Social services in Greece. Annotated bibliography (original) (raw)
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Social work in Greece is undeveloped despite its relatively long history. One reflection of this under development is that there is vey little literature on Greek social work. This thesis is an attempt to fill this gap by providing, from a critical perspective, an in depth understanding, explanation and critical analysis of contemporary social work practice in Greece. Through qualitative research and specifically through a case study strategy in several Social Services Departments (SSDs) in the County Welfare Departments (CWDs) and municipalities the role and nature of social work is examined from the perspectives of front line social workers and users. These perspectives, the thesis argues offers the chance to grasp the actual realities of official Greek social work in a way which would never be revealed by official papers, legislation and other literature. The thesis is structured in eight chapters. Combining data from interviews with users and social workers, with other relevant policy and historical data the chapters uncover the contemporary realities of Greek social work and seek to offer an explanation for the difficulties facing Greek social workers and the users. In this thesis, through the findings and the analysis, the close link of social work with politics and the impact of the latter on social work are made apparent. It is particularly evident through the findings that the SSDs are neglected by the state which results in practitioners having limited resources for helping effectively their users who in the majority are poor. The poverty of the users and the close link of poverty with social work are some of the main findings of this thesis. Additionally, one of the central arguments of this thesis is that the virtual abandonment of social work and its users by central government stems in part from the class specific character of the profession and the welfare system which systematically ignores the needs of the disadvantaged and their carers. On the other hand, the response of social work to the poor is contradictory and in any case is affected by the politics of welfare, the organizational context, the education as well as the beliefs and attitudes of the practitioners towards the poor.
“Social versus Fiscal - The future of 'Help at Home' services in the Greek social care regime”
Social care policies in Greece are promoted mainly by public bodies and community agencies, strongly influenced by the subsidiarity principle (complementary role of the state related to the social functions of family and kinship networks), typical of the Mediterranean social welfare model. Despite the lack of an integrated minimum income scheme, the development of public social services has proved beneficial particularly for excluded groups like the single elderly and disabled persons. However, there is an increasing concern by the media and some radical grass roots NGOs in relation to the impact of sustainability principles on adequacy of traditional services. The objective of this Paper is to discuss the institutional operation of social care services (particularly Help at Home services for elderly and disabled persons) in the context of the sharp economic crisis that affects Greece and its implications during the implementation of the Financial Stabilisation Mechanism of the Greek Economy since May 2010. The sustainable delivery of ''Help at Home'' services (the most popular welfare scheme in the Greek context) after the suspension of their financing under European Social Fund resources (end of 2011) constitutes a key policy challenge for the rudimentary Mediterranean Greek welfare regime, given that serious limitations in the scope of application will arise soon due to severe fiscal constraints.
Nonprofit Organizations and Human Services in Greece: The Residual Segment of a Weak Sector
VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 2009
The majority of Greek nonprofit organizations active in the field of human services belong in two categories: the first is homes for the elderly that provide assisted living to seniors and the second is philanthropic societies, which primarily fight against poverty. This paper argues that this sector is small in terms of membership, voluntary performance, beneficiaries, and budget. Nonprofit organizations have succeeded in developing close relationships with local communities, as well as in providing essential alleviation quickly and flexibly. On the other hand, organizations are very dependent on the state and they keep beneficiaries away from decision making; moreover, their contribution to building social capital is trivial and participation in policy-making minimal. The lack of collective representation prevents an open society and hinders communication with government.
Solidarity Clinics and social work in the era of crisis in Greece
International Social Work, 2016
After the eruption of the crisis and the imposition of strict austerity measures, a number of grassroots solidarity initiatives emerged in Greece. The growth of Solidarity Clinics (SCs) emerged as an answer to the lack of primary health care for around 2.5 million people who were excluded from the national health system. This article presents and discusses the findings of a research project conducted from May 2014 to September 2014 in Greece. The aim and profile of SCs as well as the involvement of social workers in the initiatives are presented and discussed within the framework of the role of social work.
Greek social work in the times of "double crisis"
Social Dialogue , 2020
An article concerning Greek social work in the context of neoliberalism, financial and refugee crisis published in Social Dialogue magazine by International Federation of Social Work
Comunitania. Revista Internacional de Trabajo Social y Ciencias Sociales, 2017
The economic crisis in Greece cause serious social problems (sudden increase in unemployment, job insecurity, in household debt, in poverty and inequality, greater social seclusion and significant cutbacks in health, mental health and social protection system) that have significant effects on the psychosocial situation of the population (increase of depression, anxiety, psychosomatic issues, alcohol abuse and suicide). The psychosocial effects of the economic crisis have set new standards and demands for social work in Greece and for the role of the social workers and the social services, on two levels especially: service level and value and theory level. Social workers in all settings need to be in a position to deal with mental health problems with the appropriate clinical and community interventions as well as with radical approach and effective methods.
Crucial questions related to the welfare state are for decades, the focus of political conflicts. Up to the 19th century, the care for the destitute was for the Greek society, one of its main concerns; however the transition to programs of public expenses (social insurance, social welfare, health provisions) and to the nationalization of social capital led to malformations and confusion of roles between social protection and reallocation of income among the social and age groups. The malformations that characterize the development of the Greek welfare state raise questions that remain unanswered: Are high expenses and the price of medical services to blame for expanding the role of the state or the reverse? Is the financing increment of the services that caused the expansion? Should the state ensure the effective allocation of transmitted money? Should the Greek public sector, in the era of globalization remain the single actor of the welfare state, or is it time, in the context of a mixed economy (Leonard, 1985; Sachsse and Katz 1986; Gilbert, 2000), for new actors (voluntary sector, private market, informal sector) to emerge? The proposed research will focus on the latter and following a comparative approach will emphasize the role of a mixed economy welfare state (Canadian welfare state) vis-à-vis the Greek welfare state. Firstly, there is a significant gap in our knowledge regarding the potential reformation of the Greek welfare state; above all it is necessary now more than ever to produce new ideas and suggest ways that might offer livable solutions for the problematic, and in a state of total collapse, Greek welfare state.