Social Policy in Denmark
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SOCIAL POLICY IN DENMARK Published by The Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration COLOPHON By The Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration December 2011 ISBN: 978-87-7546-281-0 Illustrations: Mikael Schlosser. Michael Daugaard. Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration Holmens Kanal 22 1060 København K Tel: + 45 33 92 93 00 2 SOCIAL POLICY IN DENMARK CONTENTS Introduction ........................................ 4 Attendance .................................17 Aids and Consumer Durables ..................17 A Welfare Society for Everyone - Today and Tomorrow .... 5 Support Granted to the Purchase of a Car ........17 Adaptations to the Home ......................17 The General Framework of General schemes ............................17 Social Policy in Denmark ............................. 6 Residential Accommodation ......................17 Shared Responsibilities ...........................7 Local Government Responsibilities ..............8 Socially Marginalised Adults ......................... 18 Differences in Local Service Level ...............9 Initiatives for Drug Addicts ........................18 Supervision and Complaints Initiatives for the Homeless .......................19 Procedure in the Social Field ...................9 Initiatives for the Mentally Ill ......................20 Supervision of Municipal Authorities Changing People’s Attitudes Towards by State Administrations .......................9 the Inclusive Labour Market ......................20 The Parliamentary Ombudsman. 9 Economic Framework ............................9 Elderly People ..................................... 22 Activating and Preventive Measures ............23 Voluntary Social Organisations ....................... 11 Preventive House Calls .......................23 Care for Dependent Elderly People .................24 Child and Family Policy ............................. 12 Personal and Practical Help (Home Care) ........24 Day-care ......................................13 Free Choice of Provider .......................24 Special Support to Children, Young People and Training. .24 their Families ..................................14 People with Dementia ........................24 Children With Disabilities or Suffering Caring for Terminal Patients ...................24 from Serious Illness – Financial Assistance .........14 Housing for Elderly People .......................24 Reimbursement of Extra Costs to Senior Citizen’s Councils .........................25 Parents with Disabled Children ................14 Lost Wages. 14 Housing .......................................... 26 Daily Cash Benefits in Connection with Pregnancy, Social Housing .................................26 Maternity and Adoption ..........................15 Financing Public Housing .....................27 Management of Social Housing ................27 Disabled People ................................... 16 Tenants ....................................27 Services .......................................16 Family Housing ..............................27 Advisory and Counselling Services ..............16 Housing for Elderly People ....................27 Support for Necessary Extra Costs .............17 Housing for Young People .....................28 Personal Help and Care Services ...............17 Socially Deprived Areas .......................28 Citizen-controlled Personal Assistance (BPA) ....17 Substitute or Respite Services .................17 Addresses ........................................ 29 3 INTRODUCTION How is social welfare policy organised in Den- mark? How is it financed? What role does local government play? What is done for families with children, elderly people, people with disabilities and people who are in special need? This booklet provides answers to these ques- tions by outlining Danish social welfare policy – including the general framework for and status of individual professional areas. 4 A WELFARE SOCIETY FOR EVERYONE - TODAY AND TOMORROW In Denmark, the welfare society’s offers are The number of elderly people will be increas- generally available to all citizens, and the public ing - and although the majority will probably be sector is required to deliver services of high in good health, there will be a greater need for quality. Elderly people and people with disabili- long-term care and health care services for this ties need adequate care and support, children part of the population. However, an increasing need attention and challenges, and patients in number of employees in the public sector is hospitals need proper treatment in due time. not a viable way of dealing with the pressure of Much of the credit for Denmark’s present expectations, quite simply because the number position as a wealthy and safe country without of persons engaged in active employment is major social tensions can be ascribed to a well- decreasing. Every fourth public sector employee developed public sector. will retire within the next 10 years. At the same time, the small young generations entering A sustainable welfare society is founded on a the labour market in the coming years means platform of sound government finances, high relatively fewer citizens of working age. employment rates and a well-functioning labour market, coupled with an efficient and This requires innovation and creativity in the well-operating public sector. However, public public sectors in order to meet the citizens’ services face a great challenge in the years growing expectations for the welfare society in ahead. On the one hand, citizens expect ser- the future. vices of still higher quality in parallel with grow- ing prosperity and resources for higher private Equal opportunities for all are instrumental for consumption. On the other hand, citizens expect maintaining a socially coherent welfare society. to be able to choose the offer that suits their own specific needs and situations. 5 THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF SOCIAL POLICY IN DENMARK The social system is characterised by the fol- • Local community approach. The social The Danish welfare model is lowing principles: sector is organised with a high degree of based on the principle that all decentralisation of social responsibilities • Universalism. All citizens in need are to local government. citizens shall be guaranteed entitled to receive social security benefits • Local scope of action. Local authorities certain fundamental rights and social services – regardless of their and regions have wide autonomy when in case they encounter social affiliation to the labour market. implementing the various social protec- problems such as unemploy- • Tax financing. Social security benefits and tion schemes. ment, sickness or dependency. social services are mainly financed from • User influence. Citizens and claimants general taxation. must be involved in the organisation of a • Public responsibility. The public sector social protection programme. is responsible for the provision of social • Comprehensive view. The citizen’s social security benefits and social services. problems and his or her situation must be • Possibilities of labour market affiliation. seen in a broader context. Improved services for children, depend- • Cooperation with other social players. ent elderly persons and disabled people The public sector co-operates with private contribute to interconnecting family life companies and voluntary social organisa- with working life. tions to promote social welfare. • Active social measures. Social protection measures must be active – rather than merely passive support and maintenance. 6 SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES Denmark has divided its welfare tasks between attention of local authorities to special target various ministries: the Ministry of Social Affairs groups and useful methods. Danish social policy involves: and Integration, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Hence, in Denmark the local authorities have • Extended care and service functions. Children and Education. However, it is important the primary responsibility for social services Care for dependent elderly persons, fam- to stress, however, that the local authorities and the main responsibility for promoting citi- ily policy, activation, rehabilitation and are responsible for performing a considerable zens’ health and disease prevention. preventive measures. amount of Denmark’s welfare tasks. The area • Initiatives targeted at particular groups. of social matters is widely governed through Local self-government has traditionally been Persons with physical and mental disabili- legislation, but it is up to the local authorities to embedded in the Danish policy of mobilising and ties, socially excluded groups and groups assess the need for social services and, in that involving all players and citizens in society. A key at risk of social exclusion as well as some manner, ensure that public welfare services are element of Danish legislation in the social field of the initiatives targeted at mentally ill organised as efficiently as possible with respect is citizens’ possibility of having influence on how people and alcohol and drug addicts. for the citizen’s specific circumstances and their life and situation is defined by the authori- • The greater part of transfer payments: needs and in the interests of local conditions, ties. According to the legislation, consulting and Old-age pension, anticipatory pension, via public and private suppliers alike. advisory user councils must be set up to represent sickness benefits, maternity benefits, citizens’