Pirjo Sarvimäki, Aki Siltaniemi (Eds.). Recommendations for the task structure of professional social services staff. Helsinki, 2007. 80pp. (Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Finland, ISSN 1236-2050, 2007:14). ISBN 978-952-00-2366-9 (pb), ISBN 978-952-00-2367-6 (PDF)

The purpose of the task structure recommendations is to clarify the division of labour between the major professional groups in social services, to adjust the task structure to respond better to client needs and to use to the full the skills and knowledge produced by the reformed education in the social services field. The recommendations have been prepared by a broad-based expert working group. The task structure recommendations outline the division of labour in a client process between social workers, social welfare supervisors (polytechnic degrees: Bachelor of Social Services, Geriatric Nurse, Rehabilitation Counsellor) and practical nurses for social care, and in child day care between kindergarten teachers and practical nurses. The recommendations are based on the Act on Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals that entered into force on 1 August 2005.

The division of tasks between the different professional groups is based on the client process and effectiveness of services. The aim of the client process in social services is to promote and maintain the security and functional capacity of an individual or family. The effectiveness of the service obtained by a client can be ensured by an effective client process that is based on an assessment of the client’s service needs, has been planned together with the client and the professionals providing the service and the effectiveness of which is assessed. The client process is divided into six phases: taking up the case, assessment of service needs, drawing up a service plan, decisions and implementation of measures, impact assessment, and conclusion of the professional – client relationship. The process always has a person responsible for it, who is responsible for the effectiveness of the process and ultimately also for the effective service obtained by the client. In the various phases of a client process the knowledge and skills of each professional group are made use of efficiently and appropriately in the different sectors of social services. The recommendations also emphasise working together so that the service needs assessment, drawing up and monitoring of client plans, and impact assessment are realised in teams, thus ensuring the effectiveness of services. The recommendations describe in more detail the labour division between the professional groups in the different task areas of social welfare.

Although an individual client and the services obtained by him or her are in focus in a review based on the client process, an individual client process is integrated into the surrounding community and structures. A further objective in the development of the professional staff’s task structure is to make use of the knowledge obtained in client processes in the preventive, community-based and structural work. The ultimate objective is to reinforce the prerequisites for the welfare of clients and communities by preventing problems from arising and by tackling drawbacks at an early stage, as well as by improving the performance and effectiveness of social services.

The implementation of the recommendations issued for the task structure of social service professionals will be monitored and evaluated in cooperation with municipal authorities.

Key words: social services, social services sector, staff