At the present stage, the socio-economic and political situation in Russia is unstable, which causes a growth in the number of citizens in need of state support. These issues are addressed by social services. The principles of operation of this system meet the latest standards for organizing various forms of assistance and were formulated taking into account the specifics of emerging social problems.
Social service development factors
The concept and principles of social services have repeatedly changed and transformed, since various approaches to addressing these issues have appeared. With the development of statehood and civil society, they have become much more complicated and expanded. However, the principles of this work as activity took shape in the century before last, therefore, relatively recently, the organization of assistance to people in need has acquired such a form as social services. The principles were formed under the influence of philosophical, sociological, economic paradigms of social work. At the present stage, their content also meets the requirements of the law.
A new stage in the development of the Russian social assistance system began after the events of 1991.
Social Services: Definition and Legal Framework
The domestic sphere of state assistance to the needy population is everywhere being reformed and improved. The concept and principles of social services are not only largely characterize the rule-making activities of the state, but also reflect the direction of social policy in relation to the vulnerable groups of society.
Clients of social services are citizens who are in a difficult life situation. This term refers to a situation (illness, disability, single motherhood, unemployment, old age, etc.), which objectively violated the vital activity of a citizen, which alone cannot be overcome by it.
The concept and principles of social services determine the specifics of the organization of work with clients. At the end of 2013, a new law was adopted “On the Basics of Social Services for Citizens in the Russian Federation”, which determined the economic, social and legal grounds and the procedure for organizing this type of activity. In addition, the powers related to the competence of state authorities and regional authorities in the field of work on servicing citizens and providing them with qualified social assistance were re-established. At the same time, the rights and obligations of the recipients of social services were approved. They included both persons with Russian citizenship and foreigners who do not have this status, but who live permanently in the country, for example refugees. That is, the recipient of services can be any citizen legally recognized as needing social assistance.
New legislation established the concept, principles, forms of social services. It represents a focused activity to provide a whole range of social services to various categories of needy citizens. A social service is understood as an action or actions that are provided on a permanent, periodic, one-time basis to improve living conditions or to increase the possibilities of independently solving life's difficulties.
Of course, social service has a completely different meaning in other countries. Principles, forms of work with the population in our country and abroad determined by the territorial, economic, cultural and other features of a particular state or region.
The structure of social services
Today in Russia a multilevel system is developed, consisting of forms and technologies of work, institutions, organizations providing social services. The principles must be respected by each supplier implicitly and regardless of affiliation with a particular agency.
The state system of social services is complex and includes:
- an executive authority of the federal level, whose task is to develop and implement the provisions of state policy and legal regulation in the field of social services;
- a state authority at the regional level, which is authorized to fulfill the state guarantees of social assistance adopted by law;
- directly organizations and social welfare institutions under the jurisdiction of federal, regional and local executive bodies;
- non-profit and commercial (non-governmental) organizations having the right (permission) to provide social services to needy citizens;
- individual entrepreneurs specializing in social services.
The law also defines the subjects (suppliers) and objects (recipients) involved in the process and having the legal right to affordable social services. The principles, the organization of work of public institutions are developed taking into account the regional characteristics of the subject of Russia. Clients of social services are most often people with disabilities, pensioners, single-parent and large families, military personnel, and the unemployed.
Changes occurring at the state level have a direct impact on the social services of the population. Principles, types, functions should demonstrate effectiveness in emergency situations and in multitasking.
The main functions of the system
Researchers of the basics of social work identified two main groups of functions that relate to social services:
1) essential-activity (social patronage, preventive, adaptive, social and rehabilitation, security and protective);
2) moral-humanistic (personal- and social-humanistic).
They appear at the macro and micro levels of social services. The optimal operation of the elements and subsystems of social services is directly related to their practical implementation.
It should be noted that the functions and principles of social services apply not only to one recipient, but also to a group of people united by a common problem. That is, this activity is carried out both at the individual and at the group levels.
Principles for the provision of social services
Principles of social services characterized as comprehensive, integrated, acting in the interests of service recipients. The basis for working with citizens from vulnerable groups of the population is the provisions on the observance of the rights and freedoms of every person, respect for him as an individual, it does not allow insults to the dignity and honor of a person, and the humane nature of relations with clients is pursued.
The fundamental principles for the provision of social services are:
- Free and equal access of a citizen of any age, gender, language, religion, nationality, belief, place of residence, membership in public associations permitted in the state. It follows from this that the principles of social service guarantee the needy the same opportunity to receive the necessary services.
- Targeted provision of all types of social assistance, that is, a set of social services should be carried out taking into account the needs of a particular client, his internal resources.
- Social service providers should be close to the recipient's place of residence, the necessary number of providers to ensure customer satisfaction, as well as the optimal number of personnel, financial, information and other capabilities of social services.
- Maximum preservation of the familiar favorable environment for the client;
- Voluntary start.
- Confidentiality of work: the social services provider undertakes to store and not disclose personal data, personal information and other information about the client. In addition, it is not allowed to disclose confidential, proprietary information. Violation of this principle entails bringing the perpetrator to justice under Russian law. Only after obtaining the written consent of the recipient (legal representative) of social services, the transfer or copying of information by other persons in the interests of the recipient is allowed. However, there are legal grounds that allow you to violate the principle of confidentiality and request information: a request from a court, investigation, inquiry or other in connection with a trial or other procedures when processing on a public services portal or other portals in accordance with the law.
When organizing work with a client, all principles of social services should be involved. Thus, a statement of an integrated approach in organizing relief activities would be appropriate.
It should be noted that the principles of social services for citizens are taken into account when developing state standards and administrative regulations for the provision of services to people in need at all levels: from the federal department to the local institution.
Guaranteed rights to social services recipients
The principles of the right to social services reflect the level of humanity of the state and society in relation to needy citizens.
Clients of social services are entitled to:
- respect and humane treatment;
- receiving information on their own rights and obligations, types, terms, procedures, conditions, tariffs for providing services in an institution on a free and accessible basis, in addition, the client can always get information about the service provider, about the possibility of getting help for free;
- citizens have the right to independent and voluntary choice of the institution to which they can be provided with the necessary service;
- to refuse the service;
- guarantee of protection of legal rights and interests;
- ensuring the socio-hygienic requirements of the conditions of stay and proper care in social services;
- free access to the recipient by legal representatives, notaries, lawyers and other persons during the evening and afternoon;
- The right to social support.
The indicated rights by the client cannot be violated, otherwise the consumer has legal grounds to seek clarification from higher authorities or to send a statement of claim to the court.
Recipients Responsibilities
The regulatory documents also spell out the responsibilities of each client, that is, any recipient of a social service should:
- provide documents and information that are necessary for the provision of social services;
- inform the provider on time about changes in personal data or circumstances affecting the process of providing assistance;
- not violate the terms of the contract for the provision of services, which include timely and full payment, if any;
- not violate generally accepted rules and norms of behavior in society, discipline in the institution.
Due to a violation of one or more of the rules, the social service has the right to temporarily suspend work with a client or completely refuse the requested service.
The federal law also provides for the rights and obligations of suppliers. Each of them is obliged to fully provide the set of requested services, to carry out this work in a timely manner, in accordance with the law and existing regulations.
Social Assistance Terms
The legalized principles of social services affect the provision of all types of assistance. The basis is the personal application of the client (legal representative), transferred to the institution, or an appeal to state and local authorities, public associations within the framework of the organization of interagency cooperation.
Social services can be provided free of charge to persons affected by industrial, natural disasters and other emergency situations, during interethnic and armed clashes, as well as children under 18 years of age.
The application is considered within the time limits established by the regulations, after which the institution carries out the procedure for recognizing the applied citizen in need of social assistance. If the supplier refuses to provide the necessary services to the client, the latter has the right to appeal the decision in court.
The basic principles of social services also serve as a criterion for evaluating the performance of service providers. If they are followed, then the solution to customer problems is at a high level.
Social Services Financing
The sources of financing the social welfare system include budget funds (federal, regional, local levels of government); voluntary donations or charitable contributions; payment by citizens for the social services provided to them; funds from entrepreneurial activity or other sources that are not prohibited by law.
Forms and types of social services
In fact, social service is an indispensable part of the social sphere. The concept, principles, types make up its content.
The main forms of providing social services are:
- home service;
- semi-stationary service, that is, services are provided only at certain times of the day;
- stationary service, namely: customer service is carried out permanently or temporarily, five days a week in conditions of permanent residence in the institution.
However, not only the principles were legalized in the regulatory document. Types of social services imply a wide range of measures provided for solving a range of consumer problems.
Social security institutions provide customers with the following services:
- social, providing assistance in the household sphere of the client in the process of life;
- socio-medical, which are aimed at maintaining and maintaining the health of the recipient of the service by organizing proper care for him, providing support during health-improving measures, organizing monitoring of his health and general well-being to prevent deviations;
- socio-psychological services include corrective assistance in the process of adaptation to new social conditions, as well as emergency assistance in difficult life situations by telephone hotline;
- socio-pedagogical, the purpose of which is the prevention of deviations in personality development, reinforcing positive interests, teaching the right forms of organization of leisure activities; assistance to any family in raising children;
- social and labor are called upon to assist in the employment of the client and help him cope with the problems that arose at the station of adaptation to the workplace;
- social and legal provide for legal assistance, protection of the rights and interests of the recipient;
- services aimed at improving the communication skills of a client with limited health abilities;
- various types of urgent social services: provision with food packages or hot meals; clothes and shoes; daily necessities; assistance in finding temporary housing; the provision of emergency psychological assistance; issuance of one-time financial assistance; legal advice and other services.
If necessary, citizens who need assistance can be provided with assistance not related to social services, otherwise, social support.
The degree of complexity, the duration of the provision of services, the level of their adequacy and compliance with the requirements are the basis of the criteria for the effectiveness of social services in relation to various categories of citizens. Compliance with legislative norms, the code of ethics and local regulations will make social services quality, the result of their action will be effective, which together will help reduce social tension in society.