The document discusses empowerment in social services and vocational rehabilitation. It defines empowerment as increased autonomy, making one's own choices, and higher success rates. Empowerment involves self-management, self-reflection, and internal leadership. It also discusses measuring and reinforcing empowerment. Creating an empowering environment allows individuals to develop self-management and encourages professionals and organizations to act in empowering ways. The document concludes it is possible to enhance individual empowerment and create empowering environments.

1. … and empowering strategies in social services and vocational rehabilitation M - powerment

2. Underlying hypothesis ‘ Empowered’ Increased autonomy Own choices Higher succes rate in rehabilitation Self management Self reflection Internal leadership Autonomy Individual empowerment

3. What is empowerment? Can you measure it? Can you reinforce it? What does ‘empowering’ mean? Can you measure it? How to create an empowering environment? M - powerment

4. Competence Self- determination Impact Meaning Group orientation Positive identity ‘ I can do it’ ‘ It matters to me’ ‘ It ‘s my choice’ ‘ I am OK’’ ‘ I am involved’ ‘ I may ask for help’ M - powerment

5. method Measure ‘Empowerment’ Increase it by training VrijBaan Questionnaire: 60 statements 6 dimensions 1 profile M - powerment Positive identity Group orientation Impact Self determination Meaning Competence Results of 400 successfully rehabilitated people

6. Individual empowerment profiles Positive identity Group orientation Impact Self determination Meaning Competence Positive identity Group orientation Impact Competence Meaning Self determination

7. Training program

10. “ I choose this object, because it feels as if I am always locked up in a cage… And I am the only one to beat myself to come out of that cage, with my hand, and my feet and my head. Still everyone is trying to keep me in that cage, and I ‘ll have to fight with all my power to get out… “ An empowerment trainee and impact

11. Empowerment: a coin with two sides Not only training of individual empowerment, Also CREATING an empowering environment Professional: How to behave as a professional in order to be empowering Organisation: How to enable / facilitate professionals to act in an ‘empowering’ way? Client: What to expect from a professional / organisation?

12. An empowering environment stimulates and encourages a client to develop self management. M – powering Professional – Supervisor – Organisation Identify expectations, promote teamwork Dependence Group orientation Respectfully accept people as they are Self-respect Pos. identity Take people seriously, protect their interests Meaningful Meaning Encourage and allow participation Influence Impact Support decision making, provide space Choices Self-determination Generate and facilitate self-confidence Self-confidence Competency Client 

14. Organisation profile 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Competence Self determination Impact Betekenis Positive Identity Group orientation

16. REQUEST - VrijBaan Conclusion It is possible - To enhance individual empowerment - To create an empowering environment In order to: - Strengthen individual autonomy - Increase ability to make meaningful choices - Improve rehabilitation service quality Target group People with labour disability due to physical, or psychic impairments www.request-vrijbaan.nl