Uninterrupted welfare services are important

In the time of Covid-19 and lockdown, the challenge is for local authorities to provide close-to-home services for residents, and for services for the elderly, disabled people and child protection, to name but a few. Rannveig Einarsdóttir, Head of the Family and Child Services Department for Hafnarfjörður, says it is crucial to keep the service as uninterrupted as possible.

The local newspaper Hafnfirðingur chatted with Rannveig.

Local authorities employ a large number of people in care and support, both in day services and round-the-clock care.. „These are the people we rely on in times of emergency. At Hafnarfjörður Municipality, as in other local authorities, a reorganisation and restructuring of services has taken place in order to meet the changed circumstances. The response cannot be thanked enough. Positivity, flexibility, responsibility and professionalism have been the absolute driving forces,“ says Rannveig. In addition, new approaches are being taken in the service, technological solutions are being utilised, new resources are emerging, and the staff's innovation and initiative are admirable.

^{The cousins Sjafn Jónasdóttir, a resident at Sólvangsveg 1, and Sara Björnsdóttir, a home-based support worker. Photo/OBÞ}

The town with its own guard unit

The Ministry of Social Affairs, the Chief Medical Officer and the Association of Local Authorities have jointly established a reserve corps for social services, to which 1,300 individuals have signed up. Rannveig says that in addition, the City of Hafnarfjörður has established its own reserve force that can cover in the municipality's social services, should absences and increased pressure arise due to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. „Staff from other departments and institutions of the municipality are signing up there. There is a consensus to support the service; everyone is on the same team and there is a spirit of unity.“

Reconstruction work awaits in the wake of Covid-19

Rannveig describes the situation as the nation being in the middle of a river, but continuing on undeterred. „We need to consider the recovery work after Covid. It is likely that child protection cases will increase as the situation progresses and in its aftermath. It has been shown that there is a risk of an increase in domestic violence cases, and it is therefore important to monitor this closely. A significant increase in unemployment is already a reality, and an increase in applications for financial assistance from local authorities can be expected.“ says Rannveig. In addition, social pressure led to unforeseen tasks. „Many important tasks lie ahead in the local authority's social services. They employ a strong and experienced workforce who we have great confidence in to carry out these tasks.“

An interview with Rannveig was published in Hafnfirðinginn on 28 April 2020.