Shelter and Social Rehabilitation Institution for vulnerable groups

General information about the enterprise

The Shelter and Social Rehabilitation Institution (hereinafter – the Institution) for vulnerable groups of the population, subordinated to the Agency for Social Services under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a public legal entity engaged in socially important activities.

The Institution carries out the social rehabilitation of:

• Homeless persons over 18 years of age;
• Victims of domestic violence;
• Persons with visual impairments (hereinafter – persons).

Its activities include the provision of social-legal, medical-social, social-domestic, and social-advisory services, as well as the organization of semi-inpatient and inpatient social services. Temporary accommodation is provided during the rehabilitation period for eligible persons admitted in inpatient form.

Additionally, the Institution operates a hotline to provide social-advisory support to vulnerable groups, and delivers services in other areas in accordance with the functions and activities of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Who is admitted to the enterprise?

• Neglected, orphaned, and socially endangered children under the age of 4;
• Persons over the age of 18 without a fixed place of residence;
• Victims of domestic violence;
• Persons with visual impairments aged 5–29.

The following persons are not admitted to enterprises:

Individuals with infectious or mental illnesses, as well as those experiencing occasional epileptic seizures or epilepsy accompanied by dysphoria.

Service life in the institution:

The rehabilitation period for individuals in the institution shall not exceed 180 (one hundred and eighty) days, except in cases where an extension is granted with the consent of the Social Services Agency, based on the results of the rehabilitation process.

The process for neglected, lonely and socially dangerous minors

Applying for admission to the institution

To be admitted to the institution, children must apply either personally or through an authorized representative from the city or district police, the local commission for the protection of the rights and affairs of minors, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, or other entities under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population. Applications are submitted to the Social Services Agency or "DOST" centers.

(In accordance with paragraph 2.3 of the "Rules for placement of persons (families) in difficult living conditions in public social service institutions" approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated November 5, 2013 No 320)

Services provided in the enterprise

In order to carry out the social rehabilitation of individuals, an individual plan for the provision of social services, agreed upon by the institution, shall be drawn up for each person.

The following measures are taken for the purpose of social rehabilitation of the persons accepted by the institution:

For neglected, lonely, and socially endangered minors (children):

• Initial medical examination of children and provision of first aid to them;
• Initial assessment of children's psycho-social situation;
• Ensuring that children in need of inpatient treatment are sent to treatment and prevention facilities;
• Providing children with medicines and other medical supplies according to the doctor's opinion;
• Monitoring children's emotional state and behavior;
• Relieving children from depression and providing them with psychological assistance in accordance with their age, creativity, intellectual, and physical abilities;
• Studying the characteristics of the child's normal or socially dangerous behavior, determining his potential and tendencies, and the form and degree of isolation from society (if any), in order to organize integrated measures for pedagogical correction;
• Improving children's skills in self-care, behavior at home and in public places, self-control, and other areas of life;
• Implementing measures aimed at expanding children's worldview, increasing communication skills, and developing creative activities;
• Assisting children in acquiring simple work habits and various professions, informing them about different professions and their characteristics, identifying professional tendencies, providing professional advice, and taking appropriate measures to ensure their employment if they are able to work;
• Applying to relevant educational institutions to assist children in their education in accordance with their physical and mental abilities, and taking joint measures with educational institutions in this direction;
• Implementing relevant measures related to the organization of children's cultural and leisure time;
• Protecting children's rights and providing professional assistance in identifying offenders;
• Assisting in obtaining documents (birth certificate, identity card, documents required for employment, etc.).

The process for persons over 18 years of age without a fixed abode

Applying for admission to the institution

Admission of persons to the enterprise shall be carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan or by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is carried out on the basis of appeals to "DOST" centers.

Required medical document

To determine whether a person has a condition that would prevent admission to the institution, they are referred to a medical center. Based on the examination results, a medical certificate is issued confirming that they are not carriers of infectious diseases and have no mental health disorders. If there are clear concerns about a person’s health, they are referred to specialized medical institutions for further assessment.

Services provided in the enterprise

• Conducting the initial medical examination of individuals and providing first aid;
• Performing an initial assessment of the individual’s psycho-social condition;
• Ensuring that persons requiring inpatient care are referred to appropriate treatment and prevention facilities;
• Supplying medicines and other medical materials in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations;
• Monitoring the emotional state and behavior of individuals;
• Assisting with the acquisition or restoration of personal documents (identity cards, property records, employment documents, etc.), as well as the processing of pensions and other social benefits;
• Providing psycho-social support and counseling to address psychological trauma, restore social status, and promote social adaptation and integration into society;
• Assisting in the organization of vocational training, retraining, and employment opportunities in line with individual’s physical and mental capacities;
• Organizing cultural and leisure activities for individuals;
• Offering legal advice to protect individuals’ rights and professional assistance in identifying offenders.

The process for visually impaired people

Applying for admission to the institution

For admission to the institution, parents (or relatives, other legal representatives (guardians, trustees), municipalities, non-governmental organizations, as well as other persons with the consent of the person) to the Agency for Social Services under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan or “ DOST ”centers.

Services provided in the enterprise

• Conduct initial medical examinations and provide first aid;
• Ensure that individuals in need of inpatient treatment are referred to appropriate treatment and prevention facilities;
• Carry out initial assessments of psycho-social conditions and provide socio-psychological support;
• Teach Braille to individuals aged 15–29;
• Enhance foot sensation and train individuals in the use of white canes;
• Organize vocational training and retraining in line with individuals’ physical and mental abilities;
• Implement activities and initiatives aimed at organizing cultural and leisure opportunities.

The process for victims of domestic violence

Applying for admission to the institution

To be admitted to the enterprise, as well as with the consent of the person, relatives, legal representative (guardian, trustee), municipalities, non-governmental organizations or other persons apply to the Social Services Agency or "DOST" centers under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan they do.

Services provided in the enterprise

• Initial medical examination of persons and provision of first aid;
• Preliminary assessment of the psychological and emotional state of individuals;
• Implementation of measures aimed at restoring damaged or lost functions, eliminating the consequences of diseases and injuries, and achieving full or partial recovery of psychological, physiological, and anatomical disorders;
• Providing psycho-social support and counseling to eliminate psychological trauma, restore social status, and ensure social adaptation and integration into society;
• Providing legal advice to individuals to protect their rights and offering professional assistance in identifying offenders;
• Assistance in the preparation of relevant documents for social protection or the receipt of social benefits;
• Assistance in employment and acquisition of new professions;
• Provision of temporary shelter to individuals;
• Implementation of relevant measures related to the organization of cultural and leisure activities;
• Implementation of appropriate measures to restore a normal lifestyle in the families of individuals.