Preventive, accessible and knowledge-based social services

On 23 January, a proposal for a new Social Services Act was adopted, which is proposed to enter into force on 1 July 2025.

Society’s ultimate safety net

Social services are tasked with providing support and assistance to economically or socially vulnerable people. Social services are also responsible for elderly care, as well as support and interventions for people with disabilities. The new Act aims to ensure that the goals of social services are achieved in a better way than before.

Strengthened individual capacity and increased participation

An important task for social services is to strengthen the opportunities for social participation for those who need support. The rights and interests of children and young people should be particularly protected so that they can develop, feel secure and involved, and have influence over their own lives. Vulnerable children should always receive the protection they need. Social services also work to ensure that people with disabilities can live like others and enjoy full participation in society. Additionally, social services work to ensure that elderly people can live and reside independently under safe conditions and have an active and meaningful life in the community with others.

Strengthening children’s rights

The new Social Services Act also strengthens children’s rights by aligning it with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Social services must take the child’s opinions into account when assessing what is in the best interest of the child. The child also has the right to information about their interventions, and social services must ensure that the child understands this information.

The new legislative proposal includes:

• social services should work more preventively and identify needs before they become too serious;
• the preventive work of social services against crime should be clarified;
• social services should be easier to reach and get help from when needed; and
• social services should be able to offer interventions faster in urgent situations.