"Compagnie de Sporen" was founded in 1997 as a result of a co-operation with the Psychiatric Centre Dr. Guislain and the non-profit organisation Zagan (Sheltered Accommodation Department).
The centre is located in a renovated school and convent building in the Maïsstraat 10 in Ghent.
"Compagnie de Sporen" is a centre for job coaching and vocational rehabilitation for people with psychological problems.
"Compagnie de Sporen" aims at providing support to every client, based on his possibilities and limitations, to arrive at the most appropriate form of occupation and social integration. This individual "personalised route" is directed towards employment in the regular job market as much as possible, but can also (temporarily) lead to placement at one of the sheltered workshops.
VisionThe way in which we want to reach this overall goal is based on five concepts: empowerment, diversity, normalisation, network and professionality.
Starting from the empowerment concept, we focus on each "co-worker’s" personal development.
To maintain and/or improve a certain functioning level, the "co-workers" sometimes need a long-term and continuous guidance – ‘coaching’. The basic attitude that makes this "coaching" possible is an attitude of equality.
Co-workers are "co"-responsible for the functioning of our organisation and are consulted in monthly participation meetings.
DiversityJob offers must constantly be adjusted to the specific needs and skills of the client/co-worker. This requires a highly flexible and customised approach. Each route (to employment) is always as short as possible, but at the same time as long as necessary. This is ensured by a job coach who accurately assesses, motivates and encourages growth processes.
NormalisationThe "client" is considered a "co-worker", thus promoting co-responsibility. The vocational rehabilitation activities are developed in the different workshops of the "Compagnie de Sporen". The starting point is the individual character (possibilities and limitations) of each person and we try to anticipate on the added value of each individual to perform a function within the "Compagnie de Sporen". This implies that each person can be successful in what (s)he does or in the opportunities (s)he gets.
Customised Job Coaching to the most appropriate "job" is our core mission. Only if employment in the regular job circuit is not (yet) feasible, we will jointly look for alternative forms of employment: sheltered or social workplaces, volunteer work etc.
In addition, increasing awareness among employers as to employing our target group and promoting diversity management are of primary importance to arrive at a working relationship based on respect.
NetworkVocational rehabilitation can only be successful through a careful co-ordination of care in other vital areas, such as treatment, housing, family, leisure activities, relationships, etc.
"Compagnie de Sporen" wants to encourage and ensure a continuous coherence and co-ordination with its referral services and other parties involved, without, however, violating the characteristics of the different environments.
In order to promote the placement prospects of our target group, "Compagnie de Sporen" invests in the development and expansion of a network on regional, Flemish and international levels. Various actors are regularly invited to co-develop methodologies and strategies designed to promote the integration of our co-workers. Quite often such co-operation networks are financially supported by Flemish, federal or European means.
ProfessionalityTask and job coaching our target group requires professionality and commitment from the counsellors. It requires an attitude of "open-minded commitment" and is aimed at personal development and encouragement of each client/co-worker.
"Compagnie de Sporen" is a "learning organisation" which systematically tries to optimise quality and guidance.
Job CoachingPhase I: Intake
Extensive introduction and setting of personal goals.
Phase 2: Orientation
Obviously, this is the basis of each personalised route. Together with the client, his/her capabilities and growth prospects with respect to future employment are assessed.
Phase 3: Training
If the orientation phase shows that an additional (vocational) training is required, the individual concerned will be referred to the most appropriate training module.
Phase 4: MediationThis includes CV writing, job interview preparation, reviewing job openings, etc. Optionally, we can raise awareness among and inform potential employers, e.g. on measures to promote employment.
Phase 5: Employment
Consolidation phase: "Career counselling"
It is essential that (optional) individual post-hiring counselling is available, aimed at keeping the job and at career development.
Target Group
The target group of this job coaching is people with a mental health problem who seek guidance in their search for appropriate (re)employment in the regular or sheltered employment circuit. Referral is done through various services or on one’s own initiative.
Vocational
Rehabilitation
Definition:
Vocational rehabilitation refers to providing work-related activities in a sheltered environment.
Work is considered here as a useful work-related occupation. Vocational activities are considered as useful if they relate to individual possibilities and limitations, but at the same time encourage personal growth. This implies that each person gets a responsibility that is useful and suitable for him/her, exploits his/her full potential and encourages personal growth.
The target group consists of people who cannot or do not want to apply for a paid job because of current mental health problems and who are sufficiently motivated for job placement.
In our sheltered workshops we want to offer customised work, whereby limitations are accepted and possibilities are optimised. This form of "adjusted work" must lead to a certain degree of reintegration and rehabilitation. In addition, performing a job in the sheltered workshops is aimed at (again) getting used to a work pace and towards work experience.