Social services

The provision of education services is an example of a social service. For more, see Public Education.
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Social services are a range of public services intended to provide support and assistance towards particular groups, which commonly include the disadvantaged.[1] They may be provided by individuals, private and independent organizations, or administered by a government agency.[1] Social services are connected with the concept of welfare and the welfare state, as countries with large welfare programs often provide a wide range of social services.[2] Social services are employed to address the wide range of needs of a society.[2] Prior to industrialisation, the provision of social services was largely confined to private organisations and charities, with the extent of its coverage also limited.[3] Social services are now generally regarded globally as a 'necessary function' of society and a mechanism through which governments may address societal issues.[4]

The provision of social services by governments is linked to the belief of universal human rights, democratic principles, as well as religious and cultural values.[5] The availability and coverage of social services varies significantly within societies.[6][4] The main groups which social services is catered toward are: families, children, youths, elders, women, the sick, and the disabled.[4] Social services consists of facilities and services such as: public education, welfare, infrastructure, mail, libraries, social work, food banks, universal health care, police, fire services, public transport and public housing.[7][2]

  1. ^ a b "EUROPEAN SOCIAL SERVICES". scholar.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  2. ^ a b c Seekings, Jeremy; Nattrass, Nicoli (2015), "The Welfare State, Public Services and the 'Social Wage'", Developmental Pathways to Poverty Reduction, London: Palgrave Macmillan UK, pp. 162–184, doi:10.1057/9781137452696_7, ISBN 978-1-349-56904-5, retrieved 2021-06-02
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