Re-territorializing democracy: Social service regionalism and ‘recalibrated’ governance in Ontario’s Peel Region

The reality is that social welfare services in Nigeria exclude more people than they cover, resulting in the deprivation of basic human needs such as water, sanitation, shelter, healthcare, and education that have hindered the betterment of the living conditions of the citizens (Nkpoyen et al., 2021; Okpa, 2022). This study explored factors affecting the government delivery of social welfare services in Nigeria. Five hundred and seventy (570) respondents’ opinions were purposively sampled using the 36-item Social Welfare Service Delivery Questionnaire (SWSDQ) and an in-depth interview guide. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square statistical technique, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 20. As a supplement to the quantitative data, the qualitative data were analysed in themes. Findings from this study revealed that although all the respondents reported knowing about available social welfare services, 44.3% reported not accessing the existing social services because of such factors as political expediency, transparency, accountability, corruption, and perception of social service providers. A key policy issue, therefore, is the need to look into the eradication or mitigation of these factors ascribed to be hindering the delivery of social welfare services. This will expedite the blanket spread of the delivery, accessibility, and utilisation of social welfare services for residents, not just in the study area but across the country

This study examines the determinants of the boundaries of efficient governance and social service delivery in Native Alaskan communities. These communities are commonly quite small and remote, and often have only modest administrative capacity. These factors suggest that economies of scale may operate and push the efficient location of governance and social service delivery toward regions and the State and away from the villages. Counteracting such tendencies, however, are principal-agent issues of accountability and cultural match. Research in similar, American Indian settings outside of Alaska and examination of actual performance in a number of Alaskan cases indicate that local control substantially enhances accountability and improves the likelihood that decision makers operate with legitimacy and responsiveness to local conditions, norms, and values. At the same time, it is found that diseconomies of small scale are being overcome through innovative adaptations, such as provision of social services through multiple-village cooperation and governance by sub-regional village organizations.

A national sample of 148 directors of hospice social service departments (or persons most familiar with the delivery of social services in the hospice) participated in an exploratory study investigating the effects of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic on the delivery of hospice social services. Findings suggest, as does the literature, that the psychosocial needs of persons dying from AIDS present different challenges than those of traditional hospice patients. Furthermore, the results indicate the need for greater collaborative efforts among community agencies as well as specific and ongoing training for staff and volunteers who work with persons with AIDS (PWAs). Implications for the delivery of hospice social services to this population are discussed.

This study examined urban governance and its effects on social services delivery in the city of Enugu. Data used in this study were collected from primary sourcethrough a questionnaire method from 60 respondents who reside in Enugu and Owerri cities. Mean and standard deviation was used in analyzing the data. The mean score results indicate that there is a poor observance of six good governance principles, namely, accountability (2.4), openness to change(2.3), compliance with the law (2.4), subsidiarity (2.4), absence of corruption(2.3) and equality(2.4) by government in the provision of social services in Enugu. This implies the existence of bad governance in the city’s administration of social services delivery. However, the other good governance principles namely, transparency (2.5), efficiency and effectiveness (2.5), innovation (2.6), consensus-oriented (2.6), responsiveness (2.6), integrity (2.7), democratic representation (2.8), security (2.8) and cultural diversity (2.9) show moderate observance by the government in the provision of social services. The residents have poor access to social services delivery in areas of potable water supply (1.5), affordable public housing (1.9), recreational services (2.1), efficient effective mass transport system (2.2) and efficient security services (2.2). In addition, bureaucracy, corruption, mismanagement, lack of transparency, lack of political continuity and violation of acceptable norms are the key factors that cause poor social services delivery. A comparative analysis between Enugu and Owerri indicates interesting results, evidence of good urban governance is more pronounced in Enugu than in Owerri, residents of Enugu have more access to efficient social services delivery than Owerri.

COVID-19 epidemiological security measures – social service delivery disruption and restrictions on direct social contacts – stressed the need for transformations in social work practice. These restrictions limited the social service delivery options and brought to light existing and new pandemic-related needs of vulnerable populations. The article aims to explore the transformations in social service delivery and social work practice that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia. The research uses a mixed methods design and the triangulation of qualitative data (90 interviews with social service providers) and quantitative data (survey of social service providers, n = 443). It highlights the ability of service providers to adapt to the new emergency situation, to find innovative solutions for the organisation of social work practice and to deliver social services in the emergency situation with rather limited resources. The scope of social services remained almost the same, while the format and size of social service delivery changed considerably. Social workers demonstrated high responsiveness to the needs of service users, the ability to learn and master new technologies and to apply the new skills in social work practice. A conceptual model of transformative change in social service delivery and social work practice is discussed.

This chapter highlights recent innovations in social services delivery, as well as online social work training and education. Information and communication technology (ICT) is not new, but applying ICT to social services and social work is rather recent. Social services, schools and social work training centres have been rather creative in using social media and new communication tools in delivering social services and social work training. There has been rapid development in online social work education in China, India, Singapore, South Africa and globally. Online social work training has taken off exponentially and it may potentially be disruptive of traditional approaches to social work education and social service delivery. In highlighting issues relating to online education, the chapter also discusses the questions of ethics and online education as well as the pedagogy needed for effective online instruction and training. The strategy used by the Global Institute of Social Work (GISW) is highlighted as a case study. The vision of the GISW is unconventional with regard to the delivery of quality social work training where it is needed, but especially to social workers in third world nations.

Total quality management (TQM) has been hailed as the new managerial wave of the 1990s (Martin, 1993), and quality-focused service management is currently gaining international acceptance in the delivery of social services (Hjern & Blomquist, 1991; Lehtinen, 1991). Although reasonable people may disagree about the compatibility of orthodox TQM with the social services and public service sector (Carr & Littman, 1990; Swiss, 1992), the movement toward quality-focused management need not wait for the resolution of every incompatibility between TQM and social services organizations. Even the most cautious analysts agree that TQM is a useful tool despite the fact that social and public services organizations are not prepared to implement it in its most orthodox form (Martin, 1993; Swiss, 1992). The history of TQM is both complex and fascinating. Its roots are in the collaboration of American management experts and Japanese manufacturers during and following the American occupation of japan at the end of World War II (Dobyns & Crawford-Mason, 1991). A simplistic interpretation of this period is that American consultants (such as W. Edward Deming) were listened to by the japanese while largely ignored at home. However, American consultants cannot be credited with creating the cultural climate that allowed TQM to blossom in Japan. The success of japanese manufacturing is a result of the synthesis of management and industrial technology and organizational culture (Fallows, 1989). In short, American consultants taught the Japanese the importance of quality-focused management, and, in turn, the Japanese taught Americans the importance of a quality-focused way of life. Quality has been a consistent theme in the popular and academic management literatures. Crosby (1979), Drucker (1989), and others (Dobyns & Crawford-Mason, 1991; Walton, 1990) have permeated the popular press with books promoting the use of Deming-inspired quality management techniques. Robert Reich (1990, 1991), at Harvard University, is one of many academicians who advocate the study of Japanese approaches to quality management. Recently, attention has turned to the problems and opportunities associated with the implementation of TQM (or aspects of TQM) in the delivery of social services (Schonberger, 1992). Public and not-for-profit organizations face strategic challenges that are different from those of for-profit organizations (Nutt & Backoff, 1993). These differences arise from the fact that public and not-for-profit organizations must respond to more complex environmental demands and are mandated to pursue a wider set of goals than their for-profit counterparts. However, this does not translate to the notion that these organizations cannot implement quality management practices. It simply means that the employment of quality management principles must be conducted with sensitivity to the complexities faced by organizations in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Nature of Services A discussion of quality management of social services should be grounded in a basic understanding of the nature of production of services. Quality management has its roots in the production of tangible products (Schonberger, 1992) and is now being used to address the issue of producing services. Service production systems are different from product production systems. Edwardson and Gustavsson (1991) asserted that in contrast to the production of goods, the production of services tends to have the following characteristics: * The system of production is less easily controlled. * The customer is more often involved in the production process. * The ability to interact with customers is required. * Consumption and production more often take place at the same time. * Evaluation and consumption more often take place at the same time. Masterson (1991) argued that services provide individuals with two types of opportunities. …

New public management (NPM) has become the mantra for public sector restructuring in OECD nations. We critically examine NPM in the context of recent public sector restructuring initiatives in the province of Ontario, Canada. Two NPM-inspired reform mechanisms employed by the Ontario government—the benchmarking of hospital-utilization indicators and the offloading of a greater share of patient-care responsibilities to the private sector—are examined as they impact on the economically disadvantaged city of Thunder Bay in the province's remote Northwestern region. We argue that the health reforms pursued by the Ontario government are focused on a one-dimensional notion of efficiency which denies important socioeconomic and health-service-environment dimensions that account for local differences in health-services utilization. Although this type of reform approach achieves short-term cost savings, we question whether the longer term effects on health and social services are efficient and equitable from a systemwide perspective. Ultimately, we question whether NPM will solve the problems inherent in publicly supported health and social services or will generate a new set of problems linked to the belief in the primacy of market mechanisms.

Health planning can be a significant influence on the delivery of social services. It has been increasingly characterized by regulation and restriction and, as such, presents both threats and possibilities to social work values and service ideals. Health planning priorities are consonant with social work values and service ideals. Its effect on health facilities and their responses to it, however, could pose threats to social work. On the other hand, health planning can be used to enhance social services as well as better integration of health and social services. The structure and processes of local health planning are described, and areas of social work involvement are suggested.

The article identifies the potential for introducing a system of electronic social services in the context of electronic government development in Ukraine. The definition of an electronic social service as a social service is given, fully or partially provided with the help of social protection institutions online services and the population social services, to individuals, certain social groups who are in difficult life circumstances. It has been determined that the development of modern information use and communication technologies and the Internet already allows the use of various forms of providing and receiving electronic social services, is spreading due to the state policy of public services digitalization ("the state in a smartphone"), among which a special demand is registration in electronic the form of social benefits, benefits, pensions and the like. According to the results obtained, the greatest potential for introduction into the social service system is possessed by social services, psychological online consultations, distance learning and socio-economic services. Among the factors for optimizing the implementation of electronic social services, the most significant identified are the following increases in budget funding, computer population, information support for the introduction of the electronic social services system through social advertising, increasing the level of technical support and access to the Internet.

The article is devoted to the analysis of certain provisions of a new version of the Law of Ukraine «On Social Services» embracing the procedure for delivery of social services through social orders in the context of building a social state in Ukraine. A state with a developed civil society, a high level of social protection for citizens and, in particular, support for vulnerable categories of its population and individuals finding themselves in difficult life circumstances when fighting against the global pandemic of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 and military actions, as well as appropriate provision of social services (including through social orders) in accordance with international quality standards, may be considered as a social state. Ukraine encounters many problems when building a social, lawful and democratic European-style state. The main problem is the world economic crisis that has not bypassed Ukraine and has been going on for a long time. Moreover, Ukraine had to face and fight another «global emergency» – the worldwide pandemic of the acute respiratory disease COVID-19. In addition, a destructive war is still raging on in Ukraine with martial law being imposed within its territory. All these factors have a negative impact on development of the Ukrainian economy and result in decreasing business activity, growth of prices, decreasing wages and number of employees, etc. leading to deterioration in the quality of life of Ukrainians. As a result, we can observe an increasing number of vulnerable categories of the Ukrainian population who find themselves in difficult life circumstances and need social protection, in particular, provision of social services through social orders. The Law of Ukraine «On Social Services» No. 2671-VIII dated January 17, 2019 is the main legislative act dealing with provision of social services through social orders. It does not establish a detailed procedure for providing social services through social orders, however, among others, it contains a separate article 26 covering the main aspects of the procedure for providing social services through social orders (which was absent in a previous version of the said Law), in particular, with respect to financing, deadlines of competitions related to delivery of social services, etc.

IntroductionThe USA lags behind other high-income countries in many health indicators. Outcome differences are associated with differences in the relative spending between healthcare and social services at the national level....

Palliative social work services are essential for addressing the complex psychosocial needs of cancer patients, particularly in resource-constrained areas like Southeast Nigeria. Despite the recognition of social work in palliative care for cancer patients, effective delivery faces significant challenges impacting both social service delivery and patient outcomes. This study investigates the provision of palliative social work services for cancer patients using in-depth interviews with 18 participants (six social workers and twelve cancer patients) from two hospitals in Southeast Nigeria. Participants were purposefully sampled based on their roles in providing or receiving palliative care support. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that social work palliative services encompass psychosocial support, spiritual guidance, and educational resources. However, social workers encounter barriers such as emotional stress, burnout, communication gaps, financial constraints, and socio-cultural factors. The study suggests that regular debriefing sessions and educational programs could improve palliative care delivery. Policy advocacy is recommended to recognize and support the pivotal role of palliative social workers in cancer care. Future research should explore innovative strategies using quantitative methods to overcome barriers and enhance palliative social work effectiveness across diverse cultural and healthcare contexts, ultimately improving social service delivery to cancer patients and advancing social service research.

Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). As such, it aims to contribute to the NIHR's mission of improving the health and wealth of the nation by funding evaluative research projects that have the potential to improve the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services by providing useful outputs for decision-makers, staff, service users, academic, and public audiences. More information about the programme can be found on the NIHR website. A logic model is a visual way of showing how an activity, programme or intervention is expected to work and bring about the benefits and changes it intends to achieve. By summarising the core elements, a logic model can be used to support programme planning, implementation, and evaluation. NIHR logic models presentin a linear flow diagramthe key activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts of each funding programme as a series of logical steps.

The involvement of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in the delivery of a diversity of social welfare services is an important element of various models of a “welfare mix” approach to the transformation of the modern welfare state. According to the concepts of “third party government” and of “nonprofit organizations” of the welfare state such involvement allows to ease budgetary constraints while enhancing the effectiveness and quality of services delivered. This article is aimed at assessing the outlook for SONPOs in the emerging Russian market for social services funded by the state. The authors primarily analyze the vector of transformation of the regulatory and legal framework providing for the participation of SONPOs in the delivery of state funded social services with the aim to assess how strong the interest of the state to diversify the range of service providers in the social sectors is. The analysis of legal norms is combined with a look at empirical data featuring the attitudes of Russian NPO leaders to cooperation with the state in solving social problems which is an indicator of the likely “responsiveness” of the NPO community to government policy aimed at increasing cross-sectoral cooperation in the delivery of social services. Then the authors proceed with investigating the comparative advantages of NPOs as providers of social services in the light of the concepts of cross-sectoral partnership and welfare mix arrangements in the social sphere. In the article an attempt is then made to test or at least to illustrate in the Russian context the likely validity of the comparative advantages of NOPs as prompted by the mentioned concepts rooted in the “third party government” theory. For this purposes sociological data are used, gathered in the course of a long-term NRU HSE project on Monitoring Russian Civil Society. In conclusion the authors formulate several measures necessary to implement in order that Russian SONPOs can take due advantage of the recent innovative regulation and increase their share as providers of social services funded by the state.