Joint welfare services guard unit

Project to reduce service disruption for vulnerable groups due to Covid-19

The Ministry of Social Affairs has overall responsibility for the affairs of many of the most vulnerable groups in society, most notably people with disabilities and the elderly, but also matters concerning child protection. The social services of local authorities fall under the Ministry of Social Affairs, which oversees the provision of statutory services by local authorities. The tasks of the social service include, among other things, general social advice, financial assistance, housing matters, issues concerning the elderly, social home care, matters relating to disabled people, and issues concerning children and young people, including work in accordance with the Child Protection Act. There are also voluntary organisations, businesses and institutions that provide services and advice to individuals belonging to the aforementioned groups.

In light of recent events concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and based on information currently available from the Chief Medical Officer, the spread of the virus could lead to difficulties in the provision of services and create a sudden strain on certain areas. It is important that all organisations providing services and advice to individuals have an action plan to minimise transmission between people, but also to minimise service disruption, particularly for the most vulnerable groups in society.

Joint Response Team on Services for Vulnerable Groups

In light of the above, the Minister for Social Affairs and Children, the Minister for Transport and Local Government, and the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Icelandic Local Authorities, have established Response team on services for vulnerable groups in cooperation with Civil Protection. The response team is composed of representatives of the aforementioned bodies, along with representatives from local authorities and the Quality and Oversight Authority for Social Services and Child Protection. The team will work in close cooperation with organisations that advocate for and/or provide services to vulnerable groups. The team's role is to collect and share information, assess any situation that may arise and, where appropriate, respond to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on critical national service systems, including where it becomes necessary to withhold minimum services from certain groups or individuals for either a short or long period. The aim is to ensure, as far as possible, that essential services are provided to those who need them most.

In parallel with these measures, the government and local authorities have decided to establish a contingency fund which will, if necessary, provide the necessary scope for action due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on social services, as well as on more specialised services for vulnerable groups.

Social Services Back-up Team

It is foreseeable that service providers who deliver essential services to vulnerable groups will soon have to face staffing shortages due to the COVID-19 virus. For this reason, the signatories to this statement have decided to follow the example of health authorities, who recently established a health service reserve force, and to set up a so-called welfare service reserve force where individuals can register if they are able to volunteer on a temporary basis.bound, either full-time or part-time. We are looking for people who can work in services for disabled people, the elderly, the homeless, children with special support needs, child protection, and financial assistance. Experience of working in the social care sector is an advantage but not a requirement. The requirements for the role will vary depending on the specific position.