Finlay, Leona
ICF Consulting Services Ltd Your ref. 12.03.2024
[email protected]
Our ref. 19.03.2024 No 1.4-2/671-2
Vastus pöördumisele
Dear Ms Leona Finlay
My sincere apologies for the delay in replying!
I reviewed the draft description of the text (attached to the letter) and answered your
questions.
Yours sincerely,
Elen Preimann
Department of Social Welfare
Counselor
[email protected]
Suur-Ameerika 1 / 10122 Tallinn / ESTONIA / +372 626 9301 /
[email protected] / www.sm.ee / Reg. no
70001952
Summary
Personalising mental health care services through a new locally organised person-
centered special care service, Estonia
The proposed new model is person-centered, providing assistance to a person with special mental
health needs as one complete integrated service organised by the local government, where all
necessary activities to support a person are guaranteed. This is in contrast to the current model
which is services-centered and organised at state level. The new model allows for the maximum
use of the community’s available resources to ensure easy and quick access to a
comprehensive but flexible combination of services based on personal needs. It also aims to
provide these supports to the person in need, and their caretakers or relatives, as close to
home as possible, based on the principles of deinstitutionalisation. In the new model, each
municipality identifies the service needs of its region and develops services and/or creates a
favourable environment for service providers to ensure the availability of services.
The approach to deliver this new innovative person-centered service is based on consistent
personal case management. It includes the creation of an action plan and the monitoring of its
implementation. A case manager (an employee of the local government) is appointed to work
with the person with disabilities to define their needs, prepare a comprehensive assistance
package, and establish a personal budget. The new model has 26 service components (e.g
peer support; supporting the creation/maintenance of social relationships (with loved ones,
friends, children or parents); supporting movement outside place of residence; supporting
recovery and coping with illness) covering seven areas of life (these are: social relations,
mental health, physical health, employment, free time and hobbies, living environment,
activities of daily living)
and is formed from the activities that are now part of the special care and social rehabilitation
services necessary to support a specific person and in addition, service components that are
not covered by the current service system. .
The model is currently being piloted, and has been funded by the ESF since 2017 (funding for
the pilot will end at the end of 2025). The number of persons with disabilities supported by
the project is so far 1503. The intention then is to implement the model into national law and
the state budget.
Annex Table
Personalising mental health care services through a new locally organised person-
centered special care service, Estonia
Title of the practice (in Isikukeskse erihoolekande teenusmudel kohalikus omavalitsuses
original language) (Service model of person-centred special care in local government)
In which country/region Estonia
is/was the practice
implemented?
Who is/was implementing National Federal Government - Department of Social Welfare,
the practice? Ministry of Social Affairs, Republic of Estonia
Local/Municipal government
Which other organisations In 2017, a prototype of the person-centered model was completed in
are/were involved in the cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and a private joint
practice? adventure, Trinidad Wiseman. The prototype was developed together with
people with special care needs, their relatives, service providers,
representative organisations, and the Social Insurance Board.
What are/were the main To make the supporting system for adults with intellectual,
objectives of the practice? psychosocial or developmental disabilities more person centered;
To improve people’s understanding of their rights and opportunities;
To improve the timing of interventions, ensuring people receive
appropriate interventions as early as possible;
To improve support to caretakers and families looking after people
with special care needs;
To provide comprehensive service to the person in need and their
family as close to home as possible.
What is/was the timeframe 2017 – end of 2025
of the practice?
Who is/was targeted by the Adults with intellectual, psychosocial or developmental disabilities
practice? who are not users of special care or social rehabilitation services;
Older persons with disabilities;
Families/informal carers.
What activities are/were The person-centered model prototype was developed together with
carried out? people with special care needs, their relatives, service providers,
representative organisations, and the Social Insurance Board;
In 2017, the prototype was completed in cooperation between the
Ministry of Social Affairs and a private joint adventure, Trinidad
Wiseman;
The approach to deliver this new innovative person-centered
service is based on consistent personal case management;
It includes the creation of an action plan and the monitoring of its
implementation;
A case manager (an employee of the local government) is
appointed to work with the person with disabilities to define their
needs, prepare a comprehensive assistance package, and
establish a personal budget;
Supports to the person in need, and their caretakers or relatives,
are provided as close to home as possible.
What are/were the sources ESF funding 2020-2027 conditions for granting support Access to social
of funding and amounts? protection and long-term care, sub-activity “Testing of an integrated, person-
centered and flexible system of special care services.”
The cost of the pilot during 2017-2022 was EUR 7 million; and for the years
2023-2025 a total of approximately EUR 12 million has been allocated.
What are/were the outputs: The project supports 1955 people;
people reached and Evaluation by a body independent of its implementation;
products? Monthly participant monitoring report;
Twice a year interim reports on project implementation.
What are key sources of Social Insurance Board website:
information? https://sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/puue-ja-
hoolekanne/erihoolekanne/isikukeskse-erihoolekande-teenusmudel