Effective Social Participation Research Articles

LEI Nº 8080 E O DIREITO À SAÚDE NO BRASIL: UMA REFLEXÃO CRÍTICA

This research aimed to critically analyze Law No. 8,080/1990 and the impact of this legislation on the realization of the right to health in Brazil, with emphasis on the challenges faced by the Unified Health System (SUS). To achieve this objective, a bibliographic research was carried out, with the review of academic sources, legal documents and institutional reports, allowing a comprehensive analysis of the advances and limitations of the SUS. The research identified that, despite the significant achievements of the Law, such as the universalization of access to health and the creation of a decentralized and equitable system, challenges persist such as inequality in access to health services, especially in poorer and more distant regions, the underfunding of the SUS, the shortage of health professionals and the difficulty of articulation between the different levels of health care. The critical analysis also pointed out that, although decentralized management has the potential to adapt services to local realities, it also leads to inequalities in the quality of care, given the variation in management capacity between states and municipalities. Thus, the research concludes that, despite the advances, it is necessary to strengthen SUS financing, improve public management and ensure effective social participation to overcome inequalities and ensure the full realization of the right to health for all Brazilian citizens.

Sosialisasi Mahasiswa Baru Universitas PGRI Palembang di Kabupaten Ogan Komering Ilir Palembang

Socialization is a general concept which is defined as a process in which we learn to interact with other people, how to act, think and feel, all of which are important in producing effective social participation. This socialization was carried out as a form of the university's efforts to provide information regarding the acceptance of new students. The method used in this community service activity is providing socialization and promotion of all admission routes and study programs at PGRI Palembang University. In this socialization program, information is also provided regarding the new rules for accepting new students through the report card and written selectionroute. in 2024. With this activity, it is hoped that it will be useful for high school students in South Sumatra to be able to choose a major that suits their talents and interests. Apart from socialization activities, introducing the PGRI Palembang University Campus to high school and vocational school students in Ogan Regency Komering Ilir Palembang in this activity also socialized all majors, both undergraduate and postgraduate, for teachers who taught at the high school. As one university, PGRI Palembang University also holds socialization for new student admissions every year.

Managing circular ecosystems in imperfect contexts – the case of extractive fishing in the Brazilian Amazon region

Purpose This study aims to answer the question of how to structure a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the Amazon region. It explores possibilities for implementing a circular ecosystem management model in an imperfect market with low technological availability, high informality and limited public assistance. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative approach was adopted for this paper, with a case study on extractive fishing in the state of Amazonas. Data was collected through 35 interviews and direct observation of the processes of collecting, storing and transporting fish on two routes: Tapauá-Manaus and Manacapuru-Manaus. Findings Through the data collected, it was possible to observe the importance of an orchestrating agent – such as an association or even a public authority – for the establishment and development of a circular ecosystem for extractive fishing in the region. Research limitations/implications The paper makes theoretical contributions by presenting how a circular ecosystem management model could be implemented for an imperfect market in the Global South, as well as contributing to the literature on how the circular economy contributes to mitigate the threat to biodiversity posed by the linear economy. Practical implications It contributes to the management practice of structuring circular ecosystems. Social implications The role of public authorities and the collective organization of fishermen as orchestrators connecting the network of actors that develop the extractive fishing ecosystem is fundamental, guaranteeing effective social participation in solving local problems. Originality/value The idea of circular ecosystems was applied to imperfect contexts, with high informality, weak institutions and bioeconomy, topics still little explored in the literature.

Challenges and opportunities of public space management in Mexico

This paper discusses the opportunities and challenges of public space management (PSM) in the Mexican context by analysing the perspectives of different governance actors. Issues in the PSM literature include ineffective political decisions, prevalence of the private sector, lack of coordination between government institutions, and a need for more effective social participation. While most PSM studies focus on European cities, empirical PSM knowledge in the Latin American context is scarce. To address this gap, this research elucidates the Mexican context by investigating and adapting a PSM framework in Mexico City and Puebla. The case study research is based on qualitative document research and interview analysis from four groups of governance actors: government officials, academics, NGOs, and architecture/urban planning firms. We found multiple PSM challenges: uncoordinated efforts in the maintenance of public space, lack of and polarisation of investment, and privatisation of public space. At the intra-governmental level, the research identified a lack of coordination between government institutions, increasing reliance on the private sector, and limited opportunities for residents to participate in PSM processes. The paper highlights missing links between existing governance actors involved in PSM and wider residents, in the pursuit of the ambitious role of achieving public space quality.

Influence of Customer Participation on Co-Creation Intention of Brand Value under Social Media

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if customer participation has the double-edged sword problem and how it impacts the co-creation intention of brand value under social media. To explore the relationship, we construct a research model from the perspective of value co-creation and cognitive behaviour theory in the context of social media. 385 valid samples were collected through a field questionnaire, and the structural equation model was used to test the research hypotheses. The results indicate that customer participation through social media has a double-edged sword effect, enhancing the perceived prosocial influence, but also causing social media fatigue. Perceived prosocial influence and social media fatigue play a dual mediating effect on the relationship between customer participation and co-creation intention of brand value. Moreover, brand attachment moderates the relationship between perceived prosocial influence and co-creation intention of brand value. Majority of the studies have found that customer participation has positive effect, but a few studies have found that customer participation has a certain “dark side”. This study focuses on the double-edged sword problem of customer participation through social media, as well as its effect on co-creation intention of brand value, thus contribution to the value co-creation theory. This research also analyses the positive effect of perceived prosocial influence and the negative effects of social media fatigue, thus supporting effective social media participation strategies for companies.

Perceptions on Their Own Social Participation: A Qualitative Exploration of Ethiopian Secondary Students with Visual Impairments.

Social participation is a vital part of life and has multifaceted positive outcomes on personal health and wellbeing. Social participation or the lack thereof might have more profound psychological impacts on individuals in a collectivist culture than its counterpart. The current study explored personal and environmental barriers that have hindered the effective social participation of secondary students with visual impairments. Exploration addressed various activities in and outside school settings in Ethiopia and discussed findings in relation to the prevailing cultural orientation. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather qualitative data on barriers to social participation of 17 secondary students with visual impairments in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The qualitative data were analysed thematically, yielding four major themes and identifying twenty sub-themes that limited the social participation of students with visual impairments, such as personal, attitudinal, sociocultural, and practical barriers. The study showed a range of barriers that participants experienced related to social participation, the criticality of cultural orientation in providing context to understand the impacts of social participation, and the need for future research in the area.

Social participation of children with intellectual disabilities in inclusive sport: Practical implications for physical education.

The UN-CRPD has improved inclusion in sport for people with intellectual disabilities, yet this group remains marginalized and faces discrimination and exclusion in sport (Steiger et al., 2021). Although research in this area has increased, there is little empirical evidence of the effectiveness of inclusive settings or of factors that promote success. This study aims to analyse the social participation of children with intellectual disabilities in mainstream schooling and club sports, and the factors influencing this participation. This knowledge is key to the development of effective social participation of people with intellectual disabilities in inclusive schools and sports clubs. Applying the framework of Koster et al. (2009), a sample of 1,884 students (132 with intellectual disabilities) from 109 school classes (3rd to 6th grade) in 13 Swiss German-speaking cantons completed a standardised questionnaire composed of established instruments. Multi-level analysis reveals that the level of social participation depends on experienced social contacts and interactions, established relationships, and received social acceptance and perception. The overall effectiveness of participation of those with intellectual disabilities is consistently lower than that of non-disabled peers. Nevertheless, cases with high levels of participation were also observed. Influential factors are at a structural level, such as the design of lessons, trainer and teacher competencies, group climate, school and club conditions, as well as at an individual level such as children and trainer attitudes and competencies. Specific understanding of these factors supports practitioners to more effectively develop inclusive sport settings. Good practice that actively promotes inclusion in physical education classes includes individualization measures at various levels such as task difficulty and duration, individual assistance, and the use of adapted learning materials. These measures all aim to deepen student participation according to individual competencies.

A Case Study of Research Skills of Primary School Students

This study intended to examine and evaluate the opinions of classroom teachers about students’ research skills at primary school. By using the case study method, one of the qualitative research designs, the research was conducted with a group of 20 classroom teachers who were determined through purposeful sampling. A semi-structured interview form was used as the data collection tool, and the data were analyzed using the content analysis method. According to the results of the study, classroom teachers defined the concept of research skills as a way to learn information, the effort to discover topics that awaken curiosity, and the process to recognize and solve a problem, as well as acting willingly, participating, questioning, and showing improvement. The teachers reported that the research skills of the primary school students were insufficient at the course levels and partially sufficient at the grade levels. Although the classroom teachers primarily used visual, technology-supported tools and inquiry-based strategies in research skills training, they believed that students' research skills were not fully developed. To develop research skills, the student should take part actively in the process. At the same time, the teacher should be a role model, bring interesting and entertaining activities to the classroom, and employ appropriate teaching methods and materials that will support research skills. As a result of the research, the teachers made the recommendations of increasing the technological facilities and resources of the school, encouraging students to conduct research according to their interests and abilities, supporting student autonomy, encouraging effective social participation, ensuring that the family environment and the teacher attitude is supportive to the child, conducting research on current issues, providing sufficient time for research, and assessing the behavioral aspects of research skills besides theoretical information at the end of the year.

Should Consistent Command-Following Be Added to the Criteria for Emergence From the Minimally Conscious State?

ObjectiveTo determine whether consistent command-following (CCF) should be added to the diagnostic criteria for emergence from the minimally conscious state (eMCS). DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingInpatient rehabilitation hospital. ParticipantsPatients (N=214) with acquired brain injury resulting in disorders of consciousness (DoC) admitted to a specialized rehabilitation program. Main Outcome MeasuresDifference between time to recovery of CCF and time to recovery of functional object use (FOU) or functional communication (FC), the 2 existing criteria for eMCS as measured by the Coma Recovery Scale–Revised (CRS-R). ResultsOf 214 patients (median age, 53 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 34-66 years], male: 134 [62.6%], traumatic etiology: 115 [53.7%], admission CRS-R total score: 10 [IQR, 7-13]) admitted to rehabilitation without CCF, FOU, or FC, 162 (75.7%) recovered CCF and FOU or FC during the 8-week observation period. On average, recovery of CCF, FOU, and FC was observed within 1 day of one another, approximately 46 days (IQR, 38.25-58 days) post injury. One hundred and sixteen patients (71.6%) recovered FOU or FC prior to or at the same time as CCF. ConclusionsIn patients recovering from DoC, CCF reemerges around the same time as FOU and FC. This finding may reflect the shared dependency of these behaviors on cognitive processes (eg, language comprehension, attention, motor control) that are essential for effective interpersonal interaction and social participation. Our results support the addition of CCF to the existing diagnostic criteria for eMCS, but further validation in an independent sample should be conducted.

Patterns of the Social Approach to Health in Selected Countries and Iran: A Comparative Study

Background : The complexity of health and the role of its relevant socioeconomic factors have led countries to adopt new approaches to promote health, including the socialization of health. This comparative study aimed at examining the patterns of the social approach to health in 9 selected countries. Methods: Using the scoping review method, we collected the data by searching published articles in databases and the websites of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Bank. A total of 66 articles were included in the study based on the PRISMA protocol. Results : The thematic analysis showed that the most efficient model among middle-income countries was the one that consisted of good governance, effective social participation, and empowerment of mothers and children. The study findings also revealed that considering social welfare, governance, social participation, empowerment, and health literacy, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Cuba had the highest scores among the selected countries, respectively. We define socialization of health as public engagement in maintaining and promoting individual and social and psychological health in the society, a part of which is achieved through community-based medical education. Conclusion : In Iran, the centralized structure of the health system and inadequate transparency and accountability of the government have led to restricted public participation and poor intersectoral collaboration. We propose empowering civil society, setting up free political parties, and implementing the family medicine project as an effective policy for improving the socialization of health to achieve sustainable development goals in Iran.

Factors leading to effective social participation promotion interventions for people with intellectual disability: a protocol for a systematic review

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disabilities have been historically excluded from decision-making processes. Previous literature indicates that increasing social participation may be an effective way to address this exclusion, but no systematic review of interventions designed to increase social participation of people with intellectual disabilities have been conducted. This study aims to identify and organize the factors associated with interventions that increase the social participation of people with intellectual disabilities and to provide a set of best of practices for future interventions.Methods/designThe databases Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and PubMed will be searched for articles from January 2004 onwards; grey literature search will be identified through searching additional databases (such as Google Scholar and EBSCO databases). Randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled trials, and controlled pre–post studies will be included. Noncontrolled pre–post studies will also be included. Observational or qualitative studies will be excluded. The primary outcomes are measures of social participation. Secondary outcomes include measures of well-being, stigma, knowledge about rights, and advocacy processes. Two reviewers will independently screen articles, extract relevant data, and assess the quality of the studies. We will provide a meta-analysis of included studies if possible, or a quantitative narrative synthesis otherwise.DiscussionThis systematic review will add to our understanding of effective social participation interventions for people with intellectual disability. It will allow us to identify and organize which factors lead to an increase in social participation and help us define a set of best practices to be followed by future interventions.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020189093

Fóruns de Educação: resistências, limites e possibilidades de atuação no contexto da Pandemia da COVID-19

O artigo busca refletir sobre a instituição Fórum de Educação, suas competências, limites e possibilidades no contexto da luta de classes que se estabelece no campo das políticas educacionais. Tomando como referência o materialismo histórico dialético contextualiza-se o processo recente de disputas em torno da política nacional de educação, em que o Plano Nacional de Educação, o Fórum Nacional de Educação e as Conferências de Educação ganham centralidade, enquanto instâncias onde se materializa a luta de classe por distintos projetos de educação e sociedade. Na análise, são tomados como referências concretas os Fóruns Municipais de Educação do Tocantins, enquanto elementos do processo centralização-descentralização das políticas públicas educacionais em âmbito nacional, estadual e municipal. As considerações finais apontam que no contexto da Pandemia da COVID-19, a agenda conservadora e neoliberal desponta com mais força, revelando os interesses do poder econômico das instituições financeiras, aliando a mídia com o mercado, impondo uma pauta ultraconservadora e uma agenda política em plano internacional, que representa novos desafios para o campo progressista, na organização de um plano de lutas em defesa da educação pública, que não pode dispensar a efetiva participação social na conformação de uma agenda orientada para garantir o direito à educação para todos.
 Palavras-chave: fóruns de educação, planos de educação, conferências de educação, luta de classes.
 
 Education Forums: resistance, limits and possibilities of action in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
 ABSTRACT. The article seeks to reflect on the Education Forum institution, its competences, limits and possibilities in the context of the class struggle that is established in the field of educational policies. Taking dialectical historical materialism as a reference, a recent process of disputes around the national education policy is contextualized, in which the National Education Plan, the National Education Forum and the Education Conferences gain centrality, as instances where the struggle takes place of class by different projects of education and society. In the analysis, the Municipal Education Forums of Tocantins are taken as concrete references, as elements of the centralization-decentralization process of educational public policies at the national, state and municipal levels. The final considerations point out that in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the conservative and neoliberal agenda emerges with more force, revealing the interests of the economic power of financial institutions, allying the media with the market, imposing an ultra-conservative agenda and a political agenda in international plan, which represents new challenges for the progressive field, in the organization of a plan of struggles in defense of public education, which cannot dispense with effective social participation in shaping an agenda aimed at guaranteeing the right to education for all.
 Keywords: education forums, education plans, education conferences, class struggle.
 
 Foros de Educación: resistencias, límites y posibilidades de acción en el contexto de la Pandemia del COVID-19
 RESUMEN. El artículo busca reflexionar sobre la institución Foro de Educación, sus competencias, límites y posibilidades en el contexto de la lucha de clases que se establece en el campo de las políticas educativas. Tomando como referencia el materialismo histórico dialéctico, se contextualiza un proceso reciente de disputas en torno a la política educativa nacional, en el que el Plan Nacional de Educación, el Foro Nacional de Educación y las Conferencias de Educación adquieren centralidad, como instancias donde se desarrolla la lucha. De clase por diferentes proyectos de educación y sociedad. En el análisis, los Foros Municipales de Educación de Tocantins se toman como referentes concretos, como elementos del proceso de centralización-descentralización de las políticas públicas educativas a nivel nacional, estatal y municipal. Las consideraciones finales señalan que en el contexto de la Pandemia COVID-19, la agenda conservadora y neoliberal emerge con más fuerza, revelando los intereses del poder económico de las instituciones financieras, aliando a los medios con el mercado, imponiendo una agenda ultraconservadora. y una agenda política en plan internacional, que representa nuevos desafíos para el campo progresista, en la organización de un plan de luchas en defensa de la educación pública, que no puede prescindir de una participación social efectiva en la conformación de una agenda orientada a garantizar el derecho a la educación para todos.
 Palabras clave: foros de educación, planes de educación, conferencias de educación, lucha de clases.

Juízes, moleiros e Constituição

Esse artigo desenvolve uma perspectiva crítica para as instituições judiciais. A problemática consiste em questionar se a existência de juízas e juízes protege adequadamente interesses individuais. A hipótese testada considera inviável equiparar de maneira direta e necessária existência judicial e proteção individual. Para tanto, elege-se a revisão bibliográfica enquanto meio para fornecer dados para destacar alguns aspectos de ordem normativa e de composição institucional do Judiciário brasileiro. Portanto, a concepção de constituição radical é condição necessária, mas insuficiente para a compreensão dos fenômenos analisados. Os resultados obtidos com a realização da pesquisa sugerem a superação da desconfiança em relação a atuação social, contudo, verificam-se dificuldades de constatação e operacionalização da participação social efetiva. Conclui-se pela impossibilidade de associar a existência de juízas e juízes à proteção de direitos e de garantias fundamentais; novamente, necessários, porém insuficientes.

Social Participation in Forest Restoration Projects: Insights from a National Assessment in Mexico

Ecosystem restoration is gaining momentum worldwide, but restoration projects frequently fall short of addressing the human dimension, notably through the involvement of local people. While social participation has been recognized to have a fundamental role in the success and sustainability of forest management projects, it is frequently not incorporated into restoration project planning. We gathered responses from a national assessment program regarding the status of terrestrial restoration projects in Mexico. We found that most of these projects were limited to the use of a local short-term work force in tree planting activities and were designed to alleviate short term local socioeconomic tensions, indicating that effective social participation is not well understood by managers.

La participation sociale à l’association des paralysés de France : participation aux activités ou participation aux décisions ?

In line with public policies, the French Association of Paralyzed People (APF) promotes the social participation of people with disabilities. This objective can be achieved both through participation in activities and participation in decision-making processes. This dual categorisation raises questions about the compatibility of logics of support and program objectives across these two facets of participation. Arising from work conducted in the context of a PhD dissertation, this article is based on document analysis and 49 in-depth interviews with employees, volunteers, members and users of the APF. The results highlight a tension, from the point of view of professional supports, between participation in activities and participation in decision-making. For the sake of swift and tangible results, professionals are encouraged to offer activities and services to achieve faster and more effective social participation. However, this places them in a complex, or even inextricable, position when it comes to enhancing users’ participation in decision-making.

THE SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN BULGARIA AND THE PROCESS OF DEINSTITUTIONALISATION OF CHILDREN

Development of social services in Bulgaria is predetermined by the policies of last decades of the last century and is characterized by a number of features arising from the difficult transition to a market economy and modern challenges of dynamic social and economic environment. Social services are activities targeted at supporting assisted persons to conduct a complete way of life and full inclusion in society. Social services are aimed mainly at social integration of people, giving them the opportunity to lead an independent life and not to be dependent on the service or the institution. Development of social services in community is the key to effective social inclusion, poverty alleviation and participation in society of all vulnerable groups. In recent years, policy in the sphere of social services in Bulgaria is directed to development of services in community and home to replace the institutional model of care. Planning and implementation of national policy of reforms in child care is directly related to children at risk and better recognition of their problems and needs. Purposeful activities are carried out and programs are being implemented to achieve one of the main objectives of this policy - deinstitutionalization of children. Based on European practices and models activities and methods of child care are successfully realized. Presented study on the development of social services for children, with a special emphasis on deinstitutionalization, makes analyses of the system of social services for children as set in main strategic documents and statistical data. The aim is to identify key processes, trends and issues and to make recommendations for policy improvements. Main results emphasize that in order to achieve the desired effects new approaches and measures are needed in application of running strategies. Main recommendations are defined for implementation of social policies for children and a conceptual framework of child care is proposed. It is important and necessary to develop a policy that will not only offer appropriate care for children at risk in the short term, but will also to prevent possible problems in the future .

The System of Social Services in Bulgaria and the Process of Deinstitutionalisation of Children

Development of social services in Bulgaria is predetermined by the policies of last decades of the last century and is characterized by a number of features arising from the difficult transition to a market economy and modern challenges of dynamic social and economic environment. Social services are activities targeted at supporting assisted persons to conduct a complete way of life and full inclusion in society. Social services are aimed mainly at social integration of people, giving them the opportunity to lead an independent life and not to be dependent on the service or the institution. Development of social services in community is the key to effective social inclusion, poverty alleviation and participation in society of all vulnerable groups. In recent years, policy in the sphere of social services in Bulgaria is directed to development of services in community and home to replace the institutional model of care. Planning and implementation of national policy of reforms in child care is directly related to children at risk and better recognition of their problems and needs. Purposeful activities are carried out and programs are being implemented to achieve one of the main objectives of this policy - deinstitutionalization of children. Based on European practices and models activities and methods of child care are successfully realized. Presented study on the development of social services for children, with a special emphasis on deinstitutionalization, makes analyses of the system of social services for children as set in main strategic documents and statistical data. The aim is to identify key processes, trends and issues and to make recommendations for policy improvements. Main results emphasize that in order to achieve the desired effects new approaches and measures are needed in application of running strategies. Main recommendations are defined for implementation of social policies for children and a conceptual framework of child care is proposed. It is important and necessary to develop a policy that will not only offer appropriate care for children at risk in the short term, but will also to prevent possible problems in the future.

Autoritarismo y participación: el pensamiento político de Jaime Guzmán

The subject of this paper is to deep in the way that Guzmán planned to make effective social participation in an authoritarian context like Pinochet's Chile (1973-1990). We will see how Guzmán considered civil participation as an essential requirement in order to get a modern democracy which would be opened in Chile after the military dictatorship. He supported this idea through the concepts of subsidiarity State and liberal economy policy.

(Deinstitutionalisation of Children As Part of the Development of Social Services in Bulgaria)

Bulgarian Abstract: Развитието на социалните услуги в България е предопределено от следваните политики от последните десетилетия на миналия век и се характеризира с ред особености, породени от трудния преход към пазарна икономика, както и от съвременните предизвикателства на динамичната социална и икономическа среда. Социалните услуги са дейности, насочени към подкрепа на подпомаганите лица за водене на пълноценен начин на живот и пълноценно включване в обществото. Социалните услуги целят основно социалната интеграция на лицата, като им се предоставя възможност да водят самостоятелен начин на живот, а не да бъдат зависими от услугата, респективно институцията. Развитието на социалните услуги в общността е ключов фактор за ефективно социално включване, борбата с бедността и участието в живота на обществото на всички уязвими групи. През последните години политиката в сферата на социалните услуги в България е насочена към развитие на услуги в общността и в домашна среда, които да заменят институционалния модел на грижа.Планирането и реализирането на националната политика за реформа в грижата за детето е пряко свързана с и за децата в риск и познаваща добре техните проблеми и потребности. Целенасочено се провеждат дейности и реализират програми за постигане на една от основните цели на тази политика - деинституционализация на децата. Базирайки се на европейски практики и модели, успешно се реализират дейности и се прилагат методи за грижа за детето. Представеното проучване на развитието на социалните услуги за деца с акцент върху деинституционализацията на деца анализира системата на социални услуги за деца, заложена в основните стратегически документи и статистически данни. Целта е да се идентифицират основните процеси, тенденции и проблеми и да се направят препоръки за подобрения в политиките. Основните резултати подчертават, че за да бъдат постигнати желаните ефекти са необходими нови подходи и мерки в приложение на действащите стратегии. Дефинирани са основни препоръки за изпълнение на социалните политики за деца и е изведена концептуална рамка на грижата за деца. Важно и необходимо е да се развива политика, която не само ще предложи подходяща грижа за децата в риск в краткосрочен план, но и ще предотврати възможни проблеми в бъдеще. English Abstract: Development of social services in Bulgaria is predetermined by the policies of last decades of the last century and is characterized by a number of features arising from the difficult transition to a market economy and modern challenges of dynamic social and economic environment. Social services are activities targeted at supporting assisted persons to conduct a complete way of life and full inclusion in society. Social services are aimed mainly at social integration of people, giving them the opportunity to lead an independent life and not to be dependent on the service or the institution. Development of social services in community is the key to effective social inclusion, poverty alleviation and participation in society of all vulnerable groups. In recent years, policy in the sphere of social services in Bulgaria is directedto development of services in community and home to replace the institutional model of care. Planning and implementation of national policy of reforms in child care is directly related to children at risk and better recognition of their problems and needs. Purposeful activities are carried out and programs are being implemented to achieve one of the main objectives of this policy - deinstitutionalization of children. Based on European practices and models activities and methods of child care are successfully realized. Presented study on the development of social services for children, with a special emphasis on deinstitutionalization,makes analyses of the system of social services for children as set in main strategic documents and statistical data. The aim is to identify key processes, trends and issues and to make recommendations for policy improvements. Main results emphasize that in order to achieve the desired effects new approaches and measures are needed in application of running strategies. Main recommendations are defined for implementation of social policies for children and a conceptual framework of child care is proposed. It is important and necessary to develop a policy that will not only offer appropriate care for children at risk in the short term, but will also to prevent possible problems in the future.

Contracts and capabilities: public service interpreting and third sector domestic violence services

ABSTRACTThis article evaluates the role played by professional and non-professional volunteer interpreters in the care trajectories and institutional itineraries of survivors of domestic abuse in the third sector and is informed by Martha C. Nussbaum’s capabilities approach to contractarian theory. Reporting on a case study involving an organisation in the North West of England, it sheds light on how interpreter provision supports survivors in converting capabilities into effective social participation, and the extent to which survivors are able to influence the initial contract position in relation to language services provision. It finds that rather than being used as a replacement for professional interpreting, nonprofessional volunteer interpreters support survivors in ways that help them to achieve a range of service outcomes. Further, it finds that the evolving contractual relation places demands on professional interpreters to limit their role in interaction as the service user prepares to move on independently. I conclude that the capabilities approach provides a useful theoretical lens for examining service user empowerment in multilingual service spaces, especially in light of recently observed failings in rights-based approaches to interpreting and translation provision. The approach widens the debate about what constitutes socially responsible language services provision in this setting.