Community Programme to address the needs of the population aged 0-18 in situations of poverty and social exclusion in Bilbao: Caixa ProInfancia Programme

• Main Authors: María Mar Martínez Vázquez, Aranzazu Gonzalo García
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ubiquity Press 2019-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Integrated Care
• Subjects: community; children and families; poverty; network work; interdisciplinary work
• Online Access: https://www.ijic.org/articles/5358

Introduction: The report of Childhood and Adolescence Observatory ( Ikuspegiak, 2013) identifies a total of 63,864 children under the age of 14 living in the Basque Country at risk of maintenance poverty( 11,8%) or with a lack of well-being (10,5%). Short description of practice change implemented: In 2011, in Bilbao, Basic Social Services attended a total of 13,012 children from 0 to 18 years, representing 23.10% ( 56,226 inhabitants), however, the distribution by neighbourhoods is not equal. There are four districts that exceed this percentage of use: Otxarkoaga – Txurdínaga (33.0%), San Francisco – La Peña (29.55%) , Rekalde – Peñaskal ( 33.29%) y Zorroza ( 35.81%).After an assessment of the “social risk”, those areas were assessed as being of greater risk. The identification of these territorial areas with the highest incidence or risk of child poverty and vulnerability in Bilbao has led to the implementation of pilot projects ( Caixa Proinfancia Programme). Aim and theory of change: The main objective of the Caixa Proinfancia Programme( CPI) pilots is to increase educational and social inclusion opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk children and adolescents , deepening the model of integral action and based on coordination and networking approach in territories . Targeted population: Families registered in Bilbao in unfavorable socioeconomic situations and with children under their care between 0 and 18 years old. Stakeholders: Obra social “la Caixa”, CPI coordinating charity, City Team Coordinator, Base Social Service, Basque Health Service -Osakidetza-, technical representative of Education Department, University of Deusto. Timeline: Since 2011, in Bilbao, CPI Operating Tables have been gradually launched in Rekalde, Otxarkoaga , Zorroza, Deusto y San Francisco,  with meetings every month that are currently active. Highlights: Changing working culture towards a more collaborative approach among professionals from Social Services, Education, Health and Third Sector .Partnership supports Constitution Act in which objectives and commitments are fixed, as well as constitution of three work structures: Strategic Table, Operative Table and Work Commissions. Comments on sustainability: Any inequality that occurs at the beginning of life determines the course of life, reduces individual possibilities to develop people’s potential and socially involves a loss that will need to be restored at a much higher personal and social cost. Comments on transferability: Model of integral action based on coordinated and networked work in territories can be  transfer. Conclusions: The CPI manages to increase educational and social inclusion opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk children and adolescents, deeping the model of integral action and based on coordination work and networking in territories. Discussion: Childhood protection is an unquestionable value in societies. It guarantees the full development of Human Rights and the Rights of the Children. Lessons learned: We can affirm that socio-educational intervention with children and families in situations of risk and vulnerability is a priority issue in our environment. The processes of improvement and innovation necessarily go through systematic evaluation processes contextualized and adjusted to the concrete reality.