FCC MSUPE Specialists Meet with Representatives of the Information Center of the Russian Investigative Committee and the Fund for Support of Children
On September 9, a working meeting was held at the Federal Coordination Center for Ensuring the Development of Psychological and Pedagogical Assistance in the Education System of the Russian Federation (FCC MSUPE) , dedicated to supporting children in difficult life, crisis, and extreme situations through distance counselling. Along with colleagues, the meeting was attended by Elena Gennadievna Fedyunina, Chair of the Board of the Fund for Support of Children in Difficult Life Situations, Ekaterina Valeryevna Danilova, Head of the Information Center of the Russian Investigative Committee, and Anna Valerievna Ermolaeva, Deputy Head of FCC MSUPE. The Coordination Center was also represented by Oleg Maksimovich Khazimullin, Head of the Emergency Psychological Assistance Department of FCC MSUPE, and Yulia Alexandrovna Zhuravleva, Head of the Distance Counselling Sector "Child Helpline".
A phone conversation can be a child's first step towards talking about what troubles them. At that moment, it is especially important for the child to feel that the person on the other end of the line can be trusted. Therefore, it is particularly important for specialists who are in daily contact with children and their parents to constantly improve their professional skills and exchange experience.
Representatives of the Fund spoke about the implementation of the All-Russian project "Child Helpline", which provides psychological support and assistance to children and their parents in various difficult life situations. "The reason for contacting may be family and school conflicts, bullying, including cyberbullying, anxiety states, and suicidal risks. In crisis and emergency situations, specialists also provide emergency psychological assistance directly at the scenes of mass incidents," emphasized E.G. Fedyunina.
In turn, E.V. Danilova noted that for the Information Center of the Russian Investigative Committee, issues of professional interaction with minors have particular practical significance. She said that for prompt response to reports of crimes and incidents involving minors, the Information Center of the agency operates a round-the-clock telephone line "Child in Danger," created on the instruction of the Chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee, Alexander Ivanovich Bastrykin. It is contacted by parents, relatives, witnesses, and the minors themselves. "In the first half of this year, more than one and a half thousand calls were received on our telephone line, which exceeds the figure for the same period last year. An increase in the number of such appeals is also noted in the territorial investigative bodies of the Russian Investigative Committee", explained E.V. Danilova.
Ekaterina Valerievna noted that improving the professional skills of Information Center staff is systemic. "Previously, they familiarized themselves with the organization of the work of the psychological support line of the Russian Ministry of Defence, as well as with the experience of the Moscow Service for Psychological Assistance to the Population and the Federal State Budgetary Institution Center for Emergency Psychological Assistance of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. Inspectors of the department for handling appeals received on the telephone lines of the information directorate have previously completed an additional professional program at MSUPE on counselling on the child helpline. The Information Center has accumulated serious experience in working with citizens' appeals; the exchange of practical developments with specialists in related fields allows us to improve approaches to this work, enhance the professional competencies of employees, and make responses to incoming signals more prompt and targeted", she said.
During the working meeting, practical approaches to remote interaction with children and parents were considered. Modern formats of distance psychological counselling were also discussed, which expand opportunities for seeking help for children who have difficulties with direct or telephone communication.
Special attention was paid to further support for those who have applied – in situations requiring interaction with relevant organizations and agencies.
The guests were also told about the main goals and objectives of FCC MSUPE, shown the work of the MSUPE Situation Center, and given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the working atmosphere of the Coordination Center Service "Child Helpline."
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness for further cooperation and joint implementation of the planned initiatives.
