Within the framework of the project "Teen in conflict with the law: from conflict to inclusion", a seminar "Technologies for working with children in contact with the law (motivational counseling and rights-based approach)" was held. Project specialists from social-pedagogical centers, schools and closed educational institutions took part in the seminar. Two topics were presented on the agenda: the development and implementation of policies for the protection of the rights of the child in institutions and the practical application of motivational counseling in individual preventive work.
In December, at online training session the participants got acquainted with the fundamental basics of motivational interview technology. Since an integral part of the project is the development of the adolescent's motivation to change behavior, it seems important to us to continue training specialists in methodology that has shown their effectiveness. The participants in the sessions received a sufficient basis for the initial practice of motivational counseling for adolescents in conflict with the law.
In order to consolidate the acquired knowledge of specialists, we invited a consultant Irina Lukyanovich. Irina is a coordinator of projects for the prevention of drug addiction, practices in the field of organizing assistance to families with addictions, people with addictions themselves. She is an author of practical manuals, including on motivational counseling and the organization of self-help groups. Irina conducted a one-day training for specialists with the aim of mastering the skills of overcoming resistance in motivational counseling, as well as the practical application of motivational interview technology using the "Aquarium" exercise.
The other aim of the seminar was to familiarize the participants with the amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Project professionals also learned about the strategy, implementation algorithm and structure of the Child Rights Protection Policy in institutions. The idea of children's participation at every stage of realizing their rights according to the Roger Hart ladder concept permeates through all training sessions. Training of specialists participating in the project in the practical step-by-step development of the Policy in the educational institution will ensure the commitment of institutions to the implementation of children's rights. The event contributes to the achievement of the goals of the project, since the major development goal of the project is to provide guarantees for adolescents in contact and conflict with the law, for their successful resocialization through the implementation of their rights specified in the main international documents on the rights of the child.