This article is written by Alfrojems, Social Worker Licensed and CSSR Officer at Makmur Elok Graha, part of Artha Graha Group.

  • The problem: Social care requires a programme of good quality services for addressing quality of life needs for people in society. Unfortunately in some countries however, social care lies in a second layer of services rather than in a top tier of priority services.
  • Why it matters: Social care promotes social wellbeing and quality of life through services for individuals and group/community approaches.
  • The solution: Social care services should have monitoring and evaluation systems in place that are led by policy, strategy, and a professional code of conduct.

The holistic perspective of social care leads to it being a primary vehicle to resolve social problems.

Inherent in its nature, society is dynamic, undergoing constant changes in tandem with its development. As a collective of individuals with diverse backgrounds, needs, and life stages, the complexities of society often result in problems or conflicts developing. This dynamism, coupled with the rapid growth of technology and information, increases the complexity of problems and conflicts within society. Social care emerges as a crucial tool in managing and preventing these issues. It encompasses both preventive measures and risk management strategies to mitigate the impact of social problems. The holistic nature of social care is essential to address the multifaceted challenges arising from the diverse nature of societal issues.

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The scale of need for social care depends on the dynamic needs of society. Social care, a term encompassing personal and practical assistance for specific groups, such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, acts as a comprehensive programme or service. It operates through direct or indirect means, benefiting individuals regardless of background, gender, or race. The holistic perspective of social care leads to it being a primary vehicle to resolve social problems. It is also highly flexible and can be put into all phases of services. It has the potential to provide many programmes or services that can help to minimise risk potential through prevention, curative strategies, and rehabilitation.

A three-pronged approach

The preventive aspect of social care involves structured programmes that cater to the needs of individuals or communities, aiming to decrease the potential risks of social problems through education, knowledge sharing, and enlightenment. The curative aspect focuses on supporting, motivating, and assisting individuals or communities during challenging situations. Finally, social care as a tool for rehabilitation seeks to minimise the impact or consequences of a situation.

Establishing a programme of social care services needs careful monitoring and evaluation systems in place that are influenced by strategy. To implement a social care programme, three main pillars should be considered: policy, strategy, and profession. Services should adopt a professional approach and have been justified by policy or regulation, with monitoring and evaluation systems ensuring effective control. Ethical considerations play a crucial role in the profession, and those working in social care follow a code of ethics. Ultimately, the effectiveness of social care lies in its ability to empower individuals and communities, mitigating potential risks and facilitating resilience in the aftermath of social problems.

Finland is one of the countries in the world that has implemented social services programmes well, and has made social care a national priority programme, developing a model for social care in the country. Finland continually develops and enhances the quality of its services nationally through ongoing improvement work that focuses on improving the quality and safety of its services, engaging with service users and staff, focusing on preventing quality deficiencies, and promoting good management and leadership.

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