It was held in Banská Bystrica on November 30, 2012, under the auspices of the chairman of the Banská Bystrica self-governing region, Ing. Vladimíra Maňka, professional conference Quality of social services and introduction of standards in the Slovak Republic.
The topic of the quality of social services and the introduction of standards in the Slovak Republic provokes discussions. The public asks about quality and standards especially if a serious problem arises in the provision of services with serious or tragic consequences. In the latest amendment to the Act on Social Services, the assessment of quality in social service facilities was moved only from 1 January 2016. However, social service providers are confronted with the demands of clients and the public to present the quality and standards of the services provided. The public points out that the quality of the services provided is not the same. However, there is no quality measure by which social service providers can be evaluated. Social service providers have a sincere desire to provide high-quality social services to the satisfaction of their clients and their family members. A necessary condition for the introduction of quality assessment and standards is that the state ensures sufficient financing of social services. The introduction of quality and standards is directly related to sufficient funding. Providers must have enough resources to finance all costs related to the provision of social services, in order to be able to meet the requirements of the clients themselves, but also of the local government and the state.
It is necessary that definitions of social service standards be adopted at the national level, according to the types of services provided, which will determine the minimum conditions for ensuring hygiene, food, and accommodation. In addition to these measurable parameters, providers must also prepare for a change in approach to clients. Respect for the individuality and personal needs of clients is also a measure of quality. Changing the paternalistic approach to clients is essential. Providers must respect the client's personal wishes and his opinion on the scope and time of services provided or participation in activation exercises.
In direct connection with the introduction of standards, it is necessary to define which services the provider should provide to the client without payment in the event that the financing was provided by the municipality in the form of contributions.
In this process, it is necessary for the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic to take over the leadership. For this purpose, we recommend that a special working committee be established to prepare quality standards with the participation of recipients of social services, providers of social services (public and non-public), local government, civic associations representing seniors, and the like.
Source: Association of Social Service Providers of the Slovak Republic www.apssvsr.org