Report of a project aiming to review existing work on social services integration across Europe, concentrating on its benefits for the most vulnerable groups and the strengthening of social cohesion, and to develop policy guidelines. In the report, social services refers to personal social services provided for individuals related to their specific needs and circumstances, and the term integration applies to a range of approaches or methods for achieving greater coordination and effectiveness between services to achieve improved outcomes of the service users. It discusses benefits of integrating social services with services such as health and of disintegration of social services, looks at research on theoretical and evidence-based approaches to integration of social services, and reviews models for integrating social and health services, identifying the main barriers to integration. It sets out approaches to integration of social services across selected European countries, and includes policy guidelines for the design and implementation of integrated models of social services.
Report of a project aiming to review existing work on social services integration across Europe, concentrating on its benefits for the most vulnerable groups and the strengthening of social cohesion, and to develop policy guidelines. In the report, social services refers to personal social services provided for individuals related to their specific needs and circumstances, and the term integration applies to a range of approaches or methods for achieving greater coordination and effectiveness between services to achieve improved outcomes of the service users. It discusses benefits of integrating social services with services such as health and of disintegration of social services, looks at research on theoretical and evidence-based approaches to integration of social services, and reviews models for integrating social and health services, identifying the main barriers to integration. It sets out approaches to integration of social services across selected European countries, and includes policy guidelines for the design and implementation of integrated models of social services.
Subject terms:
integrated services, policy, social services, social care provision, health care;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Europe, Iceland, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom
Journal of Integrated Care, 27(1), 2019, pp.73-82.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: As a result of demographic changes, older people are increasingly living at home, with multi-morbidity and complex care needs. This calls for enhanced integration of homecare nursing and social services. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical collaboration, scope and impact of integration from the perspective of staff in a setting identified as fully integrated. Design/methodology/approach: In this qualitative study, data consisted of interviews with managers and care workers in social services and homecare nursing (n=14) in daily clinical collaboration, followed by five focus group discussions (n=28). Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: Although the homecare services studied were ostensibly fully integrated, the study showed that the process of integration was incomplete. Interdisciplinary coordination between nursing and social services team managers was described as strong and efficient, but weaknesses were identified in collaboration between care workers. They lacked acquaintance with one another, opportunities for communication and knowledge of the contribution of members of other teams. They felt unclear about their own role in coordinated teamwork and lacked a shared vision. Originality/value: This paper’s originality lies in the model of integrated care studied and its focus on actual care practices. The findings highlight that integration does not automatically permeate between different levels of service. Time and space must be allowed for conversations between health and social service teams to promote integration.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: As a result of demographic changes, older people are increasingly living at home, with multi-morbidity and complex care needs. This calls for enhanced integration of homecare nursing and social services. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical collaboration, scope and impact of integration from the perspective of staff in a setting identified as fully integrated. Design/methodology/approach: In this qualitative study, data consisted of interviews with managers and care workers in social services and homecare nursing (n=14) in daily clinical collaboration, followed by five focus group discussions (n=28). Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: Although the homecare services studied were ostensibly fully integrated, the study showed that the process of integration was incomplete. Interdisciplinary coordination between nursing and social services team managers was described as strong and efficient, but weaknesses were identified in collaboration between care workers. They lacked acquaintance with one another, opportunities for communication and knowledge of the contribution of members of other teams. They felt unclear about their own role in coordinated teamwork and lacked a shared vision. Originality/value: This paper’s originality lies in the model of integrated care studied and its focus on actual care practices. The findings highlight that integration does not automatically permeate between different levels of service. Time and space must be allowed for conversations between health and social service teams to promote integration.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
home care, integrated care, integrated services, qualitative research, attitudes, nursing, social services, adult social care;