register their units in the Register. The Register collects data concerning all types of social assistance institutions, including those profiled for persons with disabilities, mental disorders or elderly people. It allows a user to access detailed information country
Ludzkich, Pracy i Polityki Społecznej] about any social assistance institution (number of places, particular services, etc.). However, some institutions have not yet registered and others provided limited information on their activities. Health of the Polish population [Stan zdrowia ludności Polski 2009], available at: National Health Institute Zakład Higieny] 2010 Statistical data collected by the National Health Institute The research covers statistical data concerning the number of persons using the services offered by mental health facilities. Information on the results of monitoring of chronic medical care homes [Informacja o wynikach kontroli zakładów opiekuńczo-leczniczych], available at: Supreme Audit Office [Najwyższa Izba Kontroli] 2010 Data collected during the process of audit by the Supreme Audit Office The report contains conclusions from monitoring conducted in chronic medical care homes. It contains, among others, information on the services offered to residents, length of admission,
admission procedures, etc. Organisation and financing of occupational therapy workshops in cooperation with the State Fund for Persons with Disabilities Rehabilitation [Organizacja i finansowanie warsztatów terapii zajęciowej przy udziale środków Państwowego Funduszu Rehabilitacji Osób Niepełnosprawnych w województwie małopolskim], available at: Supreme Audit Office [Najwyższa Izba Kontroli] 2011 The report is based on the audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Office in the period of 4 August to 29 November 2010. Data collected during the process of audit by the Supreme Audit Office Local – cities in the The report contains information concerning the of workshops (which are an element of social and professional rehabilitation). The report presents the scope of these workshops and analyses whether the funds for those workshops are properly spent. The performance of tasks by social care houses in relation to binding standards [Realizacja zadań przez domy pomocy społecznej w odniesieniu do obowiązujących standardów] available at: Supreme Audit Office [Najwyższa Izba Kontroli] 2011 The report is based on the audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Office in 2010 and Data collected during the process of audit by the Supreme Audit Office Local (the audit covered three social care houses in three The audit covered the activity of social care houses, including services which are provided for persons with disabilities.
(including persons with disabilities). Actions for Persons with Disabilities Implemented in the Lubelskie Voivodeship [Działania na rzecz osób niepełnosprawnych realizowane w województwie lubelskim], available at: Regional Centre of Social Policy in Lubelskie [Regionalny Ośrodek Polityki Społecznej w Lublinie] 2012 Desk research The report includes information on health care services provided to persons with disabilities, educational services for persons with disabilities, services designed for the purpose of preventing social exclusion of persons with disabilities. The social-living situation of persons with disabilities living in the Lubelskie Voivodeship [Sytuacja społeczno-bytowa osób niepełnosprawnych zamieszkałych w województwie lubelskim], available at: Regional Centre of Social Policy Lubelskie in Lubelskie [Regionalny Ośrodek 2012 2012 Quantitative research with the use of CATI tool Regarding the services provided to persons with disabilities, the research mainly concentrates on health care services.
Polityki Społecznej w Lublinie] The needs of the support system for persons with disabilities in the opinions of social workers, Poviat Family Support Centres and NGOs [Potrzeby w obszarze systemu wsparcia na rzecz osób niepełnosprawnych w opinii pracowników ośrodków pomocy społecznej, powiatowych centrów pomocy rodzinie oraz organizacji pozarządowych działających na rzecz osób niepełnosprawnych na terenie województwa lubelskiego], available at: Regional Centre of Social Policy Lubelskie [Regionalny Ośrodek Polityki Społecznej w Lublinie] 2013 2013 Desk research, individual interviews with the representatives of the Poviat Family Support Centres, CATI (phone interviews with social workers and representatives of the organisations) The research contains, among others, the employers’ opinions concerning the most and the least effective services provided to persons with disabilities (e.g. rehabilitation holidays, support, rehabilitation workshops). Towards social reintegration – the system of work with persons with disabilities in the Łódzkie Voivodeship designed for the purpose of social activation of those persons [W kierunku reintegracji społecznej - system pracy z osobami niepełnosprawnymi na terenie Regional Centre of Social Policy in Lódz [Regionalny Ośrodek Polityki 2012 2012 Desk research, CAWI (survey was addressed to among others social care facilities, Poviat Centres of Family The research maps the activation services offered by social assistance facilities in the area of the Łódzkie Voivodeship.
województwa łódzkiego, mający na celu ich aktywizację społeczną] available at: Społecznej w Łodzi] Support, cultural and educational facilities), individual interviews with persons with disabilities and their carers, focus group interviews. Social exclusion in Małopolskie Voivodeship – prevention strategies. Persons with disabilities [Wykluczenie społeczne w Małopolsce - strategie przeciwdziałania. Osoby niepełnosprawne] available at: Regional Centre of Social Policy in Kraków [Regionalny Ośrodek Polityki Społecznej w Krakowie] 2013 2013 Desk research and qualitative research The report includes an assessment of services provided to persons with disabilities. Among the services, there are: psychological support and early intervention, family support, physical rehabilitation, care services and residential houses. Care for reliant persons from the perspective of social care houses in the Podlaskie Voivodeship Social Integration Desk research, quantity research The report includes information on services provided for
Ruchowo] Social care houses in Poland [Domy pomocy społecznej w Polsce] available at: for Active Integration na rzecz Aktywnej Integracji] 2013 2013 Desk research The report analyses, among others, the standards of all kind of services (health services, rehabilitation services, workshops services etc.) provided by social care houses to persons with disabilities (mental or/and physical). Overview of community-based services for persons with disabilities (2015) Table 3: community-based services for persons with disabilities Type of Yes/ No Profile of the users Explanatory information Extent to which support is If data are available, please specify number of
Financial support: Temporary allowance (zasiłek okresowy) Yes Provided to, among others, disabled persons in extraordinary circumstances (regardless of the type of disability) Financial support provided and funded by the local government (partly own resources, but mostly subsidy from state budget) to people below the income threshold Apart from submitting a motion for a temporary allowance, the beneficiaries have no influence over any of the elements enumerated above. Total amount of allowances granted on the grounds of disability: 2013 – 51.390.383 PLN (approx. 12.847.595 EUR) 2012 – 37.327.087 PLN (approx. 9.331.771 EUR) 2011 – 34.479.124 PLN (approx. 8.619.781 EUR) 2010 – 37.449.400 PLN (approx. 9.362.350 EUR) Number of beneficiaries: 2013 – 52 381 2012 – 47 213 2011 – 45 938 2010 – 49 590 Financial support: Yes For children with disabilities; persons Financial support provided by social It is granted upon a motion in order to There has been an increase in the
Nursing allowance (Zasiłek pielęgnacyjny) above 16 years of age with a confirmed, severe degree of disability; persons above 75 years of age; persons above 16 years of age with a confirmed moderate degree of disability if a person became disabled before they turned 21. assistance institutions throughout the country and funded from state budget. Currently, it amounts to 153 PLN per month per person (approx. 38 EUR). cover the expenses resulting from the necessity to provide care and support to another person incapable of independent existence. Apart from submitting a motion, the beneficiaries have no influence over any of the elements enumerated above. number of allowances paid to social assistance clients: 2014 – 926 900 allowances monthly 2013 – 927 400 allowances monthly 2012 – 917 600 allowances monthly 2011 – 898 100 allowances monthly 2010 – 873 000 allowances monthly Financial support: Special care allowance (Specjalny zasiłek Yes For persons who have an alimony duty, plus spouses, if: They do not undertake employment or any other work; They resigned from employment or any other work In order to permanently take Financial support provided by social assistance institutions throughout the country and funded from state budget. Currently, it amounts to 520 PLN per person per month (approx. 130 EUR). It is granted upon a motion. In order to be granted this allowance, the person has to meet financial conditions (e.g. income threshold which, at the moment, equals 664 PLN i.e. approx. 166 EUR). Apart from submitting a motion, the beneficiaries have no It is a new form of support, introduced in 2013. 2014 – 12 800 allowances monthly 2013 – 5 900 allowances monthly
care of a person with a confirmed, severe degree of disability or a person with a confirmed disability and an indication that they require permanent or care or assistance of another person. influence over any of the elements enumerated above. Financial support: Nursing benefit (Świadczenie pielęgnacyjne) Yes Among others, for mothers and fathers, actual guardians, as well as persons who constitute relative foster families, if they resigned from employment or any other work to permanently take care of a person with a confirmed, severe degree of disability or a person with a confirmed disability and an indication that they require permanent or care or assistance of another person. Financial support provided by social assistance institutions throughout the country and funded from state budget. Currently, it amounts to 1200 PLN per person per month (approx. 300 EUR). It is granted upon a motion. Apart from submitting a motion, the beneficiaries have no influence over any of the elements enumerated above. The number of paid benefits has varied substantially between different years: 2014 – 105 900 benefits monthly 2013 – 163 900 benefits monthly 2012 – 223 500 benefits monthly 2011 – 168 400 benefits monthly 2010 – 108 400 benefits monthly
It can be granted if a person who requires support became disabled before they turned 18 or if it happened during education not later than before the person turned 25. Personal assistance: Assistant of a person with disabilities (Asystent osoby niepełnosprawnej) Yes It is a run in The was put forward by the City Hall and NGOs. For adults who have an official document confirming their disability. The programme offers daytime support (between 8.00-22.00) of a qualified assistant. The support can be either permanent or ad hoc, dependent on the client’s preferences. Assistants accompany persons with disabilities in commuting around Warsaw; help in benefitting from various forms of entertainment; facilitate meetings with relatives and friends; assist in contacts with official bodies/institutions (social care centres etc). The scope of assistance depends on the client’s needs. Lack of data
assistance house up to the amount of monthly expenses specified in the contract between the local authorities (commune) and the service provider. In particular circumstances (not specified in law), beneficiaries can – for a specified period – be partly or fully exempted from paying for the services. The costs are then covered by local authorities (commune). to a potential mistake in data on the number of entities) 2010 – 115 Residential: Sheltered housing (Mieszkania chronione) Yes For persons who due to their difficult situation, age, disability or illness need support in functioning in everyday life, but do not require services of an institution providing 24 hour support, in particular for persons with mental disorders and other of persons Variable support is provided in sheltered housing, dependent on the types of services offered and the goals set for a particular person. Services include: social work and specialised counselling, training in self-support, performance of social roles and maintaining social contacts, assistance in moving, Services are tailored to individual needs. A decision to grant sheltered housing is issued after consultations between a social worker and the beneficiary who applied for sheltered housing or their representative. All resolutions shall be in writining and they should include: the The number of sheltered houses: 2013 – 637 (including 94 for persons with metal disorders) 2012 – 654 (including 123 for persons with metal disorders) 2011 – 480 (including 75 for
performing daily life activities and spending free time, etc. The service can be provided by entities of social assistance (e.g. social care centres in communes, poviat family support centres in poviats) or public benefit organisations. Payment conditions are agreed upon between a social worker representing the social assistance institution providing the service and the beneficiary who applied for sheltered housing or their representative. goal of stay, the period, types and scope of support, payment conditions, manner for justifying absences, the rules and manner of implementation of the individual plan of support, etc. Furthermore, any changes in services are also consulted with the service beneficiary or their legal representative. persons with metal disorders) 2010 – 496 (including 84 for persons with metal disorders) The number of users: 2013 – 2 442 (including 451 persons with mental disorders) 2012 – 2 382 (including 416 persons with mental disorders) 2011 – 2 332 (including 391 persons with mental disorders) 2010 – 1 948
(including 417 persons with mental disorders) In-home (home help, home care service): Care services (Usługi opiekuńcze) or Specialized care services (Specjalistyczne usługi opiekuńcze) Yes For single persons who due to their age, illness or other reason require assistance For persons who require assistance of other people, but cannot receive it from their family Daytime support offered in the place of residence. Care services include assistance in meeting everyday needs, hygienic care, care that is prescribed by a doctor and, if possible, assistance that ensures contact with the environment. Specialist care services are a type of services that are adjusted to the specific needs resulting from the type of disease or disability, provided by persons with special professional skills. Social care center, granting care services, establishes their scope, duration and place of performance. The social care centre when granting care services sets their scope, period and place. Number of people who were granted care services: 2013 – 86 967 2012 – 85 545 2011 – 87 212 2010 – 89 298 Number of people who were granted specialized care services: 2013 – 4 191 2012 – 4 045 2011 – 4 972 2010 – 4 754 Number of people with mental disorders who were
Payment conditions for those services are set by commune councils in resolutions, including partial and full exemptions from payment. The services are funded from the budgets of local authorities, with an exeception of specialized care services for persons with mental disorders, which are funded from state budget. The payment conditions, including exemptions, for latter services are set forth in a regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy. granted specialized care services in their place of residence: 2010 – 10 138 2011 – 10 577 2012 – 11 150 2013 – 11 612 Day care centres: Care services or specialized care services in a support centre (Ośrodki wsparcia) Yes For persons who due to their age, illness or disability require partial assistance and support in fulfilling their basic needs. There are different kinds of support Support centres offer daytime care. However, they can also have a certain number places for 24 hour support. Care services include assistance in meeting everyday needs, hygienic care, care that The social care centre when granting care services sets their scope, period and place. The number of support centres: 2013 – 1 481 2012 – 1 430 2011 – 1 380 2010 – 1 299
centres: support centres for persons with mental disorders; day care centres (dzienne ośrodki wsparcia); centres for mothers with children and pregnant women; shelthers and houses for homeless people; self-help clubs. Support centres for persons with mental disorders can be divided into: community-based self-help centres (środowiskowe domy samopomocy) or self-help clubs (kluby samopomocy). They cater for people who due to the impairment of some bodily functions or adaptational capacities require help in daily life in a family and social environment, is prescribed by a doctor and, if possible, assistance that ensures contact with the environment. Specialist care services are a type of services that are adjusted to the specific needs resulting from the type of disease or disability, provided by persons with special professional skills. Social care center, granting care services, establishes their scope, duration and place of performance. The number of users: 2013 – 111 472 2012 – 106 946 2011 – 106 127 2010 – 116 970
especially in order to increase their daily independence and social integraton. Family support: Daytime support facility of a specialized type (Placówka wsparcia dziennego typu specjalistycznego) Yes For all children in families in difficulties which require support. They provide daytime support. These facilities, in particular, (1) provide socio-therapeutic and therapeutic activities, correctional, compensational or logopedic activities; (2) implement an individual correction plan and other programmes, in particular psychological, pedagogical and social therapy. Children participate in classes/activities organised by the centre. The system in its current shape was set up in 2011. The number of facilities: 2013 – 321 2012 – 345 Foster care: Specialised foster family (Rodzina zastępcza zawodowa specjalistyczna) Yes Specialised foster families are a foster care institution for, among others, children with an official document confirming a disability or a severe or moderate degree of disability. They provide care in the place of parents, i.e. if the child has no parents or the parents cannot perform their roles. Given the nature of this institution, children do not have influence over the elements enumerated above. However, it is the court which decides on placement in foster care and the The number of specialised foster families: 2013 – 256 2012 – 264 2011 – 252
Crisis intervention centre (Centrum interwencji kryzysowej) These are interdisciplinary activities undertaken with a goal of restoring mental balance and self-management skills, and thus prevent chronic psychosocial and social distress. Crisis intervention covers psychological help, if needed – social and legal assistance, in justified cases – shelter up to 3 months. 2012 – 33 510 2011 – 31 990 2010 – 37 009 Befriending (service provided by trained volunteers to help overcome isolation and enable full involvement in the community and social life) No, the law does not foresee such a service. However, the institution of an assistant of a person with disabilities is the closest to this type of service (see above).