Towards the consolidation of pilot initiatives for service integration: an exploratory study based on three notable cases in Spain
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26754/ojs_ais/ais.20264812513Keywords:
Service integration, Social services, Governance, Leadership, SustainabilityAbstract
Service integration constitutes a fundamental strategy in the reconfiguration of contemporary welfare states under the social investment paradigm. These initiatives are proposed as a response to the structural fragmentation between social protection systems, a phenomenon identified as one of the main causes of their ineffectiveness. The relevance of this integrative approach takes on particular importance in the field of social services, a sector facing growing pressure due to the increase and intensification of current social risks.
In Spain, various innovative service integration initiatives have been implemented in which the social services system, coordinated with sectors such as employment, health and care, plays a central role. However, although these initiatives have been successful, they face significant obstacles in moving beyond the experimental phase and becoming permanently established.
This exploratory study aims to analyse the structural and operational factors that are key to the transition from technical experimentation to definitive institutionalisation within public social protection systems. To this end, a comparative analysis of three notable experiences of integrated care is carried out, examining them from the perspective of governance, leadership, funding and the care model.
The study’s findings reveal critical factors that determine the sustainability of these initiatives. These include difficulties in securing funding, the complexity of scaling up intervention models, coordination with existing programmes, and the need for strong government leadership.
This analysis aims to contribute to an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the process of service integration, providing some valuable insights for the formulation of such initiatives in the future.
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