The Social Work Foundation (SWF) was established in 1967 in Athens (Greece) as a non-profit, public benefit organization.  Its activities had started almost twenty years earlier, in 1946, as a Greek arm of an American humanitarian volunteer organization, established in Greece to help with social programs to rebuild the country at the end of the WWII.

The Foundation employs social workers and other specialized personnel and is recognized for its pioneering programs which it planned and ran in the area of social welfare programs while, at the same time, contributing to the development of social work  as a science in Greece.

In particular, the Foundation was active in the areas of Urban Social Development and Rehabilitation of Disabled People.  In this framework, the Foundation has developed and implemented a number of pioneering programs for families in crisis, the elderly, refugees and disabled people.

“Hadjipaterion”.

In 1973, the Social Work Foundation founded the Rehabilitation and Support Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy.  In 1985, with the help of  the J. K. Hadjipateras family, the Center moved to a new, purpose-built venue at Metamorphosis (a suburb of Athens, in Attica).  Following this, the Center was named “Hadjipaterion”, giving credit to the grand donor.

Hadjipaterion practices a family approach to support your child’s needs.  This means that a group of specialists will work with our service users at family level.  

“Karteria”(Endurance).

In 2010,  the Gait Analysis Laboratory, was founded at Hadjipaterion and was later named “Karteria” following a donation in 2018. This Laboratory utilises both state-of-art technology and highly trained personnel.  It serves both children and adults, who may have neurological difficulties from birth, have been injured or are about to undergo surgical interventions, in order to establish an exact plan for the surgery as well as the rehabilitation plan.  The Laboratory collects and interprets data used to study problems in standing posture and walking.

The state of the art technology, as well as a multifaceted approach allows us to record the body’s movement, muscle activity and strength which otherwise are imperceptible.

Short-term Accommodation & Respite Care.

On the premises of the “Hadjipaterion, the guest quarters are composed of five independent rooms (with  en-suite baths) as well as fully furnished and equipped common areas: living room, dining area and kitchen.   The guest quarters have been recently refurbished and redecorated  by the Ikea Company.  A total of twelve individuals can be accommodated in two- or three- bed rooms.

The rooms are offered to families visiting the Hadjipaterion Center from the Greek provinces (where no adequate services are available) to participate in the Periodic Program as well as the evaluation program to borrow specialized equipment from the “Bank of Rehabilitation Aids” of the Center.

We offer the Guest Quarters to visitors from abroad in related fields to exchange know-how and experience.

Finally, the Guest Quarters are used by the children of our Day Care Program in order to develop their independence in every-day living.

“Leon Lemos” Hall.

In 2010, thanks to the generous donation of the Lemos Family, a large conference hall was added to the “Hadjipaterion”.  It comfortably seats 250 individuals and is available for rent to host seminars and conferences as well as social gatherings, such as weddings, baptisms, parties, exhibits etc.  the hall is also used for all the events for children of both the Center and the Special Education Unit of Metamorphosis, located at the Center.

To reserve the hall, click here [coming soon].

Special Education Needs School. 

In 2010, upon the request of the Ministry of Education, the Center hosts the Special Education and Training School called Special Primary School of Metmorphosis.  The aim of this cooperation is to ensure the smooth transfer of the Center’s children to a school environment, after they have completed the early intervention program of the Hadjipaterion.