Employment Opportunities for Clients with Mental Retardation in the Institutions of the Social Services

At present, employment opportunities and subsequent remuneration for people with mental retardation are often discussed. The opinions differ on their right to equal opportunities in employment. They are either considered incapable to work due to their retardation or, they are supposed to be financially secure, thanks to the state and do not have to work. I am persuaded that all work should be paid. This Bachelor´s work is based upon my 16 years of work in one of the social services` institution. The Social Services Act No.108/2006 Coll. which came into act on 1 January 2007 together with the Quality Standards of Social Services have brought distinctive changes in providing social services. While the application of these legislative standards has been very important, it has been very difficult. The staff of the social services institutions and the work of this staff are often underestimated. They help socialise their clients through their work and they need mutual support and cooperation to do that. The clients of the social services institutions apply their working skills in these institutions and also in the open labour market where motivation plays an important role. They need to be praised and appreciated, but remuneration has become an inseparable part of this process. The clients who are employed demonstate that they are capable to live independently on one hand and be useful on the other. All sensible activities improve our clients´ maturity of their behaviour, which leads to better self-control, creating new interests and aid in the development their practical skills. The aim of my work has been to gain information about job opportunities of these clients of the social services institutions and investigate how much these opportunities depend upon the location of the institution. I´ve tried to learn if these clients have been able to find jobs inside or outside the institutions. I believe my work will inspire those who are interested in this situation or it will be of help in dealing with this problem