Dynamics of Change in Poverty Measures amongst Social Service Users in Israel: A Comparison of Standard Care and a Poverty-Aware Programme. (4th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brand-Levi, Aila; Malul, Miki; Krumer-Nevo, Michal
• Is Part Of: British journal of social work. Volume 53:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2022-08-04
• Subjects: capabilities approach -- dynamics of change -- poverty -- poverty-aware -- social care -- social service departments; Social service -- Periodicals; Social workers -- Periodicals; 361
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcac142
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-3102

Abstract

Abstract: Although social service departments (SSDs) in Israel are the main institutions through which social workers provide social care to people in poverty, the dynamics between the multiple dimensions of poverty amongst service users (SUs) and the consequences of social care to these dynamics have not been systematically explored. The current study is the first study that aims to fill this gap by comparing multidimensional poverty amongst 159 SUs. The study compared two kinds of social care provided by the same SSDs: standard social care and a poverty-aware programme. Data were collected at two time points by telephone interviews and was analysed using independent samples t test, the paired-sample t test, the exact McNemar test for dichotomous variables, the Tukey test, the χ 2 test and linear regression. Findings indicate that SUs who were treated in the poverty-aware programme received more assistance in a larger range of areas and a significantly positive change was found amongst them in a variety of measures. The discussion explores the importance of expanding research on the contribution of SSD's social care in order to adapt public services to the needs of SUs and to make them a vehicle in the fight against poverty. Abstract : Social service departments (SSDs) in Israel are the main institutions through which social workers provide social care to people in poverty. However, the contribution of this care to the improvement of multiple dimensions of poverty amongst service users (SUs), such as income, housing, or debts, has never been systematically explored. Especially, there is no knowledge base regarding the consequences of the standard social care provided on poverty. This study aims to fill this lacuna by comparing two treatment groups: the first included SUs who received standard social care and the second included SUs treated through a unique poverty-aware programme. Findings indicate that SUs in the unique poverty-aware programme received a significantly higher level of assistance and their situation improved in a significantly greater number of dimensions. This finding is important to policy makers because it highlights the possibility of social care to improve multiple dimensions of poverty, even if not to illuminate it. Moreover, the findings support the importance of intensive and holistic treatment for people living in poverty, such as provided in the unique poverty-aware programme. Further research using stronger research design is needed in order to strengthen these findings.