Archive Issue
International Interdisciplinary Scientific Journal "Expert"
Volume 1, Issue 5 (2024)
Language of the original article: English
ABSTRACT. This article examines the development of social services in Bulgaria after 2002, with an emphasis on decentralization and deinstitutionalization as key processes for the transformation of the system. It analyses the main reforms introduced through new legislation, including the Social Services Act (2019), and their impact on the accessibility, quality and efficiency of services provided. Special attention is paid to the role of municipalities and private providers in providing social support, as well as the transition from institutional care to home- and community-based services. The study highlights the significant progress in increasing the number and capacity of day and residential care units, but also identifies critical challenges such as uneven distribution of services, lack of resources and lack of sustainability of project-based initiatives. It also discusses good practices related to the integrated approach and the need for more effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. In conclusion, the paper offers recommendations for the future development of social services, including expanding capacity, improving the quality of care and introducing innovative models of support. This study provides valuable insights for improving the social system in Bulgaria in order to more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable groups and improve quality of life.Key words: social services, decentralization, deinstitutionalization, integrated care, social inclusion.
References
1.Mihova, G. (2019). Policies for the elderly in the perspectives of population ageing. In The challenge of population ageing: Trends, consequences, policies. Sofia: Slavena Publishing House.2.Shopov, G., & Ivanov, S. (2011). Financing social services in the community – international experience, Bulgarian practice, opportunities for change. Economic Studies, 4, 57–93.
3.Agency for Social Assistance, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria. (n.d.). Goals and activity reports. Retrieved from https://asp.government.bg/bg/za-agentsiyata/misiya-i-tseli/otcheti-i-dokladi/
4.Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria. (2021). Ethical code of employees providing social services (Annex to Order No. RD-06-45 of 28.05.2021). Retrieved from https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/35/sv/etichen-kodeks-slujiteli-su-2021-pdf.pdf
5.Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Bulgaria. (2024, February 9). Social services for almost 170,000 users included in the draft of the National Map. Retrieved from https://www.mlsp.government.bg/sotsialni-uslugi-za-pochti-170-000-potrebiteli-sa-vklyucheni-v-proekta-na-natsionalna-karta
6.Institute for Market Economics. (2022). IME report: Social services to support the elderly – Overview of social services by types, districts, and municipalities (latest data – end of 2021). Retrieved from https://ime.bg/var/images/ElderlyCare_FINAL.pdf
© 2024 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Vazova, T. (2024). ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN BULGARIA: IMPACT OF DECENTRALIZATION AND DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION. International Interdisciplinary Scientific Journal "Expert", 1(5), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.62034/2815-5300/2024-v1-i5-006
Citation Format APA
Vazova, T. (2024). ACCESSIBILITY AND QUALITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN BULGARIA: IMPACT OF DECENTRALIZATION AND DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION. International Interdisciplinary Scientific Journal "Expert", 1(5), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.62034/2815-5300/2024-v1-i5-006.
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